Chicago Fire Season 14 opened with a whirlwind of cast exits, leaving a noticeable void in the halls of Firehouse 51. While the departures of Sam Carver and Jack Damon were handled with varying degrees of finality, the show employed a particularly strategic narrative device for the exit of longtime firefighter Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri). By sending him to New York on an “extended furlough,” the writers didn’t just give Ritter a touching send-off—they intentionally created a scenario that makes his inevitable return not just possible, but highly probable, keeping a beloved character’s ties to the station firmly intact.
The episode that saw Ritter make his choice was a masterclass in providing a character-driven exit while simultaneously ensuring the door remains wide open for a return. Unlike a resignation or a transfer to another city’s department, the furlough is the ultimate promise to the fans: This is not goodbye, it’s just a pause.
The Heart of the Matter: Love, Loss, and Furlough
Ritter’s decision to step away from the CFD was a deeply personal one, rooted in a recent scare involving his former boyfriend, Dwayne Morris, who was shot in the line of duty in New York. This near-tragedy served as a powerful catalyst, forcing Ritter to confront the regrets of his past relationship and prioritize love and life over his career, a noble and relatable reason for leaving.
In a poignant scene with Violet Mikami, his closest friend at the firehouse, Ritter reveals his plan: he’s flying back to New York after his shift. He frames the move not as an end, but as a commitment to a second chance. The conversation centers on the crucial administrative detail: Ritter has cleared the move with his superiors, Stella Kidd and Chief Pascal, as an extended leave of absence.
Why the Furlough is the Key to a Comeback
The word “furlough” is the most important piece of dialogue in Ritter’s entire exit arc. In the bureaucratic landscape of the Chicago Fire Department, a furlough means a few critical things that set Ritter apart from other departing characters:
- Job Security: A firefighter on furlough is still an employee. His position is temporarily vacant, but his employment with the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) is maintained. This is significantly different from a resignation, which would require him to re-apply and be re-hired from scratch, complicating a return.
- Administrative Simplicity: A guest appearance or a return as a series regular would require minimal plot gymnastics. He doesn’t need to quit a new job or break a contract; he simply ends his leave and reports back for duty at Firehouse 51.
- Maintaining Personal Ties: The writers used the furlough to affirm that Ritter’s bond with the 51 family remains unbroken. Violet’s parting promise to visit, and her assurance that “New York is not that far away,” explicitly keeps the relationship lines warm, offering easy opportunities for future cameos and check-ins that aren’t tied to a massive, life-altering event.
This intentional move by the writers demonstrates a commitment to the character that transcends the reported budget cuts that led to the actor’s exit as a series regular. It is a clear indication that the showrunners view Ritter’s story not as finished, but as paused.
A Necessary Anchor for Firehouse 51
Ritter’s potential return is not just wishful thinking by fans; it’s a narrative necessity for the emotional health of the firehouse, particularly for the remaining paramedics.
The Violet-Ritter Dynamic
The Violet Mikami and Darren Ritter friendship has been the most stable and heartwarming relationship at Firehouse 51 since its inception. They are each other’s primary confidantes, anchors during crises, and co-conspirators in fun. With the exits of Sam Carver, Evan Hawkins, and now Ritter, Violet is left emotionally isolated.
Ritter’s presence provided a grounding foil to Violet’s more passionate and often impulsive nature. Without him, her storylines may lack the supportive, best-friend dynamic that viewers have grown to love. His eventual return would immediately re-anchor Violet’s personal arc and restore a much-needed emotional balance to Ambulance 61, especially following the introduction of the newer, less established paramedic, Lizzie Novak.
Preserving a Legacy Character
Ritter’s character has been lauded for his representation as an openly gay Black firefighter, a significant figure in the One Chicago universe. Giving this character a soft, open-ended exit allows the show to honor his contribution and leave the door open for his story to continue, whenever the timing—and the budget—allows. The writers and showrunner Andrea Newman have been vocal about their desire to bring Daniel Kyri back, expressing that they “hope to see him back at some point later in the season.”
This is not a character who has been written into an irreversible corner. The writers chose a storyline of pursuing love—a positive, life-affirming reason—over a dramatic, career-ending failure or a sudden, devastating tragedy. This choice ensures that when Ritter returns, he will be coming back as the same respected member of the family, simply with a new perspective gained from his time away.
The Precedent for Comebacks
Chicago Fire has a long history of utilizing the “door ajar” technique to facilitate the returns of beloved characters. The entire history of the show is built on temporary exits and triumphant returns:
- Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer): Left Chicago to care for the Darden boys in Oregon, a perfect administrative distance that allowed him to return for major events, including his own wedding to Sylvie Brett.
- Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney): Took a dramatic leave of absence to attend an ATF program, only to return to his role at Firehouse 51.
Ritter’s furlough to New York fits perfectly into this established “One Chicago Boomerang” trope. His move maintains his CFD status while giving the actor a chance to pursue other opportunities, knowing that a fully developed, beloved character is ready to be seamlessly reinserted into the Firehouse 51 family when the time is right.
In a season marked by significant change, the way Chicago Fire handled Darren Ritter’s exit provides the most comfort to the fanbase. His shift to New York is not a closing chapter, but a bold new beginning that, thanks to the simple but crucial administrative detail of the extended furlough, all but guarantees a triumphant return to the familiar confines of Firehouse 51. Fans should be prepared not for a goodbye, but for an emotional welcome back.
