The halls of Firehouse 51 have seen their fair share of unexpected exits and tearful goodbyes. The ever-rotating cast of the One Chicago franchise keeps fans on their toes, constantly wondering which beloved character might be next to move on. However, the latest episode of Chicago Fire is set to deliver a twist in the opposite direction, bringing back a face that viewers were certain had been sidelined for the foreseeable future: Chief Dom Pascal (played by Dermot Mulroney).
After being conspicuously absent from recent episodes, with his disappearance only vaguely attributed to budget cuts and restructuring within the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), the new Chief is back. But this is more than just a brief drop-in. Pascal’s return is set to have a major, unexpected impact on one of Firehouse 51’s most seasoned leaders: Lieutenant Kelly Severide.
The Mystery of the Missing Chief
Chief Pascal’s introduction to Firehouse 51 was, to put it mildly, divisive. Taking over the reins from the iconic and universally respected Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) was a monumental task, and Pascal initially clashed with the veteran firefighters, particularly Severide. He represented the bureaucratic, cost-cutting side of the CFD, a stark contrast to Boden’s heart-first, family-oriented leadership style.
When Pascal went MIA in recent episodes of Season 14, a small sense of relief—or at least, resignation—swept through the fandom. The implied reason: the severe budget cuts that saw several battalion chiefs laid off. Fans speculated he was gone for good, another casualty of the CFD’s internal politics.
However, the synopsis for the upcoming episode, “Broken Things,” reveals the truth: Pascal is not only back, but he is stepping into a role no one saw coming—a mentor to Severide.
A Severide Mentorship: The Unexpected Partnership
The ultimate surprise of this unexpected return is the storyline twist it sets up for Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney). The episode will feature Severide shadowing Chief Pascal for a full day, suggesting a new, deeper dynamic is forming between the two men who initially couldn’t stand each other.
The Significance of the Shadowing:
- A New Career Path for Severide? Lieutenant Severide has always been an elite rescue squad leader, famously resistant to climbing the CFD’s management ladder. His focus has always been on the fire and the men and women of Squad 3. This shadowing opportunity hints that Pascal may see a future for Severide in a leadership capacity beyond Firehouse 51. Could this be the beginning of a promotion arc for Severide that leads him to take on a higher rank, possibly even a Battalion Chief role himself?
- The Mending of a Relationship: The partnership signifies a powerful evolution in their dynamic. The tension that once defined their interactions seems to have dissipated. Now, they are uniting over a shared goal: improving the CFD system. This suggests that Chief Pascal is gaining a crucial understanding of the frontline challenges faced by firefighters, thanks to the influence of the 51 crew.
- Systemic Issues: Promotional photos for the episode show Severide and Pascal meeting with the Mayor Benning’s Chief of Staff, Annette Davis. This confirms that their alliance is focused on systemic issues within the department, likely addressing the very budget cuts and staffing shortages that led to Pascal’s temporary disappearance and are causing immense strain on Firehouse 51.
Why This Return Is a Chicago Fire Game-Changer
Bringing Chief Pascal back in this context is a brilliant strategic move by the writers, addressing several long-running themes of the show:
- The Post-Boden Vacuum: Since Chief Boden’s departure as a full-time leader, Firehouse 51 has felt a structural void. While Christopher Herrmann temporarily stepped up, his heart was never fully in the administrative side. By pairing Severide with Pascal, the show is actively exploring who the next generation of leadership will be, positioning Severide as the potential successor that can bridge the gap between bureaucracy and the firehouse floor.
- Budget Cut Realism: The show is finally giving a face and a voice to the budget and staffing challenges that have plagued the CFD and led to many character exits. By having Pascal and Severide work together to address these concerns, Chicago Fire demonstrates a commitment to realistic storytelling, showing that the fight for the Fire Department isn’t just on the scene of a fire, but in the political backrooms of the city.
- The Severide-Kidd Dynamic: Severide’s dedication to this new role will undoubtedly impact his home life with Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), raising new conflicts for the power couple affectionately known as Stellaride. Will Stella support his move up the ladder, or will she worry that a desk job will pull him away from his first love—the rescue squad?
The Bigger Picture: Looking Beyond Firehouse 51
The return of Dermot Mulroney’s character, coupled with the involvement of a city official, signals that the stakes are higher than ever before. Firehouse 51 is not just dealing with house fires and car crashes; they are now actively engaged in a fight for the entire Chicago Fire Department.
This unexpected mentorship between Severide and Pascal will force both characters to step outside their comfort zones. Severide will have to learn the political landscape, and Pascal will be forced to reconnect with the real-life dangers faced by his team. The outcome of their partnership could mean a massive change for the CFD, potentially solving the long-term structural issues that have been the root cause of recent dramatic events, including the constant threat of layoffs and brownouts.
Don’t miss “Broken Things”—the episode promising not just a surprise return, but the beginning of a new, high-stakes chapter for Lieutenant Kelly Severide and the future of Firehouse 51.
