The revolving doors of Firehouse 51 often lead to dramatic exits, but sometimes, a temporary disappearance can cause just as much speculation. That was the case for Chief Dom Pascal, played by the veteran actor Dermot Mulroney, who was conspicuously absent from Season 14, Episodes 4 and 5 of Chicago Fire.
Pascal’s departure was explained away with a crucial piece of departmental context: he was reassigned to help at other firehouses due to a wave of budget cuts and the resulting firing of several Battalion Chiefs in the CFD. This narrative choice, while realistic, left many fans concerned that Mulroney’s recurring role might be significantly scaled back or even terminated.
Fortunately, the showrunners have put those fears to rest. Chief Pascal is officially set to return in the upcoming Episode 6, “Broken Things,” and his storyline is not a simple check-in. Instead, it’s a high-stakes, political plot that directly ties into the career future of Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney). Pascal’s return is poised to be one of the most critical professional developments of the season, deepening his relationship with Severide and hinting at major changes for the entire Chicago Fire Department.
📅 The Details of the Absence: Budgetary Turmoil
Chief Pascal’s initial introduction to Firehouse 51 was marked by tension. He was a firm, sometimes aloof, leader who struggled to connect with the close-knit, unconventional team. However, his character quickly evolved, especially after Severide became instrumental in clearing his name in a personal crisis. This created a foundation of respect, if not outright friendship, between the two fire leaders.
His subsequent absence was rooted in real-world political drama:
- CFD Shakeup: The show established a political storyline involving massive budgetary pressures leading to layoffs and the firing of six Battalion Chiefs.
- The Reassignment: Pascal, being a reliable and high-ranking leader, was temporarily reassigned to plug holes left by the layoffs, forcing him to be “MIA” from 51.
The brief explanation was enough for the storyline, but the sudden sidelining of an important recurring character—especially after the turmoil caused by Taylor Kinney’s previous leave—sparked widespread concern. The return of Mulroney in Episode 6 signals that the writers were simply using his absence to add credibility to the CFD’s political instability, rather than writing the character out.
🤝 The New Dynamic: Pascal Becomes Severide’s Mentor
The most exciting aspect of Chief Pascal’s return is his immediate new storyline, which involves taking Lieutenant Severide under his wing.
The synopsis for “Broken Things” confirms that Severide will shadow Pascal for the day. This seemingly small event is a massive narrative clue that points to a professional future for Severide that extends far beyond the hose line.
The Mentorship’s Significance
- Challenging the Status Quo: Severide has always been content with his role as Lieutenant of Squad 3, resisting promotions that would take him out of the action. By forcing him to shadow a Chief, Pascal is pushing Severide to consider the strategic, high-level command decisions that govern an entire district. This is a deliberate step to advance Severide’s career trajectory, potentially positioning him for a future Chief’s role.
- Merging Worlds: Severide excels at arson investigation (OFI), a path that has often pulled him away from the firehouse. Pascal’s mentorship, which involves a strategic review of plans, hints at a future where Severide’s investigative instincts are merged with high-level administrative responsibilities.
- The Political Game: Official photos from the episode reveal Severide and Pascal meeting with Mayor Benning’s Chief of Staff, Annette Davis (Annabeth Gish). This collaboration at the highest levels of Chicago government suggests that whatever Pascal and Severide are working on is a high-impact, politically sensitive issue that could affect the entire CFD. Severide is now being exposed to—and involved in—the political machinations he has long tried to avoid.
The fact that Pascal trusts Severide enough to bring him into these high-stakes meetings and guide him through command decisions underscores the deep professional respect that has grown between the two, transforming their initial rivalry into a crucial mentor-mentee dynamic.
🔥 The Broader Impact on Firehouse 51
Pascal’s return and his work with Severide will ripple throughout Firehouse 51, affecting every main character:
- Stellaride’s Future: If Severide is seriously considering a Command position, this has profound implications for his marriage to Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), especially with the impending arrival of their baby. A Chief’s job means longer hours, more travel, and immense responsibility, directly impacting the couple’s work-life balance and their efforts to care for their foster son, Isaiah.
- The Squad 3 Dynamic: A permanent professional move for Severide would open the door for Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) to finally step into the Lieutenant role he has earned, allowing him to lead Squad 3—a storyline long teased by the series.
- Hermann’s Loss: The episode title, “Broken Things,” also strongly connects to Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), who is dealing with the devastating loss of his family home to fire. Pascal’s return to a functional CFD command structure provides the stability Hermann needs as he tries to navigate his personal tragedy and return to the front line after stepping down from his officer rank.
The sudden return of Chief Pascal is not merely a casting update; it’s a strategically placed narrative bomb. It brings the show’s political and personal threads back into sharp focus, ensuring that the remainder of Season 14 will be defined by the complex choices and potential promotions facing the leaders of Firehouse 51.
Fans can look forward to seeing Dermot Mulroney back in uniform, challenging Kelly Severide, and hopefully, stabilizing the chaotic state of the Chicago Fire Department.
