Dom Pascal, who replaced Chief Wallace Boden in Chicago Fire season 13, immediately angered Firehouse 51, and for good reason. Eammon Walker left the franchise in the finale of Chicago Fire season 12. By then, Firehouse 51 had lost several key members of the team, such as Blake Gallo and Sylvie Brett. However, considering the impact Boden had on the show, his departure was Chicago Fire’s biggest loss. Fortunately for the character, though, he got a happy send-off, as Boden left Firehouse 51 to take on a much larger role in CFD.
For what it’s worth, whoever replaces Chief Boden on Firehouse 51 will have a hard time living up to his legacy. Not only was he a principled and effective leader, but he was also well-liked by Kelly Severide and the rest of the team. So even with plans to install Christopher Hermann as his successor, Lieutenant Engine 81 is still going to be in trouble. With that said, it would be an understatement to say that Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal has a lot of work to do. Unfortunately, he seems intent on upping the ante with his attitude.
The first episode of Chicago Fire season 13, “Monster in the Field,” focuses on Pascal becoming the new leader of Firehouse 51. Not much is revealed about him, but the trip shares relevant information about the new character, not to mention planting plot seeds for his intriguing past. As it turns out, Pascal began his firefighting career in Chicago but spent the last few years in Miami. He moved back to the Windy City to work on his marital issues.
Although the team tries to accept him as their new leader, Pascal seems determined to make waves from the get-go.
However, regardless of his personal life, it’s clear that he’s not Chief Boden. Although the team tries to accept him as their new leader, Pascal seems determined to make waves from the get-go. His initial conversation with Hermann is peppered with unnecessary subtext. Pascal continues his shift by instituting a no-cellphone rule during team meals, explaining that it will allow them to bond, despite having been together for years. He also forces his Lieutenants to give verbal reports. All of that is in addition to warning Severide about working with his wife, Stella Kidd.
Suffice it to say, Pascal is primed to be antagonistic in Chicago Fire season 13 for no reason at all. He’s actually trying to differentiate himself from Chief Boden, but he could have done it better. It would have made his job much easier. However, while Pascal himself has no reason to act this way, his brutal behavior may have something to do with how Chicago Fire season 13 needs to set up the story and Boden’s new role.
With Boden winning the election and becoming the new Deputy Commissioner, he has significantly expanded his reach within the CFD. While he was already a prominent figure in the organization before, this time, he actually has the power to make big changes. Since Firehouse 51 is known to have a special place in his heart, Severide and the rest are somewhat shielded from any political attacks because everyone knows Boden has their back. This is one of the biggest recurring storylines in Chicago Fire, but they can’t do it now because of the current state of the show.
While it sounds great to think that Boden’s replacement will come in and be instantly likable, it’s detrimental to Chicago FIre’s storytelling because it thrives on drama.
With that in mind, the writers now have to create a new source of drama. Since they can’t rely on external conflict to deliver that, and any internal fighting involving established members of the team is not only boring but also tenuous, since they’ll patch things up anyway, they’re looking to Pascal to provide that. While it sounds great to think that Boden’s replacement will come in and be instantly likable, it’s detrimental to Chicago FIre’s storytelling because it thrives on drama.
Whether Pascal and Firehouse 51 get along depends on the writers’ long-term plans for Mulroney. It’s unclear what kind of contract he signed to join Dick Wolf’s One Chicago series. If he is indeed Boden’s permanent replacement, it’s safe to say it’s only a matter of time before he and the team see eye to eye. If not, however, Pascal’s tenure at Chicago Fire will end sooner than expected. Perhaps it’s the beginning of the story that they want to finally prop up Hermann to become the new Battalion Chief of the house.
