The air in Firehouse 51 has grown thin, not just from the smoke and adrenaline of their daily rescues, but from the recent, palpable anxiety over a series of cast departures. The long-running NBC drama, Chicago Fire, is no stranger to saying goodbye, but the approaching Season 14 is shaping up to be a tumultuous one. With the confirmed exits of several key players, notably the fan-favorite duo of Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), a question looms large over the One Chicago universe: will the show have enough runway to give these beloved characters the meaningful closure their stories—and the dedicated fans—deserve?
The recent news that Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett would be stepping away from their roles, reportedly due to budget-driven cast trimming across the Wolf Entertainment slate, sent ripples of disappointment through the fandom. Unlike major deaths or planned, emotional final seasons, exits driven by financial decisions often risk feeling abrupt, unsatisfying, or even creatively forced. For a show that has built its legacy on deep character bonds and serialized storytelling, the worry is completely justified.
The Looming Question: How Do You Tie Up Seven Years of Story?
Darren Ritter has been a fixture at Firehouse 51 since Season 7, growing from a nervous candidate into a confident, indispensable member of Engine 51. He holds a unique and significant place in the show’s history as its first openly Black and gay firefighter. His professional journey, his personal relationships—especially his recent on-again/off-again romance with ex-boyfriend Dwayne—and his development under the tutelage of veterans like Mouch have been central to the show’s emotional core.
The initial fear for Ritter’s character was an off-screen exit—a throwaway line about a transfer or a quick, unsatisfying goodbye. Thankfully, recent reports suggest that Daniel Kyri returned to film scenes for the beginning of Season 14 to properly close out his storyline. This is a massive relief for viewers who recognize that a character with Ritter’s tenure and depth simply must have an on-screen farewell.
However, even with a limited return, the writers face an enormous task. They need to provide a satisfying, well-earned reason for Ritter to leave his Firehouse 51 “family,” and they have to do it fast—likely within the first few episodes. Will Ritter follow his passion for photography, which has been a minor thread? Will he take a job with Dwayne in New York, as has been hinted? The ending must honor his long-standing commitment to Chicago, 51, and his self-discovery, or risk feeling like a hurried patch on a much larger wound. Fans want to see Ritter achieve his next big life goal, not just be a casualty of budget cuts.
The Violet-Carver Cliffhanger: An Immediate Crisis
The situation for Jake Lockett’s Sam Carver is perhaps even more precarious. Carver’s storyline has been a slow-burn redemption arc since he joined in Season 11. He arrived as a reckless, emotionally guarded firefighter with a troubled past that included a history of addiction. In Season 13, his struggles came to a head, forcing him into a 12-step program and pushing him toward a major life change—including a possible move to Denver.
Crucially, the Season 13 finale ended with a major emotional bombshell: Carver and Paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) finally, passionately kissed, confessing their love after an entire season of romantic tension, misunderstandings, and near-misses. It was the culmination of one of the show’s most compelling, up-and-coming romances—a relationship fans lovingly dubbed “Carver-Mikami” or “Vio-Car.”
Then came the news: Lockett is not returning for Season 14.
This development creates a crisis of continuity. How can Chicago Fire possibly resolve a hard-won, long-awaited romantic climax and a character’s entire recovery arc in a satisfactory manner without the actor present?
- Scenario 1: The Off-Screen Breakup. The most concerning possibility is that the show simply writes a quick, off-screen explanation: Carver leaves for Denver, and he and Violet break up immediately, rendering their finale kiss hollow. This would be a betrayal of the emotional investment fans have made in both characters’ journeys.
- Scenario 2: The Unseen Choice. A slightly better, but still rushed, option is a few quick dialogue scenes where Violet and Carver discuss his Denver move, with him choosing his sobriety and new path over the immediate relationship. This still necessitates a heartbreaking and arguably premature end to a relationship that deserved time to breathe.
The challenge here is immense: the writers must find a way to honor the genuine connection between Carver and Violet while giving Carver a plausible, non-fatal exit that still feels like a forward step in his personal recovery. Because Lockett is reportedly not returning, Violet will be left alone to process a sudden, profound loss, complicating her own professional and personal life just as she’s finding stability.
The Ripple Effect on Firehouse 51
Character exits never happen in a vacuum, especially in the close-knit environment of Firehouse 51. The departures of Ritter and Carver will inevitably impact the core ensemble, demanding quick shifts in the narrative.
- Violet’s Arc: With Carver gone, Violet’s storyline, which finally seemed to be turning a corner toward happiness, is immediately reset to heartbreak. She has already endured the tragic loss of her previous love, Evan Hawkins. Losing Carver, even if non-fatally, means she must process another major emotional blow.
- Mouch and Herrmann: Ritter’s absence will create a hole on Engine 51. Ritter’s storyline often intertwined with Mouch’s, as he was a mentor and friend to the younger firefighter. The dynamic between the older and younger generation will be significantly altered.
- Filling the Void: The introduction of new series regular Brandon Larracuente as a new firefighter, Sal Vásquez, confirms that the firehouse roster will be immediately refreshed. While new blood can bring exciting energy, a hasty introduction risks alienating fans who are still mourning the unresolved stories of those who left.
A Plea for Deliberate Storytelling
Chicago Fire has historically excelled at emotional, compelling character exits, such as Gabby Dawson’s humanitarian move or Sylvie Brett’s long-awaited marriage to Matt Casey. Even the departure of Chief Boden, while sad, was earned with a promotion. The current situation, rooted in behind-the-scenes financial constraints, requires an even more deliberate touch.
The writers have a few precious episodes at the start of Season 14 to provide closure, not just quick write-offs. Ritter needs a fulfilling professional future, and the Carver/Violet storyline requires a nuanced, heartbreaking, but ultimately respectful conclusion that validates their relationship, even if it ends abruptly.
The fans have invested years into Firehouse 51. The least the show can do is ensure these characters don’t just disappear, but are given final arcs that are as complex, meaningful, and emotionally resonant as the stories that made us fall in love with them in the first place. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on for Chicago Fire to deliver the heartfelt farewells that Darren Ritter and Sam Carver deserve.
