A Premature Pairing: Why Chicago Fire‘s Next Romance Could Be a Devastating Mistake
The halls of Firehouse 51 are quieter than they’ve been in years. The Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire left fans reeling not from a dramatic cliffhanger, but from the quiet, unceremonious departures of several key characters. The exits of Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter), Jake Lockett (Sam Carver), and Michael Bradway (Jack Damon) have left a significant void in the firehouse’s roster. As the show heads into Season 14, speculation is swirling about how the writers will fill these gaps, with many anticipating a new romantic pairing. However, forcing two characters together so soon after a major shakeup would be a devastating mistake, undermining the show’s core strength and alienating a devoted fan base.
Chicago Fire has always excelled at creating organic, slow-burn relationships. Think of the years-long journey of Casey and Brett, or the slow-building, high-stakes romance of Severide and Kidd. These pairings worked because they were earned. They were built on shared trauma, mutual respect, and a deep, undeniable connection forged over countless calls. A new romance, especially one introduced to fill a void left by a shocking exit, would feel rushed, inorganic, and disrespectful to the characters and the history the show has built.
The Context of Loss: An Unhealed Firehouse
The departures of Carver, Ritter, and Damon were not simple cast exits; they were narrative failures that left many storylines unresolved.
- Sam Carver’s Exit: His departure is perhaps the most frustrating example. His budding romance with Violet Mikami was a central plot point, culminating in a beautiful confession of love in the finale. The news of actor Jake Lockett’s departure after this emotional peak renders the entire storyline moot. The last thing Violet needs in Season 14 is to be immediately paired with someone new. She needs time to process the emotional fallout of a relationship that was cut short. Rushing her into a new romance would be a disservice to her character, making her feel like an interchangeable love interest rather than a complex individual with her own emotional journey.
- Darren Ritter’s Exit: Ritter’s departure also leaves a significant gap. As one of the long-standing members of the “new generation,” his character was a moral compass and a quiet heart for the firehouse. His absence, combined with Carver’s, leaves a palpable void. The show needs to focus on healing the team’s dynamic, not on creating new romantic subplots. A new relationship would distract from the much-needed exploration of how the remaining characters, like Violet and Blake Gallo, cope with losing their closest friends.
A History of Organic Romance vs. Rushed Pairings
The show’s most successful relationships have always been a marathon, not a sprint. The bond between Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd was built over many seasons, surviving career changes, rivalries, and emotional baggage. Their dynamic was rooted in friendship before it ever became romantic. Similarly, the long, winding road of Matt Casey and Sylvie Brett‘s relationship was what made it so compelling. We watched them grow as individuals and as partners, their love story unfolding over years of professional and personal challenges.
In contrast, a new romance introduced immediately after a series of exits would feel like a cheap attempt to create a new “Brettsey” or “Stellaride” overnight. The audience would see it for what it is: a narrative patch, not a genuine connection. It would lack the history, the shared glances, and the deep understanding that made the show’s other relationships so powerful. It would feel like a forced attempt to manufacture chemistry, rather than letting it develop naturally.
The Perils of the “Rebound” Romance
Rushing into a new relationship for any of the remaining characters would be a catastrophic mistake, especially for those most affected by the recent exits.
- The Violet Problem: Violet, in particular, should not be the subject of a new romance. She has just lost her partner on Ambulance 61 (Brett) and her primary love interest (Carver). She is in a period of intense personal and professional transition. Pairing her with a new character, even if they have great on-screen chemistry, would feel like a rebound. It would tell the audience that her relationship with Carver didn’t matter, and that her grief is something to be quickly moved on from. Her story is now about finding her footing as the head of Ambulance 61 and rebuilding her personal life, not about finding a new boyfriend.
- The Newcomer’s Dilemma: If a new character is brought in to fill a spot on Truck or Squad, forcing a romance on them from the get-go would be a disservice. A new firefighter should be given the space to integrate into the team, to build trust, and to prove their worth. Turning them into an immediate love interest would overshadow their professional arc and make them feel one-dimensional. The focus should be on their skills, their personality, and their place within the team dynamic—not on who they’re going to date.
What Chicago Fire Should Do Instead
Instead of trying to force a new romance, Season 14 should focus on the following:
- Healing the Team: The show needs to acknowledge the emotional impact of the recent exits. We need to see the remaining characters, particularly Violet and Gallo, process their grief and find new ways to connect. The focus should be on their friendships, their professional growth, and their shared bonds as a found family.
- Strengthening Existing Bonds: The show can take this opportunity to deepen the relationships between existing characters. We need more scenes of Severide and Kidd as a couple, more of Herrmann mentoring the younger firefighters, and more of the classic banter that makes Firehouse 51 feel like home. The solution to a cast departure is to double down on the characters who are still there, not to bring in new ones to serve as placeholders.
- Building New Friendships: Instead of a romance, the show could introduce new platonic friendships. A new firefighter could be a new confidant for someone who has lost theirs. This would be a more realistic and emotionally resonant way to fill the void and build a new foundation for the show’s future.
The history of Chicago Fire is a history of family, of brotherhood, and of a team that is stronger together. A new, rushed romance would be a betrayal of that history. It would tell the audience that the show is prioritizing quick emotional fixes over genuine, well-earned storytelling. In the wake of a truly devastating cast exit, the only right path forward for Chicago Fire is to let its characters grieve, to let them heal, and to let a new dynamic grow slowly, and in its own time. The fire is still burning, but a rushed new romance would only smother it.
