Chicago Fire 10×12 “Show of Force” is about a couple of things. It’s about Jason Pelham, yes, and about how hard it is to live life without having people on your side – without anyone having your back. But the episode, nay, this entire storyline, is mostly about Stella Kidd, and the kind of person she is. The kind of role model she has always been.
The easiest thing for her would have been to do nothing, to feel nothing. To ignore the good in Jason Pelham and take the spot that should have rightfully been hers.
Instead, Stella Kidd was Stella Kidd, the one who would never take the easy road over the right one. Just as Stellaride was Stellaride, finally. And both those things combined made and episode that was presumably going to focus on one character who’s already gotten much more attention than we are comfortable with, one of the best Chicago Fire episodes this season.
So let’s talk about Stella Kidd, about the solid Stellaride we deserved and about where we go from here as we discuss Chicago Fire 10×12 “Show of Force”:
STELLA KIDD, THE LEADER
I was so scared this episode was going to give Stella the job she deserved because someone else failed. Instead, Chicago Fire 10×12 “Show of Force” is literally 40+ minutes showcasing who Stella Kidd is, why she deserves that job, our undivided love and attention, Kelly Severide’s undivided love and attention and probably 6 different awards.
The way Chicago Fire set this up didn’t really give them many storytelling possibilities that would be fair to both the character they’d constructed in Pelham, and the Stella Kidd we all knew. He deserved better than to lose his job the way he almost did, but Stella also deserved better than to get it because someone else got screwed out of it. And when push came to shove, we cared much more about Stella than we cared about the guy we literally just met about a month ago.
But we didn’t get the story I dreaded, the one, for a second there, it felt the show was leading towards. Instead we got Stella Kidd the problem solver. Stella Kidd the leader. And yes, we got the Stella Kidd who understands not just the importance of having a team, but the importance of standing up for what you believe in. If Stella hadn’t backed Pelham, she wouldn’t be Stella. Even if that might have been easier. Even if it could have given her the job.
And we got the Stella Kidd we can – should – all be proud of. Not just because she’s all heart, which she is, but because she’s the perfect combination of brains, heart, determination and courage of convictions. She didn’t get the job this time, but she managed what Boden, Severide and Pelham hadn’t and she saved the day. Not by herself, no. But she didn’t need to. That’s what she’s got a team, one she’s very good at leading.
YOU GOT THIS, STELLA KIDD
We also got the Stellaride we needed, the one we deserved, and more importantly, the one that always existed before a few episodes of weird writing to compensate for Miranda’s break made us worry. Because this is why we fell in love with Stellaride. They work together like a well-oiled machine, support each other, trust each other and yes, make each other better.
And because, man got a ring. Basically proposal 2.0. And he made it as romantic as possible, because that’s what his girl deserved. That’s the memory he wanted to create, for both of them.
Stella Kidd is the woman Kelly Severide loves. The one he wants to be with, forever. The last few episodes had tried to make us doubt that, but there’s nothing to doubt. Stella was Stella this episode, and guess what? That’s all Kelly Severide really wanted to see. Her. Being herself.
Kelly Severide is the man Stella Kidd loves. The one she wants to be with, forever. Sure, doubts crept in and life got to be too much for a bit. But even when the world felt like it was about to crush Stella, that was the one thing she was sure of. And as Kelly finally believed in that, Stella managed to take a deep breath and just …act like herself.
Hopefully this is it. This is the end of silly drama. We want this Stellaride. We’ll watch this Stellaride.
No getting tired of their happiness, we promise.
NOW WHAT?
With a long hiatus to come, the episode leaves a few things hanging that we’re not exactly sure how they’re going to fix going forward. Starting with Pelham, who now has his job back but who has never felt as much like a character whose storyline is over. There’s nothing for him to do anymore.
He could, of course, choose not to go back to 51. Stella saved him, after all, and he knows she doesn’t just deserve the job, she’s better at it than him. Plus, he can now probably easily get another post. He could also be killed off, somehow, later on. But those seem to be the only two options right now, considering his CFD issues are now over and there really isn’t much for him, storytelling wise, to do anymore.
Then there’s Hawkami, which is now a thing. But it’s a complicated thing. Especially because Chief Hawkins is, oh yes, the Chief. But that seems like a smaller obstacle than what separate Violet from Gallo these days. And whether it turns out to be a thing Chicago Fire wants to invest in permanently or not, right now, it’s time to see this storyline through.
If I’m being honest, though, those aren’t exactly the worst questions to be left with as we go into a hiatus. Kickass Stella, happy Stellaride and other things to worry about? I’m game. I’m always game.
Things I think I think:
- This episode brought the Stellaride AND the Stella Kidd I love. There’s nothing more I could ask for.
- Take-charge-Stella is my aesthetic.
- First time I truly liked Pelham was when he was hyping Stella. What can I say?
- Also, Stella solving the Pelham problem is the most Stella thing ever.
- Gallo, Ritter and Violet treating Sylvie like she’s old was kind of …hilarious. And painful. I’m probably Sylvie in this situation.
- Dude, let them cut the ring.
- When Stella said “nobody hangs up on Stella Kidd” I knew she was going to fix everyth8ing.
- If she and Maggie from Med got together, they could probably fix the world.
- The way Severide was just like “babe, you know what you’re doing?” and then when she confirmed he was like “ok, good, just checking, go kick ass” was PERFECTION.
- Herrmann and his family made my heart grow three sizes.
- Chief Hawkins at the gala was …yeah, enough to make me forget about other plans, too.
- When Severide said “I’m actually the luckiest man in Chicago,” I melted.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 10×12 “Show of Force”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
The only thing I disagree with (and only based on Miranda’s BTS on her IG yesterday), is that Pelham is still around- for a bit anyway!
I felt the show lowered the sexy hunk Severide to a subservient follower who was at Self-centered Stella’s beck and call.
I’m so happy Stella Kidd is back on Chicago Fire, she is the best.
I very much Appreciate this review Absolutely adored this whole Fire episode. So many good lessons: Stella shined so bright, Herman was a magnificent Dad and the trio of Ritter, Gallo & girl- give a lift to humor