After twelve years of blazing rescues and emotional gut punches, Chicago Fire shows no signs of cooling down. Season 14 officially premieres Wednesday, October 1 on NBC, and fans are already counting down the days. Last season delivered major departures, a surprise pregnancy, and a new chief at the helm of Firehouse 51 — but it also left plenty of dangling storylines and unresolved emotions.
So, what does the show need to do to keep its momentum? ENTERT breaks down seven arcs that Season 14 must deliver on to keep Chicago Fire burning bright.
1. Stellaride: Parenthood, But With Firehouse Roots
Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and her husband, Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), have long been the emotional anchors of the series. After years of setbacks, the Season 13 finale revealed that Stella is pregnant. It’s a joyous twist, but also a risky one — Chicago Fire has to balance the couple’s personal life with the team dynamic that defines the show.
The danger here is isolation: too much of their story has been confined to their apartment rather than the firehouse. Season 14 needs to weave Stellaride’s impending parenthood back into Firehouse 51’s found-family fabric, showing how everyone rallies around them as their lives change.
2. Chief Dom Pascal: From Outsider to Leader
Boden’s (Eamonn Walker) promotion to Deputy Commissioner left Firehouse 51 under the command of Battalion Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). His rocky introduction was colored by personal tragedy, including his wife’s death and a cloud of suspicion that nearly destroyed his career.
By the end of Season 13, however, Pascal had earned his place. Season 14 should cement him as a true leader, building trust with the team and proving he’s not just “Boden’s replacement” but a character worthy of his own legacy.
3. Sam Carver’s Exit — and Its Impact
Jake Lockett’s departure as Sam Carver broke fans’ hearts, especially after his raw, emotional final moments with Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith). His decision to leave Chicago for Denver to battle his demons made sense, but it left Violet in turmoil.
Season 14 should honor Carver’s absence without erasing him. A few well-placed updates — a phone call, a mention from Violet — would keep the door open for his possible return down the road.
4. Violet Mikami: Healing Before Romance
Violet has endured unbearable loss: the death of Evan Hawkins, the departure of her close friends Blake Gallo and Sylvie Brett, and now Carver’s goodbye. Season 14 should give her space to grieve and grow rather than rushing her into a new relationship.
As the new Paramedic in Charge, Violet has the chance to step into true leadership, mentoring younger recruits while processing her own grief. A storyline that centers her resilience — rather than just her love life — would be a refreshing change.
5. Darren Ritter: A Proper Goodbye
Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter has been an underused gem for years. As Chicago Fire’s first Black, queer firefighter, his character carried enormous potential, but often remained in the background. Thankfully, Season 14 will give Ritter a proper on-screen exit.
Fans deserve a farewell that honors his legacy, showcases his courage, and leaves the door open for a future return. Ritter deserves a finale that reflects both the barriers he broke and the warmth he brought to Firehouse 51.
6. Hermann: Back to the Basics
Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) has always been the wise-cracking, big-hearted soul of the firehouse. His decision to step back from pursuing a captain’s role in Season 13 proved he belongs in the thick of the action, not behind a desk.
Season 14 should lean into that energy — Hermann mentoring rookies, trading banter with Mouch, and offering that trademark mix of humor and heart. It’s time to bring back the Hermann who grounds 51 with everyday heroism.
7. Mouch: A Late-Blooming Leader
With Hermann stepping down from the captain’s test, Randy “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) now has a rare chance to step up. Watching the veteran firefighter chase new goals after more than a decade on the job was one of Season 13’s brightest spots.
Season 14 should give Mouch room to grow into leadership while keeping his signature humor intact. Age is just a number at Firehouse 51, and Mouch is proof that you’re never too old to aim higher.
The Bottom Line
Chicago Fire thrives when it blends pulse-pounding rescues with deeply human storytelling. Season 13 closed chapters but opened plenty of doors — from Stellaride’s pregnancy to Pascal’s leadership and Violet’s uncertain future.
As Season 14 dawns, Firehouse 51 is a family in transition. If the writers can tie these arcs back to the core theme of resilience and belonging, the show could find itself not just surviving into its 14th year — but thriving.
