When the sirens quieted in Chicago Fire’s season 13 finale, “It Had to End This Way,” the lasting impression wasn’t a spectacular rescue or explosive action sequence—it was the emotional aftershocks within Firehouse 51. This episode wasn’t just a capstone to another year in the long-running One Chicago franchise; it was a careful (and sometimes frustrating) juggling act of exits, new beginnings, and promises of turbulence ahead.
The finale offers plenty to dissect, particularly for Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide, whose relationship takes a dramatic turn, while fan-favorite firefighters like Darren Ritter and Sam Carver linger in limbo despite confirmed departures. Add to that Chief Pascal’s still-shaky place in the house, and the groundwork for season 14 looks both exciting and anxiety-inducing.
Ritter & Carver: The Exits That Weren’t
For months, fans braced for the confirmed exits of Daniel Kyri (Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Carver). The departures weren’t shocking—after all, Chicago Fire has never been shy about saying goodbye to beloved characters—but what is surprising is the lack of payoff. Instead of giving them poignant farewells, the finale keeps Ritter and Carver firmly in place at Firehouse 51.
The problem? Their absence now falls into the lap of season 14. That means writers must devise explanations under more pressure, risking sloppy send-offs for two characters who still had so much to offer.
-
Ritter’s legacy: As the sole remaining queer character and the only Black regular since Boden’s departure, Ritter represented crucial perspectives within the ensemble. His quiet strength and loyalty deserved more than being sidelined.
-
Carver’s struggles: His ongoing battle with sobriety and burgeoning romance with Violet added a slow-burn complexity the show rarely executes this well. Yet his “relapse” excuse about needing to move to Denver felt flimsy. Why would leaving his biggest support system help his recovery? The logic doesn’t quite hold.
By delaying their exits, the show risks robbing fans of closure, echoing the messy departures of past characters like Otis and Shay, who remain missed to this day.
Stellaride’s Next Chapter: From Adoption Dreams to Parenthood Reality
While Ritter and Carver’s arcs stall, Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide’s storyline surges ahead with a surprise revelation: Kidd is pregnant.
For years, fans have watched Stellaride weather firehouse politics, job transfers, infidelity scares, and adoption struggles. The adoption arc in particular felt recycled from other One Chicago shows, dragging without adding much new dimension. But now, season 13 ends with a genuine turning point for the couple.
Still, there’s tension baked into the reveal. Kidd has long expressed doubts about motherhood, shaped by her turbulent childhood and self-protective instincts. Suddenly flipping that switch to excitement risks glossing over years of careful character-building.
What works, though, is the potential conflict. Severide’s boundless commitment often clashes with Kidd’s caution. Season 14 has the chance to explore these differences in raw, fiery conversations that push Stellaride to their breaking point—or prove, once again, that they’re stronger together. For longtime fans, watching these two face the reality of parenthood could be the show’s most compelling personal arc in years.
Pascal, Herrmann & Mouch: The Question of Leadership
If Stellaride anchors the heart, Firehouse 51’s leadership remains its backbone. The finale makes one thing clear: Pascal is staying. His bond with Severide grows stronger, underscored by Severide’s protective instincts toward his new boss.
But convincing fans is another matter. Dermot Mulroney’s Pascal still feels like an outsider, a placeholder in a firehouse that thrives on deep-rooted loyalty. Compare that to Mouch and Herrmann, whose decades of shared banter and brotherhood once again provide the finale’s most heartfelt moment. Herrmann’s sacrifice for Mouch reminds us why they’re still the soul of 51.
If Pascal truly stays long-term, the writers need to weave him more tightly into the ensemble fabric. Otherwise, his tenure risks feeling like a narrative stall that keeps fan-favorite veterans from stepping into leadership roles that would feel far more earned.
The Verdict: Excitement and Anxiety Collide
The Chicago Fire season 13 finale leaves fans with a strange mix of emotions:
-
Relief and intrigue at Stellaride’s pregnancy twist.
-
Frustration at Ritter and Carver’s delayed exits.
-
Curiosity about Pascal’s future role.
-
Comfort in Herrmann and Mouch’s unshakable friendship.
It’s both satisfying and unsatisfying, a finale that resolves little while laying groundwork for major season 14 developments. For better or worse, Firehouse 51’s story is far from finished.
