One of the most beloved traditions in Chicago Fire is Kelly Severide’s (Taylor Kinney) classic cigar chat — a moment of quiet reflection where he often bonds with fellow firefighters. In Season 13, Episode 7, titled “Untouchable,” Severide found himself sharing this cherished ritual with a surprising ally: Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). Here’s a breakdown of the episode and what this unexpected team-up means for Firehouse 51.
Severide and Pascal: An Unlikely Duo
The setup for this memorable cigar chat started in the previous episode, “Bird of Prey.” During a routine call to a storage building fire, Severide and his crew rescued a squatter, only to uncover a stash of illegal ghost guns. This discovery led Severide to contact Illinois State Police Captain Robert Bishop (Keith Kupferer), who quickly dismissed Severide’s concerns and took over the investigation, leaving Severide suspicious of foul play.
Sensing something was off, Severide turned to Dom Pascal for help. Initially, Pascal appeared disinterested, brushing off Severide’s claims. However, when Severide suggested that Firehouse 51 might not be the place for a compromised officer, Pascal relented. He revealed that he was working undercover for Internal Affairs to gather evidence against Bishop, who was involved in the illegal operation. With this revelation, Pascal and Severide teamed up to expose Bishop’s corrupt actions.
The Investigation Heats Up
In Episode 7, Severide and Pascal’s collaboration played out like a classic buddy cop movie. The duo continued investigating the storage building fire, suspecting that Bishop had orchestrated the blaze to retrieve the hidden guns. Their theory gained traction when they realized that the squatter they saved was one of Bishop’s associates, who had likely taken the firearms before the fire.
The tension escalated when Bishop confronted Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) at a highway rescue scene, subtly warning her to stay out of his affairs. Meanwhile, Pascal received an envelope at home containing surveillance photos of him and Severide revisiting the crime scene. It was clear that Bishop knew they were onto him, prompting Pascal to send his wife away for safety.
A Surprising Break in the Case
The drama reached its peak when Firehouse 51 was dispatched to a fire at Bishop’s residence. While tackling the blaze, Severide took the opportunity to search the garage, uncovering a stash of Cuban cigars worth $50,000. This discovery gave the police the probable cause they needed to search Bishop’s home, where they found $1 million in cash and a collection of luxury Rolex watches, further implicating the police captain in criminal activities.
The Cigar Chat: A Bonding Moment
Back at Firehouse 51, Severide checked in with Pascal on the status of the investigation. Pascal confirmed that the evidence against Bishop was overwhelming. Sensing the weight of the situation, Severide invited Pascal for one of his signature cigar chats. The two shared a lighthearted moment as Pascal quipped, “I lived in Miami for 10 years. What do you think?” before accepting Severide’s offer.
As they puffed away on cigars outside the firehouse, Severide shared his lingering doubts about the fire in Bishop’s garage. He noted that the engine fire had occurred at the perfect time to expose Bishop’s wrongdoing, making him wonder if it was truly a coincidence. Pascal, with a knowing look, simply remarked, “Pretty low,” before adding, “All that matters is he won’t be messing with our families again.”
Severide’s smirk said it all: he knew Pascal might have bent the rules to ensure justice was served. This shared moment hinted at a deepening bond between the two, setting the stage for Pascal to become a fan favorite at Firehouse 51.
Catch the Latest on Chicago Fire
Don’t miss the next episode of Chicago Fire Season 13, airing Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC. With Severide and Pascal’s unexpected alliance, the show promises even more twists and thrilling moments ahead.
