Jesse Spencer’s Chicago Fire Return Was Perfect – Except for One Scene
From the moment Jesse Spencer left Chicago Fire, audiences have clamored for his character Matthew Casey to come back. They see him as the heart of the NBC series — which makes even more sense after Season 11, Episode 18, “Danger Is All Around.” Despite stepping away from a series regular role, Spencer has kindly returned twice when the show has needed him. First Casey appeared in the Season 10 finale for Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd’s long-awaited wedding, and now in Season 11 he’s back to help Firehouse 51 (and the fans) in Severide’s absence.
Spencer’s care for the show is reciprocated by the writers giving him a very strong episode to work with. “Danger Is All Around” puts Casey at the forefront both professionally and personally, but also has meaningful character development for Firehouse 51’s former captain. It’s not just an episode to piggyback off viewers’ love for Spencer. There’s just about everything that One Chicago fans could want, and the only thing that stops it from being one of the best Season 11 episodes is a scene that will cause plenty of debate.
Chicago Fire Gave Casey All the Scenes Fans Needed
Chicago Fire has forever been willing to bring characters back, but not always great at writing their returns. When Casey’s ex-wife Gabriela Dawson returned in Season 8, it was wonderful to see Monica Raymund but Dawson didn’t have as much story as she deserved. Her whole plot was about Dawson and Casey’s unresolved feelings for each other. There was barely any screen time between Dawson and anyone else at 51. It was downright shocking that fans didn’t get a meaningful interaction between Dawson and Sylvie Brett, since the two were best friends and Brett was already developing her own romantic tension with Casey.
In contrast, “Danger Is All Around” gives Casey a full spectrum of scenes to play. When he returns to the firehouse, he gets to talk to most of the team, with the obvious exception of Severide. And while Casey not being with Severide is disappointing, the show acknowledges that through Stella. There’s a scene just between Casey and Joe Cruz, with Casey passing on some wisdom to a friend like he’s done so many times before. He gets to make a stop at Molly’s, which is just as iconic a Chicago Fire location as the firehouse. He even has one more action scene, as Stella suggests that Casey join his old team on a call — albeit as its most overqualified candidate in history.
Most importantly for longtime viewers, the episode takes two scenes to acknowledge the demise of Casey and Brett’s relationship. Many fans were frustrated that their breakup happened over the phone and not on-screen, especially when Chicago Fire had Spencer appear in the prior episode. “Danger Is All Around” has the breakup moment that should have happened in Season 10, and it’s handled very well, with the two clearly still caring for one another and both showing their hurt in different ways. It’s a turning point that the characters can move on from, even if it’s not complete closure. Unfortunately, another scene in the episode has the opposite effect.
Is Jesse Spencer Returning to Chicago Fire?
Given the constant pleas for Jesse Spencer to return to Chicago Fire, the conversation between Casey and Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden will definitely stir up the fan base. After Casey speaks about how Chicago still feels like home, Boden point-blank asks him “So when are you coming back?” In-universe, this is a valid question, given that Casey’s obligations in Portland aren’t supposed to be permanent. However, that question plays right into the hopes of all the viewers asking the same thing. There will likely be a few who interpret the scene as Chicago Fire suggesting that Spencer can come back to the show permanently — when there’s nothing official in the works.
With that in mind, it would have been better not having Boden ask at all. Firehouse 51 not being the same without Matthew Casey is clearly shown in a number of other ways throughout the episode. Brett walks home crying after they part company, which demonstrates that she still loves him, and Casey reveals to Stella that he hasn’t moved on either. Blake Gallo getting encouragement from Casey resonates much more than his subsequent conversation with Sam Carver, because Casey brought Gallo to 51 and is just a more mentoring figure. The episode highlights how much Casey means to everyone — including the fans. While there’s also no proof that Spencer’s visit was meant to make up for Taylor Kinney’s leave of absence, it has that effect. The only person who could make viewers forget about Severide being gone is Casey.
Boden asking about Casey’s return sets up expectations that he will return to his old position. Spencer may well guest star again, since he’s already made two appearances — but given his reasons for leaving Chicago Fire, it’s no surprise that he’s gunshy about coming back full-time. The actor told TVLine that “In terms of like long-term or something, I don’t think so.” So that tease is the only thing that keeps Matthew Casey’s return from being perfect. Between providing nearly everything that viewers want and illustrating how much of an impact he still has, “Danger Is All Around” is a wonderful salute to both Casey and Jesse Spencer.
