It’s Time For Severide & Kidd To End: Why Chicago Fire Season 12 Changed My Mind On Their Future
As much as it pains me to say this, the time has come for Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd to end, the Chicago Fire season 12 finale makes that’s clear. Unlike Dick Wolf’s Law & Order franchise, which is more focused on the actual procedural aspect of its storytelling, One Chicago leans into the professional lives of its characters. Weekly cases are great, since they shine the light on the daily challenges and rewards of their line of work, but what gets viewers, like me, hooked, are the personal storylines that are developed through multiple episodes, sometimes even years.
Admittedly, romances are a much bigger part of Chicago Fire than Chicago PD and Chicago Med. While they are not devoid of any love lines, they tend to move much slower compared to how it is with Firehouse 51. In Intelligence, Kim Burgess and Adam Burzek just got engaged for the third time, and there’s still no guarantee that they are getting get married anytime soon. While slow-burn romances are great, I’m afraid Chicago PD may have already overdone it with Burzek. Elsewhere, every couple who has been together for a while has long moved on from the Windy City.
Considering how difficult it is to maintain a long-lasting relationship in One Chicago, I root for all couples in the franchise — except those who are wrong for each other. I always forget that Sylvie Brett and Joe Cruz dated, probably because they are better as friends. So it is truly difficult to say that it’s time for Severide and Kidd to split up. I know their history, everything that they had to go through just to be together. There’s also clear chemistry between Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo. Unfortunately, those aren’t enough to keep the couple going.
Since getting married in the Chicago Fire season 10 finale, Kidd and Severide’s relationship has been plagued with one crisis after another. Not long after tying the knot, they were attacked during their honeymoon. This was followed by a near-death experience for Kidd, Severide’s abrupt departure from Firehouse 51 to attend an OFI camp, their tense reunion, and his own brush with death in Chicago Fire season 12, episode 11, “Inside Man.” I know they are in love, but how much more life-beating can they take before they start resenting each other?
Normally, the fact that a couple has survived all these ordeals should impress me, but there’s also something to be argued about knowing when something isn’t working. Severide and Kidd have been so used to chaos that it’s the only time that they find peace in their relationship. A good example of this comes in Chicago Fire season 12, on the heels of Severide’s disappearance during his OFI stint. To ensure that her husband didn’t do a repeat of ghosting her, Kidd tried to control him, which didn’t work. Ultimately, Severide got his way. He even went out of town again for another arson case.
Somehow, however, Severide’s disappearance in “Inside Man,” has seemingly completely eliminated this issue. Granted that his return in time for Matt Casey and Sylvie Brett’s Chicago Fire season 12 wedding could be an indication of his commitment to his wife, I find it difficult to believe that one gesture could make up for his inexcusable behavior during his OFI absence. Severide broke Kidd’s trust by disappearing on her, especially on the heels of a rough start to their marriage, not to mention her near death during a call. It shouldn’t have been difficult to let his wife know his plans.
All of these issues are crystallized in one single scene from the Chicago Fire season 12 finale, “Never Say Goodbye.” As Kidd checks a text message of Baby Julia from Sylvie, who breaks Firehouse 51 tradition by now going by Sylvie Casey, Severide brings up having kids. He acknowledges that it will be a much bigger sacrifice for his wife, but it only comes after Kidd’s lack of enthusiasm over the matter. The way he broaches the subject highlights just how inconsiderate he can be towards Kidd. Given their histories, Severide should have known better than to bring something like that randomly.
Sadly, being inconsiderate has become a pattern for Severide. Similar to when he supposedly got caught up with his OFI camp, which I think is an outrageously absurd excuse, he continues to prioritize his wants over her well-being.
Love can be shown in many ways, but being considered is perhaps the easiest way to do it. All you have to do is be sensitive as to how your actions, decisions, and words will affect your loved ones. Having children, especially given Kidd’s history and current situation, isn’t something that is discussed freely. Severide should have done it with intention. Sadly, being inconsiderate has become a pattern for Severide. Similar to when he supposedly got caught up with his OFI camp, which I think is an outrageously absurd excuse, he continues to prioritize his wants over her well-being.
Honestly, I can’t bl
