The Surprises in Chicago Fire’s Season 13 Finale That May Change Firehouse 51 For Good
The Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire, aptly titled “It Had to End This Way,” delivered one of the most transformative, high-stakes episodes in the show’s long history. It wasn’t just a thrilling end to a difficult season, but a pivotal moment that effectively recalibrated the entire landscape of Firehouse 51. With shocking personal developments, a monumental leadership shift, and unexpected character departures, the final moments of the season guaranteed that the iconic firehouse community will look drastically different when the squad returns for Season 14.
These seismic shifts touch every corner of the house, from the Engine to the Squad and Ambulance, setting the stage for a new era defined by both joyous beginnings and heartbreaking farewells.
The Stellaride Baby Bomb: A New Chapter for Kelly and Stella
Perhaps the most emotionally resonant and surprising moment of the finale centered on Firehouse 51’s power couple, Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd. After a season-long journey exploring the possibility of starting a family—which included initial hesitations from Stella, heartfelt discussions about adoption, and the eventual, painful disappointment of a failed adoption match—fans were left wondering if the couple’s dream would be deferred.
The final scene with the couple pulled the rug out from under all expectations.
In a moment of pure, unadulterated joy, Stella revealed to Kelly that she is pregnant. This unexpected twist completely upends their personal and professional lives. A baby means not just a change in their marriage, but a massive shift in their careers. The dangers of being a firefighter are already immense, but facing them as soon as-to-be parent adds a layer of existential tension. Will one of them choose to step back, perhaps even pursue a less front-line role like Kelly’s previous work with the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI), to ensure one parent is always home? This storyline guarantees a dramatic exploration of work-life balance and parental sacrifice for two characters who have always been defined by their dedication to the job.
The ‘Stellaride baby’ arc is the show’s most powerful emotional hook heading into Season 14, guaranteeing that the family atmosphere of 51 is about to get literal.
The Heartbreaking Departures: Saying Goodbye to Carver and Ritter
The Season 13 finale was marked by the confirmed, albeit structurally messy, departures of two key series regulars: Sam Carver and Darren Ritter.
Carver’s Conflicted Farewell
Sam Carver’s exit was the most complete, though still heartbreaking. Throughout the season, his tumultuous personal journey, particularly his battle with alcoholism and his burgeoning, on-again-off-again romance with Violet Mikami, kept fans on edge. In the finale, Carver chooses to prioritize his sobriety and mental health over his life in Chicago, accepting a firefighter position in Denver.
His final scenes with Violet were a gut-punch for ‘Carver-Mikami’ shippers. Despite his decision to leave for a fresh start, Carver visits Violet on his final day to confess his true feelings, sealing the proclamation with an impassioned kiss. This moment cemented their connection, but also the tragedy of their timing. Carver’s reasoning—that he cannot trust himself to stay sober while maintaining his current life in Chicago—is a powerful testament to the severity of his struggle. However, the open-ended nature of the romance, coupled with his physical departure, leaves Violet emotionally exposed and her storyline deeply affected by this loss.
Ritter’s Unaddressed Exit
The departure of Darren Ritter proved to be the more subtle, and perhaps most frustrating, for viewers. Unlike Carver, Ritter’s exit wasn’t directly addressed in the finale’s main plot, leaving his fate at Firehouse 51 ambiguous on screen despite the prior announcement of actor Daniel Kyri’s departure. Showrunners hinted at a desire to leave the door open for future guest appearances, suggesting his absence will likely be explained off-screen at the start of Season 14. This lack of a formal send-off, however, means Firehouse 51 is losing one of its most earnest and grounded firefighters, and the team dynamics will undoubtedly suffer from his absence.
The dual departures of Carver and Ritter leave significant gaps in the Firehouse 51 crew roster, forcing a fresh influx of new characters and further shifting the established balance of the house.
The Leadership Revolution: Herrmann’s Sacrifice and Mouch’s Rise
The most shocking and immediately impactful change to Firehouse 51’s internal hierarchy came from an unexpected source: Christopher Herrmann.
Throughout Season 13, Herrmann contemplated the difficult path of taking the Chief exam, a promotion that would honor his long service but fundamentally change his day-to-day life. Meanwhile, his longtime friend and fellow veteran, Randall “Mouch” McHolland, finally found the courage to pursue the Lieutenant exam. The conflict arose because two promotions meant one of them would likely be forced to transfer to another firehouse due to limited officer posts at 51.
In an incredible display of selfless friendship, and realizing he was not truly ready to give up the Engine life for a Chief’s desk, Herrmann made a monumental sacrifice: he voluntarily surrendered his Captain rank on Engine 51. This demotion allowed a path for the recently promoted Mouch to step into an officer role at Firehouse 51 in the new season.
The New Dynamics of Engine 51
This shift is more than just a title change; it redefines the leadership of Engine 51. Mouch, who has served as the elder statesman and voice of reason, will now be the official officer-in-charge. This promotion validates Mouch’s years of service and professional growth. For Herrmann, the demotion, while a financial hit, places him back into the rhythm of the front-line firefighter role he truly loves. However, their dynamic will be fascinating to watch in Season 14: a Captain-turned-Firefighter now reporting to his longtime friend, the new Lieutenant.
This monumental decision ensures that the heart of Firehouse 51, Engine 51, is led by a new, beloved, and thoroughly deserving veteran, ushering in a different, Mouch-centric leadership style.
Chief Pascal’s Downfall and Uncertain Future
The finale also resolved the season’s overarching high-stakes political thriller involving new Chief Dom Pascal. Pascal, whose arrival marked the first time Firehouse 51 had a new Chief in decades, faced a desperate situation. He was arrested following an investigation linking him to an attempted murder plot, a complicated storyline tied to the man responsible for his wife’s death years prior.
Kelly Severide, despite the risk to his own career, put his faith in his new Chief, working tirelessly to uncover the truth. Ultimately, Severide was able to clear Pascal’s name, revealing a setup and corruption at a higher level. While Pascal was absolved of the crime, the professional and personal fallout from the ordeal—including his public legal battle and the internal strife it caused—has left his future at Firehouse 51 deeply uncertain.
With Herrmann stepping down from Captain, and the firehouse experiencing significant shifts, the Chief’s position remains a point of dramatic instability heading into Season 14. Even with his name cleared, will Pascal remain the leader of 51, or will the internal chaos open the door for another veteran—perhaps even a returning Chief Boden, or the possibility of an unforeseen, external new leader—to take the reins once more?
The Road Ahead for Firehouse 51
The Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire was a masterclass in change. By the time the credits rolled, Firehouse 51 was structurally and emotionally unrecognizable from the start of the season. With Herrmann making a costly, noble sacrifice for Mouch, Carver and Ritter making their exits, and the joyous, life-altering pregnancy of Stellaride, the foundation of the house has been irrevocably altered.
Season 14 promises to be a story of adaptation. How will Stella and Kelly navigate life and death as expectant parents? How will the loss of two integral members change the team’s chemistry? And most importantly, how will Lieutenant Mouch and a demoted Herrmann navigate their new ranks? Chicago Fire has successfully turned the page, ensuring that the show’s next chapter will be its most unpredictable and compelling yet. The firehouse may have survived the blaze of the Season 13 finale, but the residual heat from these changes is guaranteed to keep things burning brightly.
