The emotional landscape of NBC’s Chicago Fire has been notably strained ever since Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) announced her temporary leave of absence from Firehouse 51. Kidd’s selfless mission to accompany her foster son, Isaiah, and his ailing mother to a specialized facility in Cleveland, Ohio, has left a gaping hole on Truck 81 and, more importantly, beside her husband, Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney).
As the show rapidly approaches its Season 14 Fall Finale, the focus has been squarely on Kidd’s absence and the impact it’s having on the already fragile Stellaride marriage. However, behind the scenes and within the current narrative threads, a mounting concern suggests that Stella Kidd might not be the only familiar face missing from the dramatic mid-season closer. Subtle hints and strategic plot devices point toward the potential temporary absence of another key character, raising the stakes and doubling down on the emotional turmoil at the already beleaguered Firehouse 51.
The potential double absence would not only test the remaining members of the house but would strategically clear the board for a major plot line focusing on the leadership vacuum and the rising emotional stress of the remaining firefighters.
💔 The Confirmed Absence: Stella Kidd’s Mission
Stella Kidd’s departure in Season 14, Episode 6, “Broken Things,” was a necessary, strategic move designed to coincide with the show’s winter production break, minimizing her time off-screen. While her return is expected in the mid-season premiere in January, her absence during the pivotal Fall Finale episodes is a guarantee.
The Stellaride Strain
Kidd’s absence is the primary source of emotional conflict.
- Severide’s Solitude: Kelly Severide is left alone to deal with the pressure of leading Rescue Squad 3 while his wife is hundreds of miles away. The storyline directly challenges the stability of the Stellaride marriage, forcing them to rely entirely on trust and communication—qualities that have been tested before.
- Truck 81’s Leadership: Her position on Truck 81 is left in temporary hands, further disrupting the well-oiled machine of Firehouse 51 and adding strain to the shifts.
While expected, Kidd’s confirmed absence acts as the primary emotional stressor heading into the finale, creating a scenario where any subsequent departure would amplify the feeling of instability.
🧐 The Second Potential Absence: Chief Wallace Boden
The most likely candidate to be missing alongside Stella Kidd in the Season 14 Fall Finale is none other than Battalion Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). While the veteran actor remains a dedicated member of the cast, recent plot developments and the character’s long-running ambition suggest a temporary withdrawal is highly plausible.
The Political Promotion
Chief Boden has been flirting with a major political promotion within the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) for several seasons, often being called upon for advisory roles or to stand in as Deputy Commissioner.
- The Narrative Hook: The show frequently uses Boden’s political ascent as a narrative device to create pressure and instability back at Firehouse 51. A scenario where Boden is suddenly called away to Springfield or City Hall for a lengthy interview, advisory committee, or temporary assignment, perhaps in response to a major city crisis, is a classic Chicago Fire move.
- Clearing the Command: Strategically, Boden’s absence would be a masterstroke. With both the Lieutenant of Truck 81 (Kidd) and the Battalion Chief (Boden) gone, the leadership vacuum would be complete. This would force a new, temporary leader to step up and manage the house during a major emergency, allowing the writers to test a different character’s ability to command under pressure.
Testing the Others
If Boden were to be called away, the mantle of command would likely fall to the senior Lieutenant, either Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) or possibly Kelly Severide, temporarily elevating one of them to acting Battalion Chief for the finale’s high-stakes emergency. This provides high-stakes professional drama exactly when the season needs it most.
🤯 The Unthinkable Option: Kelly Severide’s Relapse
While highly unlikely to be permanent, a dark but narratively compelling possibility involves Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) himself. His absence would create the single greatest emotional explosion in the finale.
The Pressure Cooker
With Kidd gone, Severide is on an emotional island. The pressure of Truck 81’s temporary instability, the responsibility of Squad 3, and the intense stress of the long-distance relationship could push the typically stoic Severide to his breaking point.
- The Arson Investigation: If Severide were to leave—even briefly—it would likely be due to his uncontrolled obsession with a major arson case. He might go rogue, pursuing a case outside of official CFD channels, leading to a professional suspension or a personal breakdown that sees him take time off.
- Echoes of the Past: While devastating, a temporary professional or emotional relapse would fulfill the fears of fans who remember his impulsive decisions and past emotional struggles. It would be the ultimate test of the Stellaride bond if Kidd returned only to find Severide spiraling.
The potential for a high-stakes, though temporary, suspension or self-imposed leave for Severide cannot be entirely ruled out, as it would provide the ultimate emotional mid-season cliffhanger.
🔑 Conclusion: Setting the Stage for the Mid-Season Cliffhanger
As Chicago Fire barrels toward its Season 14 Fall Finale, the confirmed absence of Stella Kidd is already weighing heavily on Firehouse 51. However, the narrative threads surrounding both Chief Wallace Boden and, less likely, Kelly Severide, suggest that the show may be clearing the command structure for a reason.
The most plausible scenario is a temporary assignment for Chief Boden, leaving the house without its two primary leaders during a major emergency. This double absence—Kidd and Boden—would effectively strip Firehouse 51 of its anchors, maximizing the instability and forcing the remaining crew members to face the finale’s crisis completely on their own.
Whether it’s a political promotion for Boden or a personal breakdown for Severide, the stage is set for a Fall Finale defined not just by the tragedy of fire, but by the overwhelming crisis of leadership and emotional turmoil. Firehouse 51 will enter the hiatus severely shorthanded, guaranteeing a dramatic and necessary return for its missing members in the new year.
