Chicago Fire’s Brett and Violet Stories Are Shortchanging Their Characters
Chicago Fire Season 11 is rushing both of its newly single characters into other possible relationships. Sylvie Brett and Violet Mikami are each grieving the end of their respective relationships in the first few episodes, but just after midseason, the show is already looking ahead to who they’ll date next. That decision is a disservice both to their development and to the characters of Matthew Casey and Evan Hawkins, whose departures are not being given the lasting impact of previous exits like the death of Yuri Sardarov’s Otis.
Season 10 and 11 have included a lot of fluctuation in both Violet and Brett’s lives. Violet’s enemy Emma Jacobs returned in Season 11, Episode 9, “Nemesis” following the blackmail saga she involved both Violet and Hawkins in during Season 10. Brett has been fighting to get the Paramedicine program up and running. And of course, Brett broke up with Casey while Hawkins died in the line of duty. Both Violet and Brett could do some internal work to navigate their feelings; however, the show’s plans for them suggest they won’t spend much more time on those journeys.
Chicago Fire Season 11 Ended Brett and Casey’s Relationship
The Season 11 premiere of Chicago Fire included the end of Brett and Casey’s relationship via telephone. Whilst the breakup seemed logical, dedicated fans felt cheated having invested so much in the two characters. Kara Killmer, who plays Sylvie Brett, told NBC Insider that she was “just as devastated as all the fans were” when the split happened. She also said she was excited to explore aspects of Brett’s life outside of romance. “It’ll be interesting to see her really dedicate herself to her career [because] we’ve always seen Sylvie in a relationship,” Killmer said. “She’s a hopeless romantic, but I think it’s important to see her come into her own and focus on her own things.”
But the writers appear to have other plans for, because they were quickly teasing a new love interest for Brett. Co-showrunner Andrea Newman revealed to TVLine that Brett will would come across “someone that has a surprising connection to the past.” That turned out to be Dylan, whom she got involved with in Season 11, Episode 8, “A Beautiful Life.” Refocusing Brett’s story on her dating life — and doing so just seven episodes after Casey’s departure — restricts Brett’s opportunity to flourish on her own. While her paramedic program still exists, now it’s competing for attention with Dylan.
Chicago Fire Season 11 Made Hawkins’ Death Unexpected and Futile
Season 11, Episode 3, “Completely Shattered” saw progress in Violet’s relationship with Hawkins, including the first time the duo said “I love you” to each other. Which was, of course, the perfect time for the showrunners to controversially kill Hawkins off, complete with Violet being physically pulled away from his dying body as she tried to save him. Chicago Fire fans are no strangers to untimely character deaths, but not only was Hawkins’ death unnecessary, it forced Violet into a grief-stricken haze.
Similar to what happened with Brett, the show is determined to place Violet into a “lighter space,” according to another Newman quote on TVLine. “It’s not that she’s going to put the grief behind her altogether,” the co-showrunner said, “but she is definitely going to be able to have a little more fun.” Like Brett, having Violet get so quickly back to normal in the wake of Hawkins’ death suggests that the writers feel she needs a romantic storyline to remain relevant and interesting. Both characters could take significant emotional journeys as a result of their losses, explore different individual opportunities or even further bond with each other. Yet Season 11 is more focused on their having fun and finding new flirtations.
