For over a decade, Chicago Fire has been a television powerhouse, with a cast of characters so beloved they feel like family. The show has navigated both joyous returns and heartbreaking goodbyes, but few moments have been as impactful as the recent triumphant return of a star and the lingering questions from a past, baffling exit. The return of Taylor Kinney as Lieutenant Kelly Severide was a celebrated win for the show, a moment of relief and a return to form for Firehouse 51. Yet, even in the midst of that celebration, fans are still left scratching their heads over a departure that remains one of the most perplexing in the show’s history: the exit of Monica Raymund as Gabriela “Gabby” Dawson.
This tale of two exits perfectly encapsulates the show’s complex and often contradictory creative journey. One departure was handled with grace and left the door open for a triumphant return. The other was abrupt, unresolved, and left a void that was never truly filled.
The Triumphant Return of Kelly Severide
For fans of Chicago Fire, the past few seasons have been a rollercoaster of emotions. The sudden and unexplained departure of Taylor Kinney in the middle of Season 11 left the show and its fans reeling. Severide, the fearless leader of Squad 3, had been a foundational character since the very beginning. His absence was felt deeply, not just by the characters on the show but by the audience. His sudden departure for an Office of Fire Investigation (OFCI) training program left a gaping hole in the firehouse and in his marriage to Stella Kidd.
Kinney’s return in Season 12 was met with a collective sigh of relief. It was a testament to the fact that some characters are simply irreplaceable. His absence had a real, in-show purpose, and the show’s writers used it to explore the emotional fallout on his wife and his fellow firefighters. The tension, the worry, and the distance between him and Stella were all powerful dramatic tools. When he finally returned, he was able to confront the consequences of his actions and begin the long process of healing. His return was a clear signal to fans that the show was back on track and that the heart and soul of Firehouse 51 were intact. It was a brilliant move by the showrunners, who honored the character’s legacy while also using his absence to create compelling new storylines.
The Unresolved Mystery of Gabriela Dawson’s Exit
In stark contrast to Severide’s graceful exit and triumphant return is the baffling departure of Gabriela Dawson. Portrayed by Monica Raymund, Dawson was a central character for the first six seasons. Her on-again, off-again romance and eventual marriage to Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) was a major storyline that captivated fans for years. Their relationship was the show’s emotional core, and viewers were deeply invested in their journey.
That’s what makes her departure so baffling. In the Season 6 finale, Dawson abruptly left her marriage and her life in Chicago to do disaster relief work in Puerto Rico. Her exit felt rushed, unexplained, and deeply unsatisfying. She and Casey were at a turning point in their relationship, and instead of working through it, she simply left. The show never gave her a proper farewell episode, and her story was left with a major cliffhanger.
The biggest source of frustration for fans was the way her exit was handled. It felt like a decision that was made by the actress, not the character. Dawson, who was portrayed as a fiercely loyal and loving partner, abandoned her husband and her family without a proper goodbye. The emotional payoff that had been building for years was never delivered. Her character was never fully given the send-off she deserved, and her legacy on the show is one of unresolved mystery and lingering questions.
A Tale of Two Exits
The contrast between Severide’s and Dawson’s exits is a fascinating case study in how a show can handle character departures. Severide’s absence was a temporary one with a clear, in-show purpose. It allowed the show to explore new emotional territory without a sense of finality. His return was a joyous moment that brought the show back to its center.
Dawson’s exit, however, felt final. There was no clear path to her return, and her story was left unresolved. Her departure felt like a major creative misstep, one that the show has never truly been able to recover from. While Casey’s subsequent exit was handled with more grace, the pain of Dawson’s baffling goodbye still lingers.
The two exits also reflect the different eras of the show. Dawson’s departure came at a time when the show was still figuring out its long-term strategy. Severide’s leave came after years of experience, and the show’s producers clearly learned from past mistakes. They understood the importance of an emotional anchor and the need for a character’s story to have a sense of purpose.
The Impact on the Show’s Legacy
The legacies of these two characters are now intertwined, and they have both shaped the show in different ways. Severide’s return proved that the show still has a lot of life left and that a familiar face can bring back a sense of magic. It was a triumph that reassured fans that the show’s producers are listening and that they care about the show’s most beloved characters.
Dawson’s exit, on the other hand, serves as a cautionary tale. It is a reminder of the show’s more controversial creative decisions and the importance of giving a character a proper send-off. Her departure left a gaping emotional wound that continues to baffle and frustrate fans to this day.
In the end, Chicago Fire is a show that is defined by its characters, and the journeys they take, both on and off-screen. The celebrated return of Kelly Severide and the perplexing departure of Gabriela Dawson are both vital parts of the show’s history. They are a testament to the show’s ability to evolve and adapt, but they also serve as a powerful reminder that some questions are just too big to ever be answered. The show continues to move forward, but for many fans, the ghost of Gabby Dawson still lingers in the halls of Firehouse 51.
