Chicago Fire has always been a master of weaving past storylines into its present-day drama, and the latest episode, “A Favor,” proves the show still knows how to raise the stakes. The winter premiere brought Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) face-to-face with a haunting secret from his past, one that put his career, family, and even his life on the line.
A Blast from the Past
The episode picks up after the fall finale, where Junior Polanco (Richard Cabral), the cousin of deceased Insane Kings gang leader Flaco (Jose Antonio Garcia), resurfaces. Junior knows Cruz’s dark secret: years ago, Cruz let Flaco die in a building fire after Flaco tried to force Cruz’s brother into the gang. Junior, fresh out of prison, uses this knowledge to blackmail Cruz, demanding he use Firehouse 51’s resources to help commit a crime. The stakes are personal and high—Junior even threatens Cruz’s family.
Reluctantly, Cruz agrees, setting up an episode where his integrity and survival hang in the balance.
Trouble at Firehouse 51
While grappling with Junior’s demands, Cruz finds a brief reprieve back at Firehouse 51. Amid the tension, there’s a moment of celebration as Mouch (Christian Stolte) and Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) pass their lieutenant exams. The camaraderie at 51 provides a bittersweet contrast to Cruz’s mounting troubles.
Things escalate when Junior takes his threats further, heading to the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI) to request a fresh look at Flaco’s death. Unfortunately for Cruz, Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) is assigned to the case. The pressure intensifies as Cruz realizes he’s being backed into an increasingly dangerous corner.
A Desperate Plan Turns Deadly
Junior pushes Cruz to help him retrieve hidden cash from a stash house, even forcing him to steal equipment from Firehouse 51 to carry out the plan. Cruz initially complies, but his moral compass prevails, and he confronts Junior, refusing to go through with the robbery.
The situation takes a dire turn when Junior pulls a gun, forcing Cruz to continue. Once inside the stash house, they’re ambushed by one of Junior’s former associates, and chaos erupts. Cruz is shot during the ensuing firefight but manages to escape. However, he leaves behind a trail of evidence, including his fingerprints at the crime scene, that could lead to devastating consequences.
A Shocking Ending
The episode closes on a somber note. Cruz sits in his car, bleeding and overwhelmed by the mess he’s caught in. Without a promo or preview for the next episode, viewers are left hanging, unsure how Cruz will navigate this crisis. His predicament—caught between protecting his family, maintaining his honor, and facing the fallout from his past—sets the stage for what promises to be an intense continuation.
Despite the heavy focus on Cruz, the episode didn’t entirely ignore the rest of the firehouse. Mouch and Herrmann brought some light-hearted moments, and the absence of Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) raised questions that will likely be addressed soon.
With its mix of high-stakes drama and emotional weight, “A Favor” reaffirmed why Chicago Fire continues to captivate fans, even in its 13th season.
