Season 12 of Chicago Fire blazed to an emotional finish with “Never Say Goodbye,” an aptly titled finale that tackled themes of transition, legacy, and unresolved tension. While no major characters met a tragic end (a rarity for the franchise), nearly everyone at Firehouse 51 faced a turning point—whether it was personal, professional, or both.
From promotions and surprise family revelations to potential breakups and career shakeups, here’s everything that went down—and what it might mean for Season 13, which premieres September 25.
🧯 Wallace Boden Moves On — But Not Away
Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker), the heart and spine of Firehouse 51 for over a decade, makes a career-defining move in the finale. After an emotionally charged call involving a construction foreman’s fatal sacrifice, Boden is inspired to stop playing it safe and finally apply for the Deputy Commissioner role—despite his deep-rooted loyalty to his team.
Backed by Deputy Commissioner Gloria Hill (J. Nicole Brooks) and a glowing endorsement from Stella Kidd, Boden lands the job. His decision is a bittersweet moment—especially as he delivers a heartfelt goodbye to his team. But don’t worry, fans: while Boden steps down as chief, he’s not stepping off the show entirely. Expect to see him in a recurring role next season.
The bigger question? Who will fill his shoes at Firehouse 51.
👊 Brotherhood & Blood: The Severide Family Tree Expands
Just when fans thought they knew everything about Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), Chicago Fire adds another twist. It turns out that new recruit Jack Damon (Michael Bradway)—who made waves this season with his impulsive, sometimes volatile behavior—is actually Severide’s half-brother.
After a violent altercation during a domestic abuse call, Damon confides in Severide about his own childhood trauma at the hands of Benny Severide, revealing that he purposely joined 51 to connect with his estranged sibling.
It’s a classic Fire move: hidden family drama with emotional weight. Now the ball is in Severide’s court—will he accept Damon as family, or will this new revelation add strain to his already complicated life?
👶 Stella & Severide: Are Babies on the Horizon?
In an uncharacteristically tender moment, Severide shares with Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) his growing desire to start a family. Sparked by a photo of Sylvie Brett’s newly adopted daughter Julia, the conversation catches Kidd off guard.
Her reaction? Stunned silence—and a request for time. Between Severide’s ongoing work with the ATF and Kidd’s leadership of Girls on Fire, neither of them is exactly living a calm, baby-ready life. But with Season 13 looming, the “baby question” will likely return. Will they take the plunge—or push parenthood to the back burner?
💔 Violet and Carver: On the Rocks?
It wouldn’t be a Chicago Fire finale without romantic fallout, and this time it’s Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) hitting a rough patch.
After spending the night at Violet’s place—and noticing lingering photos of her late love, Evan Hawkins—Carver begins to unravel. Tensions spike after the restaurant fire brawl, and a jealous misunderstanding leads Violet to think he might have feelings for Stella. Though he later confesses that she is the one he loves, his emotional baggage and her unresolved grief cause a painful rift.
Carver takes a furlough, ignores Violet’s calls, and leaves fans wondering if this couple is headed for reconciliation or a permanent split.
🪑 Who Will Be the Next Chief?
With Boden’s promotion, Firehouse 51 faces a leadership vacuum. Boden clearly has Chris Herrmann (David Eigenberg) in mind as his successor, but Herrmann isn’t so sure. While he’s hesitant about whether he has what it takes, the finale sees him beginning to warm to the idea.
However, NBC’s casting call for a new character—Dom Pascal, a tough-talking Miami transplant—suggests that Herrmann may not get the job after all. If Pascal enters the picture, fans can expect friction with the tight-knit 51 crew.
And Herrmann isn’t the only one eyeing a promotion—Randy “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) reveals plans to take the lieutenant’s exam, potentially shaking up the hierarchy even more.
🌴 Goodbye, Brett & Casey
While most of the drama stays in Chicago, two of the show’s most beloved characters—Sylvie Brett and Matt Casey—have quietly made their exit. The couple settles down on the West Coast with their adopted daughter Julia, beginning a new chapter far from the sirens and smoke of Firehouse 51.
Their send-off might have lacked fireworks, but it felt earned—and offered a hopeful future for two characters who’ve endured so much over the years.
🔥 What’s Next?
Season 12 left fans with plenty of cliffhangers:
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Will Herrmann rise to the challenge, or be passed over for an outsider?
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Can Violet and Carver salvage their relationship?
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Will Severide and Kidd step into parenthood—or step away from each other?
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And how will Jack Damon’s identity reshape the firehouse dynamics?
As Chicago Fire charges into Season 13, it’s clear the heat isn’t letting up anytime soon. One thing’s for sure: Firehouse 51 is evolving, and the sparks are only getting brighter.
