The recent episodes of Chicago Fire Season 13 have spotlighted Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso) as he grapples with decisions shaped by his past and present. A defining moment from Season 1—when Cruz chose to let gang leader Flaco (José Antonio García) die in a fire to protect his brother—continues to echo through his life. This act, driven by a fierce love for family, remains one of Cruz’s most significant vulnerabilities and now influences his decisions regarding his career.
With others at Firehouse 51 pursuing advancements, Cruz faces a choice: should he follow their lead or stay put? This season, Herrmann (David Eigenberg) successfully passed the captain’s test, and Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) also celebrated a major milestone. Cruz, however, remains hesitant about taking the lieutenant’s test—a decision deeply intertwined with his role as a father and his devotion to his firehouse family.
In an interview with ScreenRant, Joe Miñoso shared insights into Cruz’s mindset, highlighting how his new responsibilities as a father are shaping his career choices.
Family Comes First for Cruz
Cruz’s reluctance to pursue the lieutenant’s test stems largely from his priorities as a family man. Having recently become a father of two, Cruz is keenly aware of the financial demands of raising children and preparing for their futures. However, his connection to Firehouse 51 and its members as an extended family weighs heavily on his decision-making.
Miñoso explained:
“I think, especially after becoming a father and now really having a taste for leadership—he’s been the acting lieutenant on Squad 3 for a couple of years now—that’s always in the back of his mind. Especially as a father who has to take care of two kids who will hopefully end up going to college one day. Money is always a thing he’s thinking about. But right now, there was some great stuff between Severide and Cruz early on in the season that I think brought them closer together.”
Cruz’s love for his firehouse family is equally profound. Taking the lieutenant test would likely mean leaving Firehouse 51, a step Cruz hesitates to take because of how he views his team as an extension of his own family.
Miñoso elaborated:
“I think Cruz just wanted to feel in that moment when he was talking about taking the test and leaving the firehouse. He just wanted to feel needed or wanted. He felt a little bit like he was disrespected for the work he did when Severide wasn’t around. But he feels that those wounds have mended between him and Severide. Right now, he’s happy to stay. He’s a family guy. He loves his family, and 51 is, without a doubt, his family.”
The Lingering Weight of Season 1
Cruz’s past continues to haunt him, particularly his decision to let Flaco perish in a fire. This dark secret resurfaced when Flaco’s cousin, Junior (Richard Cabral), was released from prison. Cruz’s attempts to conceal the truth have placed him in a precarious position, especially as Lieutenant Severide (Taylor Kinney), an expert investigator, is unlikely to let loose threads remain unchecked.
Miñoso remarked on the challenge of hiding secrets from Severide:
“And that is the worst idea that he could have had because he works with a fire cop. The guy is basically an investigator who cannot stop investigating at his own peril—which is a whole other thing that I love about Taylor.”
As the season progresses, Cruz’s balancing act between his personal and professional lives becomes increasingly delicate. While his dedication to his family drives his decisions, the weight of his past and his close bond with Firehouse 51 ensure that Cruz’s journey remains one of the most compelling storylines of the season.
