Sorry, can Chicago Fire spare us the hell that is Carver and Tori’s toxic relationship?
It’s been long enough.
We’re heading into the sixth episode of the season, and that’s six episodes too many of Carver and his jealous, troublemaking girlfriend.
If we could fast-forward to when the two of them broke up and dive into the singing, dancing, will-they-won’t-they story of Carver and Violet that’s clearly supposed to be a big part of this story, that would be great.
They didn’t even need to show us the breakup on screen.
The thing is: I can’t even see that as a diehard Carver and Violet fan who desperately needs them to eat shiitake mushrooms together and move on.
Honestly, while I like the idea of them being together, I don’t need that to happen.
At this point, I could also easily turn my attention to Violet and Lizzie.
If anything, this suggests that both Carver and Violet may not be ready for a relationship right now, but that’s another conversation.
But for the sake of the plot, it’s clear that this is where their story should be headed.
And if I’m not rooting for anything else as a viewer, it’s that it makes logical sense or serves the plot and characters.
This is one of the many reasons why Chicago Fire needs to end Carver and Tori quickly.
Who does this serve?
Is there a viewer who rooting for this couple, remotely investing in Tori, or appreciating this obstacle on the road to the inevitable Carver/Violet relationship?
I’d be hard-pressed to find a single one.
In fact, if you’re out there and find this story interesting or entertaining, please comment.
I’d love to hear your perspective.
Even for those who don’t like Carver and Violet as a romantic couple, whatever the hell happened to Carver and Tori was unbearable and annoying.
It’s a waste of time for one of Chicago Fire’s most compelling characters they’ve introduced in recent years because they chose to waste our time exploring his character through these means.
Carver is such a compelling character because of the way the show introduces him.
He has a chip on his shoulder, a complicated past, and a story as a trauma survivor, and it takes him a while to come around and find a real family at 51.
Carver’s relationship with Tori is the culmination of his internal struggles with his past.
Maybe he doesn’t feel worthy of good, wholesome things.
Maybe after what he feels is rejection, he’s in self-destructive mode or he’s reflecting on the toxicity he witnessed growing up or falling back into old habits we don’t know about.
I’m open to the idea that we have to endure Toxic Tori for this arc to have a satisfying and emotional ending.
But even if that’s the case, why would they make us endure this unhealthy dynamic, which is honestly a poor execution of what has become one of the most annoying tropes: the toxic, jealous, “crazy” girlfriend, to further Carver’s plot and delve deeper into his issues?
Does anyone else find it annoying that Chicago Fire leans so heavily on that arc?
Tori is like the “dramatic” villain in a 90s horror movie, except she’s less fun and entertaining.
If this arc makes Tori crazy, potentially self-harming, Carver or Violet because of her underlying mental health issues or anything else, I’m going to be extremely disappointed in Chicago Fire.
