The One Chicago universe is back, and Chicago Fire has returned with a gripping new chapter. The midseason premiere brought intense challenges for fan-favorite firefighter Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso), particularly as his past decisions come back to haunt him.
In the early days of Chicago Fire, Cruz made a life-altering choice: he allowed gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) to perish in a fire to protect his younger brother, Leon (Jeff Lima). For years, Cruz believed his dark secret was buried. But in the winter premiere, Flaco’s cousin Junior (Richard Cabral) reemerges from prison, threatening to expose the truth. By the episode’s conclusion, Junior meets his own end, seemingly taking Cruz’s secret to the grave—at least for now.
But how long can Cruz keep his skeletons hidden from his sharp-eyed friend and colleague, Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney)?
“He Works with a Fire Cop”: Joe Miñoso Weighs In
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Joe Miñoso shed light on Cruz’s predicament, highlighting just how precarious his position is given Severide’s natural investigative instincts.
“And that is the worst idea that [Cruz] could have had because he works with a fire cop,” Miñoso remarked, referencing Severide’s new role as an arson investigator. “The guy is basically an investigator who cannot stop investigating at his own peril… I’m so obsessed with the weird mirroring and daddy issue storyline thing that they’ve done with [Severide] and how he can’t help but jump headfirst into this arson investigation stuff. So, yeah, he’s definitely going to suspect something. It’s going to be up to Cruz to keep that at bay and to make sure that Severide knows nothing. But let’s not forget—he’s a fire cop.”
As Severide digs deeper into various cases, Cruz faces the challenge of keeping his past buried without compromising his friendship or his career.
Climbing the Ladder: Will Cruz Take the Lieutenant’s Test Again?
This season has seen other members of Firehouse 51 advancing in their careers. Herrmann (David Eigenberg) passed the captain’s test, while Mouch (Christian Stolte) aced another round of certification. Cruz, who previously attempted the lieutenant’s test, now faces a dilemma: should he revisit his ambitions, or does the firehouse already have too many officers?
Reflecting on the issue, Miñoso shared:
“But I think if there’s anything that Cruz is realizing, it’s like we’re starting to get too many officers in this house. We’re at a point where there’s not enough seats to fill how many officers are either about to make it or could make it. I think he’s just super thrilled for specifically Mouch. Mouch and Cruz have a really special and interesting relationship. Let’s not forget that sort of the only person that Cruz confesses to in almost a literal confession scene is Mouch in Season 1—or at least still left.”
Whether Cruz revisits the test remains uncertain, but the dynamics within Firehouse 51 continue to evolve, offering rich storytelling opportunities.
The Legacy of Chicago Fire
Part of the One Chicago universe created by Dick Wolf, Chicago Fire thrives on its intricate character relationships and high-stakes drama. Showrunner Andrea Newman ensures that each season delves into compelling moral dilemmas and personal growth for the ensemble cast, which also includes Jesse Spencer as Casey, Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd, and Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal.
As Cruz grapples with his past and his future, fans can only watch and wonder: will his secret stay hidden, or will it ignite a firestorm that changes everything?
