When Chicago Fire Season 13 returns on March 26, Firehouse 51 will not be the same. Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) sustained a huge loss when his wife died in Episode 15, “Too Close.” Monica Pascal’s (KaDee Strickland) death would be the worst thing that could have happened to Pascal, and it happened. The chief is in denial, looking for someone to blame for the accident. With the loss fresh, Pascal returns to work, and the firehouse is at a loss about what to do because, on the one hand, they sympathize with his situation, but on the other, Pascal is not the warmest person, even less so after Monica’s death. According to the logline for Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 16, “In the Rubble,” Pascal tries to soldier on, but it’s tough. Meanwhile, Damon (Michael Bradway) tries to return to Firehouse 51. NBC released images from the episode, previewing the dour vibes in the firehouse and on the field.
In the face of adversity, Pascal searches for justice. Violet struggles to write a letter to Carver. Damon returns to the floater pool hoping to secure a permanent spot at 51.
Firehouse 51 Deals with the Aftermath of Monica’s Death
The images above lack a spark of warmth or happiness. Members can be seen huddled in groups as they discuss something. Everyone looks tense as the reality of the situation sinks in. Meanwhile, Pascal is back at the firehouse, worsening an even more tense situation. He remains adamant that he must carry on his duties, accompanying the firehouse to a rescue at a warehouse. Is he equipped to deal with stressful situations? He develops a coping mechanism by vowing to destroy whoever was responsible for Monica’s death. Chicago Fire’s showrunner Andrea Newman told TV Insider that the show will explore his grief. “Grief is a journey,” she said. She added, “And as much as 51 wants to help Pascal through his grieving, their chief is a man who plays things close to the vest. He’s not about to just let them in, but there will be surprising bonds formed along the way.” Newman teased a more volatile Pascal, saying:
“When it comes to Monica, Pascal was willing to cross any lines to protect her. So now that the worst imaginable thing has happened to her, how will he react? Will this bring Pascal closer to the gang at 51, or will he do something that destroys these relationships he’s been working to build? Seeing Dom Pascal pushed to the edge will be a sight to see!”
Tune in to NBC on Wednesday, March 26, to watch “In the Rubble” and see how everything plays out. Catch up on Peacock before new episodes return.
