Keeping a long-running series like Chicago Fire fresh and engaging can be challenging, especially when beloved characters leave and the storyline shifts to new relationships. Since the exits of Monica Raymund (Gabriela “Gabby” Dawson) and Teddy Sears (Kyle Sheffield) in Season 8, the show has taken a new direction with its pairings. With Gabby and Kyle gone, the characters Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) and Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) started spending more time together, leading to a budding romance in the Season 9 finale.
While some fans have embraced Brett and Casey’s relationship, others have found it divisive, with strong opinions on both sides.
Chicago Fire Fans Are Passionate About Brett and Casey
Many fans can’t let go of the hope that Gabby might return, and they’re not fully convinced by the Brett and Casey pairing. After Chicago Fire’s official account shared a clip of Brett and Casey sneaking out of a bar together, Twitter user @Kathy_Dominguez expressed frustration, saying, “These two have been like brother and sister for many years, and now the writers are shoving them in my face,” with crying emojis to underscore her disappointment. Others like @Lilyedo1 long for the emotional connection Gabby and Casey shared, feeling that no one could quite replace their bond.
However, plenty of Chicago Fire fans love Brett and Casey together and are vocal in their support. User @iship2ship replied to the show’s tweet, “God, I love to win,” while @breezywanderer defended the pairing by pointing out that Gabby has been off the show for several seasons, urging other fans to “move on.”
Mixed Reactions Extend to Reddit
Fans on Reddit are similarly divided. On a recent thread about Brett and Casey, user u/Keola96 commented that Brett should find someone entirely new, unconnected to her past relationships. Others feel that the pairing works well; user u/viler_mago shared, “I’m happy about the pairing. This relationship really grew organically, and they are very similar people.”
The Brett and Casey romance has struck a nerve among Chicago Fire viewers, some of whom see it as a natural evolution and others who feel it’s too forced. The divide reflects just how invested fans are in their favorite characters, especially in a series where relationships evolve and shift as cast members come and go. Whether or not fans warm to this pairing over time, it’s clear that the characters’ romantic lives are a major driver of conversation and passion within the Chicago Fire fanbase.
