On Chicago Fire, Carver (played by Jake Lockett) seems to be entangling himself in more than just fires these days—his romantic life is heating up and getting messy. Last season, things got complicated between him and Violet (Hanako Greensmith), leaving fans wondering just how serious their relationship was. Now, with the reappearance of his old flame Tori, Carver finds himself in a new romantic dynamic, raising the question: is she what he needs, or just another complication?
“Sometimes it’s nice to have someone you’re comfortable with,” Lockett shares with Swooon. He reflects on his character’s choices, acknowledging that while Carver might not be making the wisest decisions, it’s understandable. “Jake [Lockett] might look at Carver’s situation and think, ‘Maybe this isn’t the best choice, man.’ But life can be hard, and finding something that’s easy and stress-free can feel like a relief. That said, if it becomes stressful, then things might change.”
At the moment, it seems like things with Tori aren’t all that serious. However, Lockett teases that there’s potential for their relationship to grow. “They get along well and have fun together. And after a breakup, sometimes that’s all you need,” he says. Still, Carver bringing Tori to Molly’s bar wasn’t his best move. “Yeah, I’d agree with that,” Lockett admits. “But Carver, well, let’s just say alcohol can make you think certain things are good ideas.”
Meanwhile, Violet has been trying to reconnect with Carver since his return from a Texas furlough, but he’s been avoiding her. Lockett explains that Carver’s coldness comes from a place of self-protection. “It’s all about protecting himself right now,” he says. “Carver put himself out there in a way he probably hasn’t before, and when Violet didn’t respond, it hurt him deeply.”
In last season’s finale, Carver confessed his love to Violet, but his feelings now seem more guarded. Has anything changed after his time away and his budding relationship with Tori? “If I had to guess, I’d say those feelings are still there,” Lockett reflects. “You don’t just fall out of love overnight. Nothing major happened to make him stop caring for Violet; it was more that he made himself vulnerable and didn’t get the response he hoped for. So, yeah, the feelings are still there, but moving on with Tori is his way of coping. Sometimes you need to distance yourself to deal with tough emotions.”
As for Violet and Carver’s dynamic at work, Lockett emphasizes that their personal issues haven’t affected their professional relationship. “What’s cool is that, despite everything, they stay professional. When it comes to saving lives, they don’t let their personal drama interfere. I think that’s one of the strongest parts of their relationship—they know how to get the job done, no matter what’s going on between them.”
Looking ahead, Lockett hints at more tension in Carver’s relationship with Tori. “She’s fun, but life’s about balance. How will he balance the pressure she puts on the relationship with his work at the firehouse?” It seems that while Carver is searching for stability, things might just get more complicated before they settle down.
