The Chicago Fire Season 14 fall finale is set to be a high-stakes, dramatic conclusion to the first half of the season, but it may also feel unusually quiet around Firehouse 51. While fans have begrudgingly accepted that Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) would be absent, a second, equally beloved veteran appears poised to sit out the episode, leading to a palpable sense of unease among the One Chicago faithful.
Kidd’s absence, written into the storyline as a selfless move to help foster son Isaiah settle his mother into a state-of-the-art rehab facility in Cleveland, is temporary. However, the anticipated, unexplained disappearance of Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) for a second consecutive episode points to a broader, concerning pattern of absences that have left Firehouse 51 feeling surprisingly empty.
The potential double-absence of two key Lieutenants—Kidd from Truck 81 and Herrmann from Engine 51—for the biggest episode of the fall not only shifts the emotional focus onto Severide and the newer recruits but also raises questions about budget constraints and the emotional fallout of the tragedy that recently struck the Herrmann family.
💔 Herrmann’s Lingering Grief: A Narrative Explanation for Absence
In a recent episode of Season 14, five major series regulars—including Herrmann, Mouch, Cruz, Capp, and Tony—were suddenly absent, a huge chunk of the firehouse effectively written out via a quick line about Squad being off-shift. However, this casual explanation failed to account for Herrmann and Mouch, who are on Engine 51.
Now, as promotional materials for the fall finale dry up, Christopher Herrmann seems the most likely second major character to be absent alongside Kidd. This potential back-to-back disappearance without explanation in the previous episode and total exclusion from the finale’s promo materials has fans speculating on the narrative reason.
The Post-Tragedy Timeout
The most logical, and emotionally resonant, explanation for sidelining Herrmann for the fall finale relates to the heartbreaking tragedy he endured earlier in the season: losing his house in a fire.
- Initial Fallout: The show initially showcased the immediate emotional fallout of the fire, providing powerful scenes of Herrmann struggling with the loss of his home and the symbolic destruction of his family’s security.
- A Need for Time Off: After the initial shock subsided, it makes perfect narrative sense for the dedicated veteran to finally take some time off from work to handle the intensely personal logistics and emotional toll of rebuilding his life. The show could easily explain his absence by stating he is away dealing with insurance, architects, or simply taking a necessary mental health break.
- Avoiding Overuse: The writers may be giving Herrmann’s emotional arc room to breathe. Having him present in every episode immediately after the fire might dilute the impact of his loss. Sidelining him now allows the audience to anticipate a powerful, more centered return in the new year.
🗺️ Kidd’s Mission: A Temporary, Loving Exit
Unlike Herrmann’s implied personal turmoil, Stella Kidd’s absence is firmly rooted in a proactive, loving mission, thanks to the latest storyline involving her foster son, Isaiah.
The Cleveland Compassion
In a recent episode, Kidd learned that Isaiah’s mother, Shawna, was not receiving the critical care she needed after an accident. Lieutenant Kidd, showcasing her signature empathy and leadership, contacted Sharon Goodwin from Chicago Med, who secured a spot for Shawna at a specialized, grant-subsidized rehab facility in Cleveland, Ohio.
- The Stellaride Sacrifice: Kidd chose to relocate with Isaiah to Cleveland for “a few weeks” to ensure his mother was settled properly. This move is a huge testament to the strength of the “Stellaride” bond (Kidd and Severide), as the two Lieutenants will now navigate a long-distance relationship, contrasting sharply with Kidd’s earlier, unexplained departure in Season 10.
- Not a Permanent Exit: Importantly, Kidd stated she would be gone for “only a few weeks.” Given that the fall finale airs and the show heads into its mid-season hiatus, it is highly likely that her absence will primarily cover the break, allowing her to be back on Truck 81 shortly after the show returns in 2026.
Despite the clear explanation, her absence leaves Truck 81 without its commanding officer during what is expected to be a dramatic finale.
📉 The Real Concern: Budget and Roster Cuts
While the narrative reasons for Kidd and Herrmann’s potential absences are compelling, the frequency of missing characters in Season 14 raises an uncomfortable question about production and budget constraints.
A Pattern of Gaps
Season 14 has seen a significant roster change:
- Confirmed Exits: The season began with the confirmed exits of major recurring and series-regular players, including Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) and Jake Lockett (Sam Carver), both reportedly due to budget cuts. Michael Bradway (Jack Damon) also departed for a lead role on another series.
- The Mass MIA Episode: The earlier episode that was missing five characters—including the entire Squad 3 crew (Cruz, Capp, Tony) and Engine 51 veterans (Herrmann, Mouch)—was widely speculated to be a cost-saving measure, allowing the production to utilize fewer cast members per episode.
The potential for Herrmann to miss the fall finale—a major, high-profile episode—suggests that these strategic absences might be a recurring feature of the season, even when the narrative explanation (like Herrmann’s house fire fallout) is emotionally satisfying.
🔑 Conclusion: Severide Under Pressure
The fall finale will see Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) navigating a particularly intense shift. Not only will he be deeply concerned about his wife, Stella Kidd, operating a thousand miles away, but he may also be the highest-ranking officer on the floor if Herrmann is also absent.
This unique combination of missing leadership—two Lieutenants out—shifts the burden of command and the emotional weight of Firehouse 51 onto Severide, Chief Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), and the remaining veterans like Mouch.
The double absence of Kidd and the beloved Herrmann, whether due to budget or personal leave, guarantees that the Season 14 fall finale will not only be a spectacular emergency but a stark reminder of the profound changes and evolving dynamics at the core of Firehouse 51. Fans will be watching closely, hoping to see Herrmann safely returned in the new year, ready to reclaim his spot on Engine 51.
