There’s been something going on with Carver (Jake Lockett) since he returned from his Texas sabbatical this season on Chicago Fire.
That’s when some changes came to Firehouse 52, with a new director (Dermot Mulroney’s Pascal) and an open spot on Truck (with Michael Bradway’s Damon out). So when will we get answers about Carver and who will fill the spot? TV Insider reached out to Lockett for answers. (Plus, find out more about his love life, including what’s going on between him and Hanako Greensmith’s Violet, on Swooon.) From the moment Carver returned at the beginning of the season, it was clear he was going through something. What can you say about that?
Jake Lockett: Unfortunately, I can’t say much, but I think in general, we can all relate to the idea that when we go through difficult times, we don’t always handle them in the best way, and that’s where he’s at. I think in the past, before Firehouse 51, boundaries were set and he didn’t let people in. It was an easy way to avoid getting hurt or to avoid revealing more than he wanted to. So when the fire department did what Firehouse 51 did, he opened up and there was trust. Obviously last season, he and Violet were a couple and there was something developing there, but when his feelings weren’t reciprocated, I think that shocked him. He went back to Texas to try to figure out why that was.
Also, at the end of last season, there was the kitchen fire that he and Damon had with that family. It was a situation that hit close to home for Damon and for me, I mean, literally, my brother pushed me into a fire, that kid’s arm got burned by someone spilling water and then the father literally just let it all go and blamed him. So I think that touched his heart, stirred up a lot of emotions that forced him to look back a little bit, look at himself, and in doing so, he wanted to go back to Texas and find some answers. It just so happened that there was an old flame there and now here we are.
Have we seen what’s going on with him? Did something happen in Teas?
I can’t tell you, but maybe. It can’t be. Honestly, it hasn’t been developed in the scripts that I’ve seen, but I definitely have an idea of what happened. I don’t know, maybe some unresolved issues with his dad, his brother, his family and stuff. That’s what I’m assuming, but I don’t know yet.
What do you think it would take for him to open up to someone at this point? Could we be willing to do that? Would someone have to force the issue?
I think really what I’m hoping for is that this is a point of growth for him, realizing that going back to his old ways is not the cure. And hopefully at some point he starts to take charge of himself, take responsibility for himself, and in doing that, I think that’s when he can rekindle some of those friendships and lean on Firehouse 51. I think that’s what we like about fire stations in general and the idea of family in a fire station is that they lean on each other, and right now, he’s not leaning on his family, the family that he chose. We always have the family that we’re born into and the family that we choose in life. And at this point, like, would he choose Firehouse 51?
Pascal is definitely different from Boden (Eamonn Walker). What does Carver think of him?
Personally, I think Carver appreciates Pascal, especially right now in his moment. He’s like, hey, let’s focus on the work. Let’s do it well. That’s what it’s all about. I think Carver is a challenging guy. He likes to lean on people who push him. If someone pushes him, he’s like, oh, I’m pushed to do something great. If it’s too easy or things aren’t pushing him out of his comfort zone when it comes to work, he’s like, what’s going on? He’s someone who wants to push that and grow. So when Pascal comes in and shakes things up, while I think some of the comfort levels in the common room might not be easy for him when it comes to work and being serious and strong in the face of things, watching him walk into a fire without even wearing full protective gear and dealing with situations, it’s inspiring.
