Chicago Fire season 13 closes with “It Had to End This Way,” a finale that leans into what the show does best—relationships under pressure. The episode intertwines departures, reconciliations, and a shocking revelation that sets up season 14 with both hope and dread. While the emotional beats land, not every storyline delivers the closure fans expected.
Ritter & Carver’s Non-Exits Leave Lingering Questions
Heading into the finale, fans braced for the confirmed exits of Jake Lockett (Carver) and Daniel Kyri (Ritter). Strangely, neither character was written out. Instead, both remain firmly entrenched at Firehouse 51, which raises more questions than answers.
Carver’s relapse and decision to apply for a transfer to Denver felt rushed, especially since Chicago—and his circle at 51—should be the best environment for his sobriety. His rekindled romance with Violet adds emotional weight, but if NBC truly intends to move him out, this finale sidesteps a necessary resolution.
Ritter, meanwhile, continues to feel underutilized. If his departure is imminent, fans deserved more than a quiet continuation of his storyline.
Stellaride’s Pregnancy Reveal Sparks Excitement—and Doubt
The finale’s biggest twist centers on Severide and Kidd. After years of navigating firehouse chaos, personal tragedies, and even an uneven adoption arc, the couple ends the season with the reveal that Kidd is pregnant.
It’s a thrilling development for fans who have championed “Stellaride” from the start, but the rushed reveal risks glossing over deeper issues. Kidd’s long-standing skepticism about motherhood, rooted in her traumatic past, hasn’t been fully resolved. If season 14 explores those fears—and the strain they could put on her marriage—the storyline could become one of the show’s most compelling yet.
Pascal Still Feels Out of Place at Firehouse 51
Dermot Mulroney’s Pascal remains a divisive presence. His growing bond with Mouch and Herrmann has potential, but it hasn’t yet reached the authenticity of Chicago Fire’s strongest partnerships. Herrmann and Mouch continue to prove themselves as the heart of Firehouse 51, a duo whose humor and resilience consistently balance the show’s darker turns.
For Pascal to truly fit in, season 14 needs to integrate him more seamlessly into the firehouse family. Otherwise, his presence risks overshadowing characters who’ve earned their place.
Final Thoughts: A Finale of Hope and Hesitation
Chicago Fire season 13’s finale leaves fans torn. On one hand, Stellaride’s pregnancy sets up fresh, emotional storytelling for season 14. On the other, the failure to resolve Ritter and Carver’s exits feels like a missed opportunity.
NBC’s cost-cutting decisions continue to loom over the show, and with long-standing characters in flux, Firehouse 51 feels both familiar and unsettled. If season 14 can balance the joy of Stellaride’s next chapter with the heartbreak of inevitable goodbyes, it may yet reignite the emotional fire that has kept this series burning for over a decade.
