This week’s Chicago Fire brought major changes for some fan-favorite characters, with unexpected absences, a tough suspension, and a life-altering decision for Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide.
Why Were Mouch & Cruz Missing?
The episode, titled Relief Cut, opened with Firehouse 51 missing two familiar faces. A quick exchange between Herrmann and the chief revealed that Mouch was off duty, staying home to care for his wife, Trudy Platt. Trudy, a Chicago P.D. sergeant, was still recovering after being shot during the recent One Chicago crossover. Herrmann hinted that Mouch might be out for multiple shifts, meaning fans may not see him for a little while.
Meanwhile, Joe Cruz remained sidelined, serving a suspension for covering up details of an old fire incident. Though he avoided legal consequences, Chief Pascal couldn’t overlook his dishonesty. As a result, Cruz not only missed this episode but was also absent from the major crossover event. However, fans can expect to see him return in future episodes.
Kidd’s Family Visit Sparks a Life-Changing Conversation
One of the episode’s biggest emotional moments came with the arrival of Stella Kidd’s cousin, Cole Williams (played by Richard Blackmon). His visit stirred up old wounds and led to a surprising revelation about Kidd’s future with Severide.
At first, Cole clashed with Severide, wrongly assuming that he was keeping Kidd away from her family. “I don’t control her,” Severide fired back before Cole stormed off. Later, Kidd cleared the air, explaining that her distance was due to personal struggles rather than Severide’s influence.
The visit, however, got Kidd thinking about her own future. She confided in Severide that she wanted to start a family—but wasn’t sure she wanted to get pregnant. Instead, she proposed the idea of adoption.
“Is adoption something you would consider?” she asked.
After a brief pause, Severide smiled and responded, “I think that sounds… just right.”
This decision marks a huge step for the couple and could set up an exciting new storyline in future episodes.
Other Key Moments from the Episode
- A Strange Case of Missing Hydrants: Firehouse 51 responded to a call where a crucial fire hydrant was missing, costing them valuable time. With Kylie’s help, they discovered a series of stolen hydrants being sold for scrap.
- Ritter’s Heartbreak: Ritter and his boyfriend, Officer Dwayne Morris, broke up after Ritter hesitated to move in together. Their relationship ended on a painful note.
- Carver’s Personal Struggles: Carver took a step toward self-improvement by attending a meeting to address his struggles with alcohol.
- An Awkward Morning at Stellaride’s Home: Cole’s visit took an unexpected turn when he spent the night with Paramedic Lyla Novak—leading to an awkward breakfast the next morning.
What’s Next?
With Cruz’s suspension, Mouch’s absence, and Kidd & Severide’s new family plans, Chicago Fire is setting up some major developments for the rest of the season. The next episode is set to air on Wednesday, February 19, and previous episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
Stay tuned—things are only heating up at Firehouse 51!
