Chicago Fire season 13 introduced Chief Tom Pascal, played by Dermot Mulroney, and the mystery surrounding his past in Miami has piqued the curiosity of viewers. The NBC drama, known for its action, drama, and realistic portrayal of Chicago firefighters, has teased Pascal’s background, leaving viewers curious about what really happened in Miami. This new addition is expected to make Chicago Fire season 13 more intriguing by adding some tension as Pascal becomes more integrated into Firehouse 51. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Mulroney discussed what it’s like to be on a long-running show like Chicago Fire and revealed that they’re working on episode 8. However, he said that despite having filmed several episodes already, he’s still learning about Pascal’s past, which he said is central to the character’s introduction. Read his full quote below: We’ve seen three episodes and they’re great. The writers, all they had to do was drop one [line] in the first episode, “What happened in Miami,” and it drove people crazy. Because you see this story every week for 12 years. I’ve never done this, so I’m doing it for the first time, and people are going crazy trying to figure out what happened to Pascal.
So let me tell you this, we’ve shot seven episodes, we’re on episode eight, so I know a little bit more, but I don’t know the whole thing. Even myself, as an actor, although, in the character’s life, I lived through what happened in Miami, but that’s how they do it. So I’m learning too, but I can tell you this, these storylines are great.
It’s not linear, they really introduce Pascal in a great way. He has his moral challenges, and then obviously he’s a firefighter, so he keeps going. So it’s a really great role to have, and I’m excited to be here and be a regular on network television. I love that too.
The mystery surrounding Pascal’s origins will add a new twist, bringing excitement and unpredictability to the storyline. While Chicago Fire focuses on high-risk rescues and the relationships between firefighters, Chief Pascal’s storyline will bring a new emotional arc that could complicate his integration into Firehouse 51. Depending on what happened in Miami, this could lead to some potential conflicts with the rest of the team, who may be hesitant to trust him. Additionally, Mulroney teased a non-linear storyline that would ensure viewers would have to continue watching the season to learn the full story of Pascal’s past.
Introducing a character with a mysterious past is a risky move that could benefit Chicago Fire as they head into their 13th season. With Pascal’s past explored throughout the year, the series will be able to delve into themes of redemption and second chances while still developing their existing storylines and delivering the fast-paced action that viewers love.
The decision to slowly reveal Chief Pascal’s past throughout the season would add complexity to Chicago Fire’s storyline. It could involve mistakes at work, unresolved trauma, or personal setbacks during his time in Miami—perhaps a botched surgery or an internal scandal that led him to move to Chicago. Mulroney’s comments point to a multi-layered story that could affect his relationship with the crew at Firehouse 51. As the season continues, viewers can expect to be surprised by the upcoming revelations.
