Chicago Fire has seen several major cast changes in recent seasons, one of the biggest being the replacement of Eamonn Walker with Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal. This new leadership role at Firehouse 51 has significant potential to shake up the dynamics among the team—especially the Truck and Engine squads—but so far, Pascal has struggled to make an impact. With the season just getting underway, Chicago Fire needs to rethink how it’s handling this new character.
Missed Opportunities with Chief Pascal
Since Pascal’s arrival, his interactions with the crew have been brief and mostly superficial. In the Season 13 premiere, he announced plans to implement one-on-one debriefs after every call, which could have set the stage for a unique leadership style and allowed him to connect individually with each member of his team. However, these moments have been so short that they lack depth, and viewers are left questioning where he truly fits into the firehouse dynamic.
Fitting into Firehouse 51
One of Pascal’s few notable interactions has been his criticism of Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) for working together despite being married, but this angle has only been addressed once, leaving it unresolved. Chief Pascal also questioned Stella’s leadership abilities, suggesting that high turnover on Truck 81 reflects poorly on her—a tension-filled storyline that could create conflict or camaraderie within Firehouse 51. Yet, these plot threads have been left hanging, missing the chance to showcase Pascal as either a challenging antagonist or a leader who ultimately respects his team.
Why Pascal’s Role Matters to Chicago Fire
While the series repeatedly tells us that Pascal’s leadership is vastly different from Chief Boden’s, there’s little evidence in the storytelling. Chief Boden’s strength as a leader was evident because he was often right alongside his team, responding to emergencies and proving his dedication. Pascal, by contrast, is rarely present during calls, and without seeing him in action, it’s difficult for viewers to see how his leadership style diverges from Boden’s or where he fits in the broader show narrative.
Moreover, Pascal’s character has spent an unusual amount of time focused on personal and family issues, keeping him away from the firehouse and limiting his opportunities to bond with his team. This distance has made it hard for Pascal to integrate fully into Firehouse 51. While his personal backstory could deepen his character, it hasn’t provided insight into his leadership qualities within the context of Chicago Fire, making it difficult for viewers to connect with him as a potential leader.
A Character in Need of Development
Chief Pascal still has a chance to prove his worth and leadership abilities. But to do so, the series needs to bring him into more meaningful situations with the team. The show has barely scratched the surface of what makes him unique or how he might contribute to Firehouse 51 in a way that distinguishes him from his predecessor. If Pascal becomes more integrated with his team and spends more time with the crew in action, his character could evolve into a dynamic and engaging part of the series.
For now, however, Pascal’s future in Chicago Fire remains uncertain. If the series takes the opportunity to develop his role within the firehouse and bring him into the fold of the team, viewers may finally get to see what kind of leader he truly is. Only then can Pascal prove he’s capable of filling the void left by Chief Boden.
