Chicago Fire really put Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) through the ringer. The character broke the law, was forced to confront a deadly judgement call he made back in season 1, and risk ruining the trust he’s built up with the likes of Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney).
Cruz came to his senses, and came clean, but he did suffer some repercussions. The veteran firefighter was suspended by Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), and forced to sit out during the massive One Chicago crossover event. Cruz was handed a two week suspension in the show, but two weeks in One Chicago time doesn’t always translate to two weeks in real time.
Cruz returns in the episode “Born of Fire”
Predictably, Cruz’s real time absence has been longer. The character missed the crossover and the following Chicago Fire episode, “Relief Cut.” Then, the show went on hiatus. “Born of Fire” marks the third episode and fourth week since Cruz’s suspension, and thanks to promo photos, we can confirm that the episode will also mark his return to Firehouse 51.
Cruz can be seen in several of the promo photos for “Born of Fire.” He can be seen working alongside his buddy Severide on an obstacle course built specifically for the Girls on Fire program. The plotline for the episode revolves around the program founded by Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo).
The firefighter wants to create a rope course following a rescue at an amusement park, and tasks her husband, Severide, with creating it. The official NBC synopsis doesn’t provide any mention of Cruz, or what’s planned for him throughout the episode, but the photos do show that he will be doing his best to sell the course to the Girls on Fire members.
The character will work alongside Severide
It may seem like a mild plotline, given how much drama Cruz has had to contend with in season 13, but we are actually relieved. The character’s family was threatened, he was shot, and he was on the verge of losing his job. He was pushed to the absolute brink during the fall finale and the winter premiere, so a lighter supporting role is a good change of pace.
It will also be nice to see Cruz and Severide working side by side given how stressed the former was about betraying the latter. He obviously values his friendship with Severide, and so it will be a breath of fresh air to see both men on the same page again.
