Contains spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 4 — “Through the Skin”
The One Chicago franchise is no stranger to high-stakes moments, but when Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) performs a risky, career-threatening procedure, her future at Firehouse 51 hangs in the balance. In Season 13, Episode 3 of Chicago Fire, Violet’s bold decision to perform a cesarean section on a deceased mother—a procedure paramedics aren’t permitted to perform—leads to the suspension of her medical license. As Violet faces a panel that will decide her fate, she seeks help from Chicago Med’s Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), marking a major crossover for the One Chicago universe.
Violet’s Career on the Line
Violet’s decision to save the unborn baby by performing an emergency procedure puts her career in jeopardy. Desperate to defend her actions, she approaches Sharon Goodwin, hoping the veteran medical professional will speak on her behalf at the disciplinary hearing. Sharon, however, explains that the panel consists of doctors, and her influence may not be enough. She advises Violet to seek someone with more sway to support her case.
Dom Pascal’s Surprising Support
In an unexpected turn, it’s not Sharon Goodwin but Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), who steps up to help Violet. Pascal has not exactly won over Firehouse 51 since his arrival, and his strained relationship with Lieutenant Stephen Vale (Phil Donlon) complicates matters further. Despite his personal conflicts, Pascal puts aside his differences, even apologizing to Vale for a previous altercation involving the lieutenant’s wife. His gesture proves effective. Vale not only vouches for Violet but also brings in an alderman to support her.
Ultimately, Paramedic Field Chief Robinson (Laura Allen) concludes that Violet made the right decision under extreme circumstances. With the baby’s aunt praising Violet’s actions, Robinson reinstates her to the team, allowing her to continue her career as a paramedic at Firehouse 51.
The Return of One Chicago Crossovers
This episode’s crossover marks a notable return for the One Chicago universe, which has seen fewer crossovers in recent seasons. In recent years, crossover events have been rare, often limited to brief appearances like Chicago P.D.’s Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) visiting her husband, Randy “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) on Chicago Fire.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a significant factor in limiting crossovers, as the complexities of coordinating multiple shows became more challenging. Former Chicago Med executive producers Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider told TV Insider that balancing the storylines across shows posed additional challenges, with each series being in different narrative spaces. They acknowledged that the previous season’s shortened production schedule also impacted the frequency of crossovers. While crossovers have been less frequent, this moment hints that they might make a comeback, particularly when the stakes are high for the characters.
Conclusion
Violet’s dramatic storyline in Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 3 brings back a sense of interconnectivity to the One Chicago franchise, a feature that fans have missed in recent seasons. With Pascal’s surprising intervention and Violet’s reinstatement, this episode not only saves her career but also reintroduces the type of crossover event that has long been a hallmark of the One Chicago world. Whether this episode signals more frequent crossovers in the future remains to be seen, but it certainly demonstrates the powerful impact of the One Chicago universe when its characters come together.
