Chicago Fire Season 13: The Divisive Character Return That Shattered Severide’s Best Relationship
NBC’s Chicago Fire has always been a drama filled with high stakes, intense emotions, and complex relationships. Fans have followed the lives of firefighters and paramedics at Firehouse 51 for over a decade, eagerly investing in the characters’ personal and professional lives. However, Season 13’s recent plot twists, particularly surrounding Kelly Severide (played by Taylor Kinney), have sparked a heated debate among viewers.
Severide, one of the most beloved characters on the show, has had a turbulent journey when it comes to relationships. From his intense romance with Stella Kidd to his on-and-off romantic escapades, Severide’s character arc has been central to the show’s success. Yet, Season 13 has seen a controversial character return that many fans feel has botched Severide’s best relationship in years.
In this article, we will delve into how NBC’s Chicago Fire failed to deliver on a key relationship moment and the divisive character return that fans are still debating.
The Rise of Severide and Stella Kidd: The Perfect Match
A Relationship Built on Strong Chemistry
One of the most compelling aspects of Chicago Fire over the years has been Severide’s evolving relationship with Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). Their connection has been years in the making, and the chemistry between them has been palpable on screen. From their first moments together to their eventual deep emotional bond, Severide and Stella became the show’s power couple.
Fans were excited when Severide and Stella took their relationship to the next level, solidifying their status as one of the most heartwarming couples in the Chicago franchise. They faced their share of obstacles, from personal trauma to professional challenges, but the love and respect between them always felt real and earned. As Season 12 wrapped up, viewers were left hopeful that Severide and Stella’s relationship would continue to flourish.
Season 13’s Controversial Character Return
The Return of an Old Flame: A Mistake in the Making?
Enter Season 13, and suddenly the dynamics between Severide and Stella are thrown into disarray. The return of a character from Severide’s past, who had previously caused complications in his relationships, sets the stage for a dramatic shift. This character, whose presence in Severide’s life was a sore point during earlier seasons, reappears with a new agenda and reignites unresolved feelings.
The timing of this return could not have been worse. Severide and Stella were just starting to settle into a new phase of their relationship, which was beloved by fans for its authenticity and growth. However, the reintroduction of this character stirs up old emotions, creating tension that feels forced and unnatural. Fans quickly became divided over whether this return was necessary or if it was merely a plot device to generate drama.
The Fallout: How NBC Botched Severide’s Best Relationship
Disrupting Severide and Stella’s Emotional Growth
The most frustrating aspect of the character return is how it undermines the emotional growth that Severide and Stella had achieved over the course of the series. When the character from Severide’s past reappears, it pulls Severide back into old habits and unresolved issues, which feels like a step backward for his character. For a relationship that had been developing steadily with trust, understanding, and compromise, the sudden introduction of this chaotic element feels jarring and out of place.
Fans had grown to love the stability and maturity that Severide and Stella exhibited as a couple. Their relationship was a testament to how two people can evolve together, overcoming personal demons and supporting each other through thick and thin. However, the character return introduces a level of unnecessary drama that feels artificial, erasing the progress the couple had made.
Why the Return Feels Forced
One of the biggest criticisms of the character return is how forced it feels within the larger narrative. Rather than allowing Severide and Stella to continue growing together, the show leans heavily on this external disruption to keep the drama flowing. While it’s true that Chicago Fire thrives on high-stakes drama, this particular storyline feels like a cheap plot twist that sacrifices character development for shock value.
Viewers who had invested in Severide and Stella’s love story were left feeling betrayed by the show’s decision to throw in an unnecessary obstacle. The character return, which many see as an attempt to reignite old conflicts, does not feel earned and detracts from the deeper, more meaningful moments that the couple had been sharing. Instead of exploring the complexities of their relationship, the show forces an outside element to stir the pot, diminishing the depth that had made Severide and Stella so compelling.
Fan Reactions: A Divided Fandom
The Love-Hate Relationship with the Character Return
As with any controversial storyline, fan reactions have been mixed. On one hand, there are viewers who enjoy the added tension and unpredictability the character return brings. Some fans argue that the inclusion of this character reignites old drama, which has always been a hallmark of Chicago Fire. They believe it adds excitement and raises the stakes for Severide and Stella’s relationship.
On the other hand, many fans are disheartened by the show’s decision to disrupt Severide and Stella’s story in such a dramatic and forced way. These fans feel that the return is unnecessary and undermines the growth that the characters had achieved. They argue that Chicago Fire had a golden opportunity to showcase a mature, stable relationship between Severide and Stella, but instead, the writers opted for cheap drama, which ultimately feels hollow.
The Larger Implications for Chicago Fire’s Storytelling
The divisive return of this character in Season 13 highlights a broader issue with Chicago Fire’s storytelling approach in recent seasons. While the show has always relied on dramatic twists and turns, there is a fine line between organic conflict and forced drama. By introducing an outside element to Severide and Stella’s relationship, Chicago Fire risks losing the heart of its emotional appeal.
One of the reasons the show had resonated so deeply with fans was because of its ability to balance personal and professional stakes. However, with the recent emphasis on unnecessary conflicts, there’s a danger of alienating the core fanbase. If Severide and Stella’s relationship continues to be manipulated for the sake of drama, it could damage the integrity of the show.
Conclusion: Can Severide and Stella’s Relationship Be Saved?
Season 13 of Chicago Fire has undeniably stirred up a lot of emotions with its controversial character return. While some fans are still holding onto hope that Severide and Stella’s relationship will come out stronger on the other side, others are disillusioned by how the show has handled their storyline.
Ultimately, NBC’s decision to introduce this character again has proven to be divisive, and whether or not it was the right choice will be debated by fans for seasons to come. If Chicago Fire is to maintain its place as a fan favorite, it must learn to strike a balance between high-stakes drama and character-driven storytelling, especially when it comes to its most beloved relationships.
Only time will tell if Severide and Stella can weather this latest storm, but for now, the return of an old flame has left a bitter taste for many fans who were rooting for their love story to thrive.
