Every long-running series is bound to have an off week — and for Chicago Fire, that moment arrived in Season 13, Episode 5, titled “Down the Rabbit Hole.” While not a total misfire, the episode marks a low point for a season that’s otherwise been burning hot, weighed down by a tired love triangle, underwhelming casework, and frustrating character regression.
Let’s break it down.
🔥 Stellaride Reunited, but the Case Lacks Heat
On paper, “Down the Rabbit Hole” boasts one of the episode’s biggest selling points: the return of the Stellaride team in action. Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) team up once again — this time to investigate a sketchy trucking company tied to a string of suspicious accidents.
While it’s always a treat to see Severide and Kidd working together — their professional chemistry often rivals their romantic one — the actual case they’re pursuing fizzles out fast. From the moment trucking boss Maddox enters the frame with cartoon-villain aggression, it’s clear who the antagonist is. The only question is how long it’ll take for Stella to get him nailed to the wall.
The procedural beats are familiar: a reluctant witness (Lisa), a bureaucracy that can’t help (the Department of Transportation), and a last-minute rescue (her son Michael). It’s textbook Chicago Fire, but without the emotional punch or urgency of more memorable arcs.
That said, one line delivers a standout moment: Chief Dom Pascal calling Stella “a hell of a pain in the ass” — to her husband, no less. It’s funny, biting, and perfectly captures what makes Stella such a dynamic force. Miranda Rae Mayo continues to bring her A-game, even when the plot doesn’t quite rise to her level.
🚨 Violet and Carver: When a Love Triangle Becomes a Square
Where Chicago Fire really stumbles this week is in the subplot featuring Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith), Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), and Carver’s increasingly manipulative girlfriend Tori. What began as a promisingly messy entanglement has devolved into an exhausting soap opera that feels out of place in the high-stakes world of Firehouse 51.
After recovering a previously deleted text from Violet (thanks to Ritter’s tech skills), Carver shows up at her birthday party — only for Tori to crash it. What follows is a frustrating sequence of non-committal excuses, half-hearted confrontations, and zero character growth.
Carver, who should be furious with Tori for her gaslighting and quick to defend Violet’s character, instead wavers awkwardly between the two women — before ultimately returning to make out with Tori. It’s not a good look, and it’s not good storytelling.
To make matters worse, the show awkwardly introduces Flynn, a charming stranger who helps during a rescue and then shows up at the firehouse to ask Violet out for coffee. He feels less like a real character and more like a plot device — a placeholder clearly designed to delay or derail whatever the writers plan (or don’t plan) for Violet and Carver. It’s giving strong Naomi Graham vibes — Chicago Fire fans will remember the Season 7 detour that kept Casey and Brett apart. This feels like more of the same.
At this point, the question isn’t “Will Violet and Carver end up together?” It’s “Do we still care if they do?”
🎙️ Herrmann’s Comic Crusade Steals the Show
Where this episode succeeds is in the comedy department, thanks once again to the always-reliable David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann. His latest mission? Rallying the firehouse for better radios — and dragging the newest Engine member along for the ride.
It’s classic Herrmann: blustery, passionate, and hilarious. His chemistry with Kylie (Katelyn Shennett) continues to shine, and there’s a surprising amount of charm in the subplot as she seeks guidance from Ritter (Daniel Kyri) about how far to go with Herrmann’s cause.
While the “Herrmann takes on a crusade” trope is well-worn at this point, it still works — in part because of the actor’s charisma, but also because the show wisely uses it to reintegrate Kylie into the firehouse in a new way. She’s not just the chief’s assistant anymore — she’s part of the team.
🚪 So… Have Violet and Carver Worn Out Their Welcome?
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Chicago Fire doesn’t quite know what to do with Violet and Carver. After some compelling tension in earlier seasons, their dynamic has stalled in a quagmire of miscommunication, recycled tropes, and contrived obstacles. And with new characters being added to the mix seemingly for the sake of delaying resolution, the storyline is wearing thin — fast.
They’re both talented, fan-favorite characters, but if the writers can’t offer them meaningful arcs beyond messy romance, maybe it’s time for a reset — or for one (or both) of them to take a step back and find growth outside of their love lives.
Verdict: Lukewarm at Best
“Down the Rabbit Hole” isn’t a disaster, but it’s a frustrating reminder of how even great shows can falter when they lose focus. With an underwhelming case-of-the-week, a meandering romantic subplot, and only a few bright spots in the comedic beats, this episode is far from Chicago Fire at its best.
Final Grade: C+
🔥 Stellaride moments are solid, but the Violet-Carver drama desperately needs fresh direction.
