Chicago Fire has long been the flagship series of NBC’s One Chicago franchise, paving the way for Chicago Med and Chicago PD. As the cornerstone of the Wednesday night lineup, it boasts some of the most beloved moments in the franchise’s history. However, even iconic shows face occasional missteps, and in 2024, Chicago Fire delivered its lowest-rated episode of the year.
While its sister shows consistently earned higher ratings—with Med and PD often surpassing IMDb scores of 7 and even 9—Chicago Fire’s episode “Birds of Prey” only managed a 7.5. Though not a catastrophic score, it was disappointing compared to the franchise’s usual standards.
“Birds of Prey” Falls Flat in Season 13
The episode in question, “Birds of Prey,” aired as the third installment of season 13. It followed two highly significant episodes: the season premiere, which introduced Battalion Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), and the second episode, which shocked viewers with the exit of Severide’s half-brother, Jack Damon (Michael Bradway).
In contrast, “Birds of Prey” lacked the high stakes and emotional resonance of its predecessors. Instead, it served as a transitional episode, focusing on character interactions rather than dramatic revelations. While episodes like this can be valuable for long-term storytelling, this one felt stretched thin. Key moments between Pascal and Severide (Taylor Kinney) were included, but the overall narrative felt like a brief subplot expanded to fill 45 minutes.
A Missed Opportunity for Character Development
One of the episode’s major flaws was its failure to develop any of the Firehouse 51 ensemble in a meaningful way. Dom Pascal, who was introduced as a major new character in the premiere, remained underdeveloped. Viewers hoping to see more depth from him were left disappointed.
The rest of the ensemble didn’t fare much better. The show’s tendency to include all of its main characters in every episode backfired here, as no individual storyline stood out. While Pascal and Lyla Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) had their moments, their appeal rested more on the actors’ performances than on strong writing.
In essence, the episode fell into a common pitfall for ensemble dramas: attempting to juggle too many characters at once, which diluted the impact of each storyline.
Why “Birds of Prey” Missed the Mark
In isolation, “Birds of Prey” is an average episode—serviceable for fans of the series but forgettable in the larger context of the season. Its real problem lies in its placement within season 13. Coming right after two pivotal episodes, it felt uniquely aimless. Viewers could skip directly to episode 4 without missing any major plot points, which is a significant issue for a serialized drama like Chicago Fire.
The lack of urgency or significant revelations made the episode feel like filler, a stark contrast to the tension-filled stories that usually define the franchise.
Can Chicago Fire Bounce Back?
Despite its shortcomings, “Birds of Prey” isn’t a sign of broader issues for Chicago Fire. Both Pascal and Novak have been given more depth in subsequent episodes, and the series remains a beloved part of the One Chicago franchise. With its strong ensemble cast and history of compelling storytelling, the show is likely to recover from this stumble.
For fans, “Birds of Prey” may be a minor disappointment, but it doesn’t diminish the overall strength of the season. Hopefully, it will remain the lowest-rated episode of the year, ensuring the rest of season 13 continues to deliver the high-quality drama that viewers expect.
