Lizzie Novak and Jack Damon just became an item on Chicago Fire, but there’s one issue with their relationship that the series needs to overcome quickly. Network TV relationships can be fickle, and the high number of One Chicago cast exits can make it difficult to gauge how long any pairing might last. Only recently, the seemingly improving relationship between Monica and Chief Pascal was affected by a permanent change to the Chicago Fire cast.
Granted, Monica Pascal’s death in Chicago Fire wasn’t precisely the most typical way for a series to end a relationship (although Dick Wolf shows can feel that way at times). But Chicago Fire season 13 just started a new relationship that already seems to be dashing itself on the rocks, and the reasoning is almost more frustrating than Monica’s car crash. In this case, it comes down to one storytelling tactic that TV writers fall back on with far too much frequency.
Chicago Fire Season 13 Properly Begins A Novak & Damon Romance
Jack Damon, Severide’s brother on Chicago Fire, first received a kiss from Novak in season 13, episode 16. But the two had been building rapport since before then. As was previously noted in the series, Damon made a strong impression on the ambo crew when he thought to call 911 at the first sign a patron at Molly’s was in trouble. That built him up as a do-gooder, but it’s certainly not the only reason for Jack and Lizzie to have chemistry. In fact, the episode “A Beast Like This” puts that chemistry on full display from the start.
The moment they wake up in bed together, the extremely flirtatious chemistry between Jack and Lizzie feels almost no different from the brief chemistry they previously showed in Chicago Fire’s bar Molly’s. But Novak and Damon’s chemistry does feel somewhat more developed after their one-night stand, and it only grows more adorable as season 13, episode 17 continues. Unfortunately, there is one small issue that presents itself near the very beginning of the episode, and it hints at a huge problem with several TV shows that Chicago Fire can’t afford to repeat.
Why Novak & Damon’s Story Must Not Be Another Will They/Won’t They Plot
It’s Headed In That Direction, But It Doesn’t Need To Be
It’s Headed In That Direction, But It Doesn’t Need To Be
Early after waking up together, Damon tells Novak that he doesn’t want to pursue a relationship because he just joined Engine 51 under Herrmann and doesn’t want to risk his job for a fling. Novak takes the news so well that it actually makes Damon uncomfortable, although she does make him rethink things with a passionate kiss before they leave for their shift. And he definitely should rethink things, because Chicago Fire’s Carver and Violet are already more than enough of a will they/won’t they relationship that the series doesn’t need another one.
The question of whether two characters will get together is far from the only interesting question about their relationship.
The reason for dancing around relationships is typically to avoid “shipping death,” the product of writers running out of ways to keep a potential relationship interesting once the pair actually gets together. Still, will they/won’t their relationships often work because the chemistry is at least somewhat questionable, whereas Novak continues to maintain adorable chemistry with Damon even after he breaks up with her. Short of turning them into one of Chicago Fire’s most toxic relationships, it’s hard to go back on that at this point. Fortunately, there’s no need to move backwards at all to keep things interesting.
How Chicago Fire Can Keep Novak & Damon’s Relationship Exciting Without The Overused Trope
The Series Already Has The Perfect Relationship Model
One of the best examples of a relationship that’s stayed interesting after things worked out is Chicago Fire’s Stellaride. Kidd and Severide definitely had their issues at the beginning, but watching them move forward and push for adoption despite having dangerous jobs has provided enough drama that it’s ridiculous to think the only interesting source of tension could be two characters taking forever to finally start dating officially. The question of whether two characters will get together is far from the only interesting question about their relationship.
That question also doesn’t make sense anymore after “A Beast Like This.” Herrmann seems to break through Damon’s fears about not getting to remain at the station, so this episode of Chicago Fire ends with Jack in the perfect place to stop snubbing Lizzie and give things a lasting shot. Besides, Jack Damon and Kelly Severide are still developing their relationship as brothers. That alone will influence Jack’s personal and professional relationship with Lizzie. As long as Novak and Damon work together, there will always be interesting relationship dynamics to explore outside of the tired will they/won’t they bit.
