The One Chicago crossover may be over, but its emotional and physical toll on the Windy City’s first responders is far from forgotten. The three-hour event kicked off with Chicago Fire, following a devastating gas explosion in a high-rise—an intentional cover-up for a larger crime. The disaster called for all hands on deck, with Chicago Med treating victims and Chicago P.D. hunting down those responsible.
But for Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger), the stakes became even higher when they were trapped underground. While they ultimately survived, the terrifying ordeal will have lasting consequences—especially for Stella and her husband, Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney).
Severide and Stella Face a Crossroads After the Crisis
Showrunner Andrea Newman confirmed that this life-threatening experience will shake up the couple’s relationship in significant ways. “They’ve made some promises to each other to not be separated again and not be apart as much as possible, and then this episode does tear them apart,” Newman told TV Line.
With their marriage put to the test, the couple must now navigate deeper conversations about their future. “Moving forward, it’s kind of about figuring out where they are as a couple,” Newman continued. “And the conversations about family really come up in that. That’s something they’re dealing with going forward, and big decisions are being made.”
Longtime fans will remember that earlier in the season, Stella told Severide she wasn’t ready to have children. But near-death experiences have a way of shifting priorities, and this event may force her to reconsider.
Stella’s Past Comes Back to Haunt Her
In a teaser for the next episode, Stella makes her thoughts clear to Severide—but the explosion isn’t the only thing weighing on her mind. A visit from her cousin reveals a surprising piece of family history that forces Stella to reevaluate everything.
“I think between the events of the crossover and the person from her past coming forward and talking about her past in a way that she hadn’t thought of it before, it’ll impact how she sees her relationship with Severide and how she sees the idea of family going forward,” Newman teased.
With so many emotional revelations in store, Stella and Severide’s relationship may be heading toward its biggest transformation yet.
Other Couples Were Tested in the Crossover as Well
Stella and Severide weren’t the only ones facing relationship challenges during the crisis. The near-tragedy also sent shockwaves through Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) and her husband, Mouch (Christian Stolte), as well as Adam Ruzek and Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati).
Fans have long been rooting for Ruzek and Burgess—nicknamed “Burzek”—to finally tie the knot. But according to Chicago P.D. showrunner Gwen Sigan, their relationship is about to hit a breaking point. “For Burgess and Ruzek, there’s quite a lot they have to do. There is a lot on their shoulders throughout these three hours,” she said. “And certainly, what you’ll see in the rest of our season is that they reach a breaking point.”
If that breaking point leads to a long-awaited Burzek wedding, fans will be more than ready for it.
Where to Watch Chicago Fire and the One Chicago Franchise
New episodes of Chicago Fire air every Wednesday on NBC, and past episodes are available for streaming on Peacock in the U.S. With so many life-altering changes ahead, fans won’t want to miss a moment.
