A Final Kiss, a New Beginning? How a “Spoil” Hints at Carver and Violet’s ‘Chicago Fire’ Fate
The Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire gave fans a long-awaited moment of pure joy and hope. After a season of agonizing romantic tension, Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) and Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) finally shared a passionate kiss and a mutual declaration of love. It was a beautiful, emotional payoff for a storyline that had been building for two seasons. However, the happiness was short-lived, as news had already broken that Carver’s character would not be returning as a series regular for Season 14. This created a dramatic cliffhanger, leaving fans to wonder: did their rekindled romance even have a chance? But now, an accidental “spoil” from a fellow cast member and subsequent comments from the showrunner have provided a telling glimpse into what the future holds for this beloved couple.
The Cliffhanger: A Kiss, a Departure, and a Question Mark
The romance between Carver and Violet was a quintessential slow burn. It began as a tense, almost hostile professional relationship that slowly evolved into a deep friendship, then a “will-they/won’t-they” romantic tease. Violet’s painful history with the tragic death of her former love interest, Evan Hawkins, made her hesitant to open her heart again. Carver’s own struggles with alcoholism and his troubled past made him wary of getting too close. Their journey was a complex and rewarding one for viewers to witness.
The Season 13 finale, “Never Say Goodbye,” was a masterclass in emotional whiplash. The episode saw Carver, who had been on a personal journey toward sobriety and recovery, tell Violet that he had applied for a transfer to the Denver Fire Department for a fresh start. This news, delivered after a beautiful moment of vulnerability, seemed to be the final nail in the coffin for their romance. But in the final moments of the episode, a text from Carver led Violet to his car, where he declared his love for her, and they shared a passionate kiss that left fans in a state of suspended animation.
This cliffhanger was a classic move by Chicago Fire writers, but it was made all the more gut-wrenching by the real-world news that Jake Lockett was leaving the show. The public knew that the actor was departing, but the characters did not, creating a painful dramatic irony for the audience. The central question became: would the show follow through with Carver’s departure, or would his final act of love be enough to make him stay? The answer, it seems, has been inadvertently revealed.
The “Accidental” Spoil and Its Aftermath
The “spoil” in question came from Jocelyn Hudon, who plays Violet’s paramedic partner, Lizzie Novak. In an interview following the finale, she was asked about her character’s feelings on the Carver-Violet romance. Hudon, in a seemingly innocent comment, referred to Carver’s departure not as a possibility, but as a certainty. “Yeah, I don’t know what’s going to happen when [Carver] leaves,” she said, using “when” instead of “if.” This simple word choice was all it took for fans to connect the dots. It confirmed that despite the emotionally charged final scene, Carver’s departure was indeed happening, and Violet would be left to deal with the aftermath.
This revelation, while disappointing to fans of the couple, was not a complete surprise. The show had been setting up a multi-character exodus for Season 14, reportedly due to budget cuts. The departures of Carver, Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri), and Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) were a difficult but necessary move for the show’s creative team. However, the way it was handled—by giving Carver and Violet a beautiful, albeit tragic, final moment—was a smart move. It ensured that their storyline felt complete, even if their romance was cut short.
The showrunner, Andrea Newman, later weighed in on the matter, clarifying that while Jake Lockett would no longer be a series regular, his character’s story was not necessarily over. “We may not have Carver full-time next season, but we may have him for a bunch of it too,” Newman said, “and I think there’s a lot left to figure out between [Violet and Carver].” This comment, rather than refuting the spoil, actually confirms it while also leaving the door open for a potential return. It suggests that while Carver has indeed left Firehouse 51 for Denver, his story with Violet is far from finished.
The Poignant Reality: A Romance That Was Never Meant to Be
The accidental spoil and the subsequent comments from the showrunner paint a clear and poignant picture of Carver and Violet’s relationship. It was a romance that was always destined to be a rollercoaster, a temporary, but deeply meaningful, moment in their lives. The show’s writers seem to have made the deliberate choice to give them a “real” ending, even if it was a sad one, rather than leaving their romance in a perpetual state of “will-they/won’t-they.”
This decision is a testament to the show’s commitment to character-driven storytelling. They could have easily had Carver stay, but it would have undermined his entire character arc in Season 13, which was about his journey to self-improvement and his need for a fresh start. The show is choosing to honor his character’s journey, even if it means breaking up a beloved couple.
For Violet, this breakup is another painful chapter in her love life. She has now experienced love, loss, and a difficult long-distance relationship. The Carver departure, while heartbreaking, is an opportunity for her to grow as a character. It will force her to confront her own desires and limitations, and it will allow her to become a more independent and resilient character. The show is not just ending a relationship; it is setting up a new chapter for one of its most important characters.
The Path Forward: A Legacy of Love and Loss
The “spoil” about Carver’s departure is not a disaster; it’s a gift. It gives fans a sense of closure and a clear understanding of what to expect in Season 14. The show will likely address the aftermath of the final kiss in the premiere episode, and it will be a deeply emotional moment. The showrunner has promised that the new season will be all about “shakeups and how everybody reacts,” and the Carver-Violet storyline will be a central part of that.
The legacy of their romance will be one of love and loss, a beautiful but ultimately tragic story of two people who found each other at the wrong time. It is a reality that is far more compelling and honest than a simple “happily ever after.” The accidental “spoil” from Jocelyn Hudon, and the subsequent clarification from Steven D. Binder, did not ruin the show. It simply confirmed what many fans had suspected, and in doing so, it has made the emotional weight of Carver’s departure all the more powerful.
