Chicago Fire Season 13 is pulling from its earliest storylines to create a dramatic arc that has Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) facing a life-altering crisis. In Episode 9, “A Favor,” Cruz’s past decisions come back to haunt him, throwing his life into chaos and leaving him desperate to cover up the consequences.
Back in Season 1, Cruz left gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) to die in a fire to protect his younger brother Leon (Jeff Lima). Now, Flaco’s cousin, Junior (Richard Cabral), resurfaces, threatening to expose Cruz’s secret unless he helps recover stolen money. But the situation spirals out of control—Junior is killed, Cruz is injured, and Moreno, the thief, escapes.
Joe Minoso reflects on Cruz’s state of mind and what lies ahead in the aftermath of these events, including his attempts to keep his dangerous secret hidden from Severide (Taylor Kinney).
Cruz’s State of Shock and Denial
The end of Episode 9 shows Cruz sitting in his car, visibly shaken after the shootout. Minoso explains that Cruz is overwhelmed by the chaos:
“The last thing on his mind is Moreno. He’s in a state of shock at the events that just occurred. His priority becomes shoving everything back into the closet and pretending nothing happened to get back to work.”
However, suppressing the truth could be Cruz’s biggest mistake. Severide, now deeply entrenched in arson investigations, has an innate ability to uncover hidden truths—a trait Cruz finds difficult to evade.
“It’s the worst idea he could have had,” Minoso says, highlighting Severide’s dogged determination. “Let’s not forget he’s basically a fire cop. He’s going to suspect something.”
Revisiting the Lieutenant’s Test
Cruz’s personal turmoil is compounded by the progress of his colleagues. Herrmann (David Eigenberg) and Mouch (Christian Stolte) recently passed their tests, leaving Cruz to reflect on his own career aspirations. While becoming a lieutenant was a focus for Cruz last season, Minoso hints that his character’s attention is currently elsewhere:
“Cruz is realizing there are too many officers in this house. He’s just thrilled for Mouch, though—they share a special bond. Cruz has a lot of pride and joy for his friends, even with all the other stuff going on in his life.”
Jack Damon Adds Fuel to the Fire
To complicate matters further, Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) reappears in Severide’s arson class. Cruz, familiar with Damon’s disruptive presence, knows this adds another layer of tension for his Squad leader.
Reflecting on a pivotal scene from earlier in the season, Minoso notes that Cruz subtly warned Severide about the dangerous lengths people go to for family:
“Who has more experience in getting into deep trouble to protect their brother than Cruz? Damon is a tough relationship to navigate, and it stirs up those ‘sins of the father’ dynamics for Severide, which are so juicy.”
Cruz and Severide: A Bond Built on Trust
Over the years, Cruz and Severide’s relationship has evolved from admiration to mutual respect. Minoso recalls the early days when Cruz joined Squad and looked to Severide as a mentor:
“I remember going to his house to beg him to stay on Squad because the whole reason I wanted to join was to learn from him. It’s been amazing to work with Taylor for so many years and grow alongside him.”
As Cruz navigates his current crisis, his bond with Severide will undoubtedly be tested. Can he keep his secret hidden, or will Severide’s investigative instincts unravel the truth?
Don’t Miss What’s Next
Chicago Fire returns on Wednesday, January 15, on NBC. Catch up on past episodes on Peacock to prepare for the unfolding drama.
