David Eigenberg has been part of Chicago Fire from the very beginning, and he’ll probably be there until the very end. How much he gives the NBC show is spotlighted in Season 14, Episode 4, which Eigenberg takes hold of with both hands. The only negative about “Mercy” is how the series gives him such a showcase.
Did Chicago Fire really have to burn down the Herrmann family’s house? It was only a few seasons ago that the writers had Cindy Herrmann struggle with lung cancer, and now the family loses their home and everything in it. That feels really harsh. But that aside, “Mercy” features one of Eigenberg’s best performances. He gets every ounce of emotion out of that tragic storyline. Audiences often think of the Sex and the City alum as comic relief, because there’s a lot of funny mileage that comes out of Herrmann’s exasperation or the predicaments that the supporting cast get into. But Eigenberg doesn’t get as much credit for the dramatic work that he does on Chicago Fire.
It was Herrmann who gave the big speech that eloquently summed up the show’s 100th episode. It was also Herrmann who confronted the corporate executive after the factory fire that killed Otis. Eigenberg has a whole lot of power to go with all that wit, and “Mercy” lets him unload. Audiences watch Herrmann struggle not only with just the physical loss of his beloved home, but trying to support his family as they deal with it, and his own sense of personal responsibility. He fears that some wiring he did in the kitchen caused the blaze (it didn’t) and he wants to do anything to take away the pain of his family, while also going through emotions himself. Across the 42 minutes, Eigenberg plays a wide range of feelings in so many great scenes. There’s Herrmann talking to Severide about how he may have caused the fire. Herrmann so unwilling to leave his home that Sal Vasquez has to force him out.
And then there’s Herrmann and Mouch. The friendship between Herrmann and Mouch has been foundational for both characters, so of course Mouch has to play a significant role in “Mercy.” The two characters have been through a lot together, from owning Molly’s to their recent promotions. But beyond that, the use of Mouch also allows viewers to similarly appreciate what Christian Stolte brings to the series. Like Eigenberg, he’s a critical part of Chicago Fire. The two scenes they have together are just two veteran actors getting the best out of each other. When Mouch finds Herrmann back at the house, and starts helping him search for anything that can be salvaged, it’s beautifully bittersweet.
Elsewhere, there are other elements to love about “Mercy.” Robyn Coffin is equally moving as Cindy Herrmann. Any time Kelly Severide gets to put on his arson investigator hat is always a good time, and this episode is also a reminder of how much Severide has grown and matured by Season 14, compared to the character audiences originally met. He’s now in charge of Firehouse 51 in the absence of Chief Dom Pascal—presumably more cost-cutting—and he takes charge. From snapping back at the dispatcher to the way he gets one over on the paramedics, Severide leads both officially and in terms of helping everyone around him.
And as far as the paramedics, give Chicago Fire credit for not forcing comic relief where it wouldn’t make a lot of sense. Severide tells Violet Mikami and Lizzie Novak to train Capp as a paramedic—which could easily have just turned into an absurd storyline. But while there are a few chuckles, this subplot shows that Capp has a talent for working with patients. It’s fantastic to give actor Randy Flagler more screen time, and even better that the screen time actually develops Capp’s character. “Mercy” doesn’t need levity; the audience wants to focus on the seriousness of what’s happening and be in the moments with Herrmann’s family.
It’s a brilliant episode, led by David Eigenberg’s brilliance with strong support from Christian Stolte, Taylor Kinney and Robyn Coffin. The only quibble is that Herrmann’s family has to suffer another setback for this story to happen—but the actors make that count. Watching these three stars, who have all been around since the beginning, flourish with this material is something special.
