Chicago Fire Season 14 Will Address Carver and Violet’s Relationship
The relationship between Violet Mikami and Sam Carver has been a slow-burning, frustrating, and ultimately captivating journey for Chicago Fire fans. For seasons, viewers have watched the two dance around their feelings, navigate complex romantic entanglements, and finally, in the Season 13 finale, share a long-awaited, passionate kiss. It was a moment of pure bliss for a fanbase that has been rooting for this couple, often dubbed “Vervilet,” to finally get their happily ever after. However, the joy was short-lived. With the shocking news of actor Jake Lockett’s departure from the series as a regular cast member, the future of Violet and Carver’s relationship is now the most pressing question heading into Chicago Fire Season 14.
The show’s producers have made it clear that they will not leave this storyline unresolved. The Season 14 premiere is set to address the fate of their budding romance, but the answers are already proving to be a difficult pill to swallow for fans. The narrative choice to end Season 13 on a high note, only to immediately pull the rug out from under the audience, is a hallmark of the show’s dramatic style. It sets up a poignant and emotionally charged start to the new season, forcing both Violet and the viewers to confront a harsh new reality. The question isn’t if the relationship will be addressed, but how the writers will navigate this heartbreaking conclusion.
The journey of Violet and Carver has been defined by a series of missed connections and unfortunate timing. After the tragic death of Violet’s previous love interest, Evan Hawkins, it was Carver who stepped in as a supportive friend, his tough exterior slowly melting away to reveal a man who genuinely cared for her. Their romantic chemistry was undeniable, but they could never quite get on the same page. When Violet was ready to move on, Carver was dealing with his own personal demons and a new relationship, and when Carver was ready to commit, Violet was with someone else. This constant push and pull created a compelling, albeit frustrating, will-they-won’t-they dynamic that kept audiences hooked.
The Impact of Jake Lockett’s Exit
The departure of Jake Lockett as Sam Carver is the single biggest factor shaping the Season 14 narrative. While actor exits are a regular occurrence in the world of long-running procedurals, this one is particularly impactful because it comes at a critical moment for his character and his relationship with Violet. It robs the couple of the chance to fully explore the relationship that has been building for seasons.
The show has a few ways to handle this, and early reports suggest a clear direction. According to an interview with Hanako Greensmith, who plays Violet, the Season 14 premiere will feature a “bit of a time jump” and will provide “answers to a couple of the questions from last season pretty immediately.” This indicates that fans will not have to wait long to find out what happened between the two. The most likely scenario, given Lockett’s departure, is that Carver’s character will either leave Chicago or their relationship will not survive the challenges it faces. This means the show will likely not explore a long-distance relationship, opting instead for a clean break to allow Violet’s character to move forward.
This choice is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides immediate closure and avoids a dragged-out, unsatisfying storyline. On the other hand, it feels like a disservice to the slow-burn romance that the show has painstakingly built. It also leaves fans feeling a sense of unfulfilled potential, as they will never get to see what a stable, happy relationship between Violet and Carver could have looked like.
What’s Next for Violet?
With Carver’s exit all but confirmed, the show’s focus will now shift to Violet and her emotional journey in the aftermath. Hanako Greensmith has hinted that her character will be entering a “new phase of her life,” one where she’s learning to live with “disappointments in a different way.” This suggests that Violet will not be defined by this heartbreak but will instead grow and mature from it. She has already gone through significant loss and romantic turmoil, and this latest setback will likely be a catalyst for her to become even stronger, more independent, and more focused on her own career and personal growth.
The show may introduce a new love interest for Violet, but after the emotional rollercoaster of the Carver saga, fans will likely be wary. Any new romance would have to feel earned and authentic, and it would be challenging for a new character to fill the void left by Carver’s departure and the end of their compelling storyline. It is more likely that the first part of Season 14 will focus on Violet’s healing and her professional life as Chief Paramedic, allowing her to stand on her own two feet before entering a new relationship.
A Familiar Storyline for a Long-Running Show
The decision to end a fan-favorite romance with an abrupt cast exit is a risk, but it’s a risk that long-running shows like Chicago Fire have taken before. The show has seen countless characters come and go, and romantic storylines have always been subject to the realities of a shifting cast. While this may be frustrating for fans who are tired of the constant turnover, it is also a source of new material and fresh dynamics.
The challenge for the writers is to ensure that Carver’s departure is handled with the emotional weight it deserves. A simple mention or a quick breakup would feel like a cheap cop-out. Fans deserve a meaningful farewell for a character who has been central to the show’s recent seasons. A brief return for Lockett in a guest-starring capacity to provide proper closure would be an ideal solution, and a move that the show has utilized for other beloved departing characters in the past.
The future of Violet and Carver’s relationship is uncertain, but what is clear is that Chicago Fire Season 14 will be an emotional one. The season will explore the aftermath of a heartbreak that has been years in the making, forcing both a character and her loyal fanbase to say a painful goodbye. It’s a testament to the power of the show’s storytelling and the talent of its cast that this fictional romance has become so real to so many viewers. The only question now is whether the show can deliver a satisfying resolution that honors the journey, even if it doesn’t end in the way fans had hoped.
