The Chicago Fire Season 13 finale, “The Long Goodbye,” was not defined by a massive explosion or a high-octane rescue—it was defined by a quiet, wrenching emotional decision made by the heart and soul of Firehouse 51, Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg).
For weeks, the central conflict revolved around the escalating financial crisis facing Molly’s, the bar that serves as the beloved, unofficial headquarters for the CFD. This wasn’t just a business struggle; Molly’s represents the emotional anchor of the series, the place where the found family of 51 is forged and maintained.
The finale saw Herrmann, the bar’s passionate, primary owner, make an unexpected and profound sacrifice—one that saved the bar but cost him something deeply personal. Showrunner and executive producer Andrea Newman broke down the finale’s emotional twist, explaining why this gut-wrenching decision was not only necessary for the storyline but felt “right” for the evolution of Herrmann’s character and the future of Firehouse 51.
The Crisis and the Climax: Saving Molly’s
The financial peril faced by Molly’s in Season 13 was not simple bad luck; it was a carefully constructed plot device designed to test Herrmann’s priorities and expose the depth of his commitment to his Firehouse 51 family.
The Molly’s Dilemma
Molly’s had long been struggling with escalating debts, rising city taxes, and the general economic pressures facing small businesses. The climax arrived when a major, unforseen legal fee—related to a previous liquor license dispute—put the bar days away from foreclosure.
For Herrmann, Molly’s is more than an asset; it is his legacy. It’s the physical manifestation of his entrepreneurial spirit and the place where he truly feels like a leader and a success outside of the firehouse. The thought of losing it was tearing him apart, impacting his focus at work and his patience at home.
The Sacrifice: The Partnership
The twist came not from a last-minute investment by a wealthy friend, but from a calculated, painful move by Herrmann himself. To cover the immediate debt and secure Molly’s future, Herrmann was forced to sell the majority ownership stake to a faceless, external investment group.
The final scene of the storyline showed Herrmann removing his name from the deed’s operating paperwork, a symbolic act that stripped him of the controlling interest he had fought so hard to maintain. He saved Molly’s as a place for his friends, but he lost his autonomy and his identity as the “Boss” of the bar.
The Show Boss Explains: “It Feels Right”
Showrunner Andrea Newman addressed the finale’s emotional choice, emphasizing that the decision was a reflection of Herrmann’s growth and the ultimate choice between his personal pride and the greater good of his firehouse family.
The True Cost of Leadership
Newman explained that the narrative goal was to put Herrmann in a position where he had to choose between his ego (maintaining full control of the business) and his community (preserving the bar as a haven for 51).
“Herrmann has always been a character defined by his drive, his hustle, and frankly, his pride,” Newman noted. “For him to finally accept that he couldn’t save Molly’s alone was his biggest moment of growth this season. The sacrifice wasn’t money; it was giving up the thing that made him feel untouchable outside of the firehouse.”
By sacrificing majority ownership, Herrmann ensures that Molly’s remains open. It is a profound, selfless act that prioritizes the emotional well-being of the entire 51 family over his own personal success story.
Honoring the Boden Legacy
Newman also drew a parallel between Herrmann’s decision and the leadership philosophy of Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker). Boden always put the needs of his people above his own personal advancement or compliance with bureaucracy.
“This is Herrmann stepping fully into the role of the house’s emotional patriarch,” Newman elaborated. “He’s learning to lead through vulnerability, just like Boden did. He realizes that the soul of Molly’s is the people who drink there, not the name on the lease. In terms of his evolution, it feels right that he secures the family’s space, even at a personal cost.”
The sacrifice confirms that Herrmann has internalized the lessons of leadership: the best commanders are those who serve their people, rather than their own self-interest.
The Future: The Cost of the Sacrifice in Season 14
Herrmann’s emotional twist in the Season 13 finale sets the stage for a compelling and challenging Season 14 arc, fundamentally altering his relationship with the bar and his own identity.
The Loss of Autonomy
The immediate fallout will center on the loss of control. The new majority owners will likely be unseen bureaucratic figures, introducing new policies, menu changes, or budget cuts that Herrmann vehemently disagrees with. This forces him to become a subordinate in his own bar.
This conflict provides excellent drama: Herrmann, who rarely takes orders well, must now learn to bite his tongue to protect his firehouse friends who rely on the bar. The question becomes: How long can Herrmann tolerate being overruled in the place he created? This new dynamic ensures that Molly’s remains a source of tension and drama, rather than just a backdrop.
Focus Shift: From Entrepreneur to Lieutenant
The emotional sacrifice acts as a final push for Herrmann to embrace his professional identity fully. With his business life complicated and controlled by others, his attention will necessarily shift back to his primary role as Lieutenant of Truck 81.
This will allow the show to accelerate Herrmann’s professional maturity, perfectly setting him up for the eventual Battalion Chief role once Boden fully transitions to Deputy District Chief (or beyond). The sacrifice at Molly’s allows the character to become a better, more focused leader at Firehouse 51.
The Next Generation of Ownership
Newman’s comments hint that the ultimate future of Molly’s may involve the next generation of Firehouse 51 stepping up to save it or buy Herrmann’s remaining share. This could involve Joe Cruz, who was an early investor, or even Violet Mikami, who is looking for financial stability.
Herrmann’s sacrifice keeps the door open for a new character to take the reins, ensuring the bar’s legacy continues, even as Herrmann moves on to his final professional destination as a Chief.
The Season 13 finale proved that the greatest dangers at Firehouse 51 are not always visible fire; they are the private battles fought for family, identity, and legacy. Herrmann’s heartbreaking choice to sacrifice his own pride to save the family gathering place was a beautifully executed twist that sets him on the path to becoming the true spiritual successor to Chief Boden.
