There’s a lot we love about One Chicago shows beyond ships but, let’s face it, we can’t live without ships! And couples are important to the emotional development of the characters in Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med, so we’re going to analyze the progress of our beloved ships each week in a rountable.
All our feels about these ships will be summarized here and we’re only going to talk about them here for, you know, reasons … but you can check our full reviews if you want much more. And now, let’s take a look at the love lives of our favorite firefighters, cops and doctors!
Here we go!
Jealousy and trying to move on was the way for Brettsey this week and it was frustrating and painful to watch. Do you think the characters are doing the right thing? And do you see both of them deciding to explore other relationships? As for Stella and Severide, he went full avoidance this episode … and afterwards found himself alone in an empty house. In your opinion, did Stella do the right thing? And Severide?
Raquel: It’s a complicated question … I ship them like crazy, so I think the right thing to do would be for them to be together, get married and spend their whole lives together but I think they are doing the right thing considering where their relationship is right now. It’s pain, yes, but the kind that is enjoyable because it’s good and necessary. Sometimes characters need to go through stuff like this. Trying to move forward, explore other relationships, and trying to forget about each other only to realize that they just can’t.
For Casey to realize there is no one but Brett, and to see that for Brett there is no one but Casey. No matter how hard they try, no matter how much they fight against their own feelings … the heart always has a way of speaking loud and clear and of breaking through all the barriers that we want to put up to avoid it.
So they need to go through this to be able to understand that Gaby is no longer a factor or an impediment to their relationship, because Casey is already over her and that, as their friend, she would be happy that two of the most important people in her life are happy together.
Right now they’re afraid of failing because everything is too complicated … and they must realize that loving each other is as easy as breathing. For that, they need a reality check. Both of them.
As for Stella and Severide, I don’t ship them anywhere near as much as Brettsey but I think she did the right thing. She constantly tried to figure out what the hell was wrong with Severide and why he just wasn’t talking to her, fighting her own urge to be mad at him because she thought they were over all that shit already. But she just wasn’t going to wait for him her whole life. If Severide didn’t do anything to fight for her … she wasn’t going to sit around waiting for him to do it. And that’s my girl!
Severide has completely disappointed me. I thought he was over this just shutting himself off and not communicating. Because that’s what he should do, communicate with Stella. There is not much else I can comment on about him because disappointment clouds everything. As they say, we don’t realize what we have until we lose it and when Severide realizes his mistakes, will it be too late?
Lizzie: I’m not a fan of what’s happening with either Brettsey or Stellaride, but I’m also a pragmatic in this regard. I knew pain was coming, and I don’t always trust shows to do angst the right way. Fanfic writers? Now, those people know how to milk the angst for everything it’s worth, and do it in a way that will have you tearing up – TV writers, somehow they just don’t always manage it. So, I went in with low expectations in regards to how they would move forward.
That being said – new love interests to push two people together? How very original, Chicago Fire. NOT. I mean, I get what you’re trying to do with Brettsey, I do, but did you really need Casey to try with someone else for him to figure out that Brett is all he wants? He already said she’s been the only one on his mind for a while. So, there was really no need for the added love interest to get to the same place, which is Matt has to figure out that he does want Brett, just her, and that to get her …he needs to actually man up and talk to her, prove to her that he wants her. That she isn’t just a replacement, or the easy way out, she is exactly what he wants, for good.
As for Sylvie, her issues are different. She has every right to feel like what Casey has given her isn’t enough. She’s asserting what he needs, and what she deserves out a relationship, and I truly commend her for it. We don’t see enough women on TV doing what she did, which is saying: “I need this from you, and if you can’t give me this, then I won’t settle for less.” I’ve always liked her, but despite the pain, and the somewhat annoying storyline, I am super proud of her for this decision. Let’s normalize women not just taking whatever’s given to them, because that way doesn’t lie happiness.
Stellaride is another issue altogether, because despite the fact that, at times, this feels like a regression for Kelly, I don’t really think it is as much. I mean, yes, he’s acting like an idiot, and somewhat similarly to how he’s acted in the past, but there’s something very different about it in that this time, his reasoning for it is actually …noble. Dumb, of course, because TALK TO THE WOMAN YOU LOVE, YOU DUMMY (and get Matt to do the same), but also mostly noble.
That being said, good for Stella. Just like Sylvie, she put herself first, she made the decision for herself, and that’s exactly what she should be doing, because she shouldn’t have to carry the burden of a relationship when Severide isn’t pulling his weight. It’s frustrating as a viewer who is a fan of both couples, but I’m incredibly proud of the women of Chicago Fire, and the way the show has turned silly angst about couples into a chance to show not just women being assertive and making choices for themselves, but the power of female friendship. More of this, please. If I keep seeing it, I might even forgive the rest.
Samantha: It’s really hard for me to say whether or not Brettsey did the right thing. If Brett is truly bothered by the whole Gabby of it all, then she has every right to move on and not pursue things with Matt any further. On the other hand, if Casey really does have feelings for Brett, he needs to do everything in his power to convince her that he’s over Gabby and really fight for her.
I get that he thinks he’s doing what Brett wants since she told him that she needs space, but she only told him that because she believes that he’s still in love with Gabby. That being said, I do see both of them deciding to explore other relationships. Brett because she’s convinced Casey still loves Gabby and wants to cool things with him, and Casey because he thinks Brett doesn’t want to pursue things with him anymore and once he sees Brett moving on, he’ll do the same.
As for Stellaride, he’s acting like early seasons Severide and I’m not here for it. I do think Stella did the right thing by staying with Brett for a while. She’s been there for her more these past episodes than Severide has. As far as she knows, Severide is avoiding her for who knows why and doesn’t seem to want to be around her.
I think she did the right thing by giving him his space and allowing him to hopefully come to his senses. Whether Severide did the right thing on the other hand is a bit more complicated. He doesn’t want to get in the way of her success and wants to allow her to prove to the other officers in the CFD that she can make it without him. However, completely avoiding Stella and shutting her out is not the answer.I don’t know if he really can’t tell that his actions are hurting Stella or he just doesn’t care, but either way it isn’t a good look. Stella is the best thing to happen to Severide in a long time and if he isn’t careful, he’s gonna lose her.
Logan: This is a loaded question. I have so many feelings about Brettsey. I have been rooting for them for a long time. (Last season I was told I was delusional and they were nothing more than friends several times so everything in season nine has been very vindicating for me.) Which means, you’ll have to forgive my extremely long answer. I wasn’t on last week’s roundtable to vent like everyone else so you’re gonna get a bit of that here. They have already caused me a massive amount of pain since Brett asked her very important question at the end of episode two and I don’t expect that to end anytime soon. I mean, it is One Chicago after all.
As for this episode, I don’t think it’s as simple as “are they doing the right thing?” This relationship was always going to be complicated and messy in the beginning. The feelings started for both of them at the end of season seven but through it all anything to do with Gabby was swept under the rug, even after she came back last season. We all knew the lack of dialogue from Matt about what that meant and how he felt about Gabby was going to come into play in a very big way. The emotions are nuanced and the stakes are high. So, to me, it’s not as simple as right or wrong.
Sylvie is right to protect her heart, especially given all she’s lost in the last two seasons. (Also in light of her being collateral damage because of a certain ex-boyfriend who was also recovering from a complicated relationship/divorce.) Plus, you have to factor in that from her perspective Matt seems to either still be in love with Gabby or have no clue what he wants. Neither option is a good foundation for a romantic relationship.
So, yes, I do think she’s right to ask for distance and try to move on. Does it hurt me to watch her and Matt struggle with that? Absolutely. Do I wish she’d maybe try and prod him to explain himself a little better? Yes. Do I think she’s wrong not to prod him? No, because Matt figuring himself out is not her responsibility. She can’t do that for him. Also, I am totally on board to watch Lieutenant Handsome from Firehouse 40 make Sylvie smile the way he made her smile in this episode. I missed her sunny smile. (Remember the Heads Up game in the premiere? Can we go back to that? *sobs in Brettsey*)
As for Matt, I want to shake him. I want to make him give Sylvie a clear and concise answer. I want him to understand the problem in the first place because he doesn’t seem to based on his conversation with Severide. What’s especially frustrating about this is that he and Sylvie have proven themselves to have good communication in the past so this sudden breakdown is maddening. I know he’s all in his extremely big feelings over Sylvie, but the man needs to sit down and think about everything.
What Sylvie’s told him in their handful of conversations since the kiss, what he wants, where he wants his future to go even without Sylvie or Gabby — all of it. He does not need to use someone else to avoid the tangled mess in his head. In fact, I’d say that’s the last thing he needs. But it’s television and for some reason television writers have the worst time figuring out where the truly delicious angst really lies. (If fanfic authors can fix it in two thousand words or less then why can’t professionals? Someone answer this for me because I don’t get it.)
So, do I think he’s doing the right thing by contemplating calling Sydney in Marketing? I most certainly do not. But do I understand that he’s floundering and hurt and completely lost at the moment? Yes. People who are hurt and lost do very dumb things. Do I also understand that he’s trying to be respectful of Sylvie’s wishes? Completely, and I expect that of him.
Matt Casey is a gentleman who respects women. So I think he’s wrong and also right. Like I said, it’s messy. What I really want is for him to see what the problem is and that he has the ability to fix it. If he can understand the true issue then he doesn’t have to let go and move on. But, as this is a prime time tv drama, that will take some time. He’ll get there…eventually.
(Once the writers are done regressing him to season 7 Matt Casey and forcing him to seem almost intentionally obtuse. Yes, that’s right, I said it. Season 8 Matt Casey was not this dumb. Where did he go? Can we get him back?)
Phew, okay, sorry about that lengthy answer but Brettsey is my ship above all other ships.
Now for Stellaride. This conflict I understand perfectly well. Severide is being Severide and trying to protect Stella while also standing back and letting her shine. He doesn’t want to tell her what Conway said out of fear it will hurt her feelings or make her feel as if she’s lost respect within the department. I get that and appreciate that he’s being mindful of her reputation.
But what he neglects to consider is that Stella is probably expecting all kinds of rumors. Women striving for leadership positions are constantly aware that men will look for any excuse to accuse them of sleeping their way to the top. Also, deciding how to tackle rumors about her is not a decision he can make for her. Stella deserves to have a say. So, while I understand his intentions and do think it shows his growth, I think he’s going about this all wrong and he deserved to come home to an empty apartment. It’s a hard lesson but he needs to learn it. Especially if he plans to have a future with boss babe Stella Kidd. She is going places and this won’t be the first and only time they have to deal with these kinds of rumors.
If that answer wasn’t obvious enough then, hell yes I think Stella Kidd did the right thing. Kelly’s intentions are good but he is keeping her in the dark and hurting her very deeply. If he thinks they should have space and plans to avoid her all the time then what is the point of living together or seeing each other at all? Besides that, her focus should be on that Lieutenant’s exam and the way he’s acting is a distraction she doesn’t need. If Severide can’t communicate his issue to her then that’s his problem. She still has to live her own life as best she can and that’s exactly what she’s doing.
Basically, I am proud of my girls this season. Brett and Kidd are brave badasses who know they’re worth and expect the men in their lives to know it too. Good for them and good for Chicago Fire. Now, can the writers get these men to catch on and start showing Brett and Kidd the love and appreciation they deserve? Seriously, I’m tired.
Time for Chicago PD! Everything seemed good for Upstead … until it wasn’t. Do you think the characters moved forward or backward emotionally? What’s your opinion about Hailey lying to Jay? Also, we didn’t have anything from Burzek this episode! Have you missed them?
Raquel: I think the characters both moved forward and backward emotionally. I mean, we had that emotional Upstead breakthrough in that opening scene of the episode. It’s about damn time these two figured that out and we love it!
I think that is progress because before they simply did not dare to do anything with their feelings, out of fear, because they were afraid of the risk of taking that leap of faith … but now they took the step and dared to be together, overcoming their fears and what was holding them back from just kissing and loving each other and being carried away by what they feel for each other. That sounds like progress to me.
However, Hailey’s lie was a clear emotional setback for this couple. I mean, we already thought they were over this lying thing and they knew they could trust each other. They have always done it as partners. Now that they are a couple … nothing should have changed. And I really get it.
I understand that for Hailey this is tremendously personal and that she was not ready to tell Jay that all this forgiving thing is rubbish because he abused her, put her through hell and she is in her right not to forgive him and that she doesn’t care if he lives or dies or what happens to him, no matter how horrible it may sound to strange ears.
Their relationship is very new, she is not used to talking about this with anyone and less so openly, telling him all the things she thinks, even the most horrible … for fear that Jay will look at her differently, for fear that she looks like a monster to his eyes. She just doesn’t want to disappoint him, to lose him, she doesn’t want to see that disappointment in his eyes, not directed at her. It’s … too much for her. They just started and the thought that something can mess it up, that she can do it … no, she’s not up to it. So she just lies to him.
And I understand her motives but Hailey just had to tell Jay that she wasn’t ready yet. Just tell him that, that she still can’t talk about it but that she will at some point. And it’s what she should have done. There was no reason to lie.
Because all of this, Hailey’s reason for lying is fear, her own conflicting feelings between what she thinks she should do and what she actually wants to do, but Jay never wanted to convince her to forgive the monster. He only tried to help her, being there when she needed him. Yes, they have different ways of thinking but that doesn’t mean anything.
But he would have understood if she didn’t forgive her father, if she didn’t want to. He wouldn’t have judged her. He would have understood and supported her. But … will he understand the lie? I don’t think so.
Burzek … there are no words to tell you how much I missed them! I love them together and after all the content of the previous episode, I wanted to see how they interact with each other, if something had changed and somehow they were … closer but I was left with the desire. Judging from the photos for the next episode, Burzek will be back with a vengeance and can’t wait!
Lizzie: Let’s start with the easy part of this and say I truly missed Burzek. I went from not truly liking them when they were together, and not caring when they broke up, to thinking Kim deserved better, to warming up to them, and now I’m like ok but when do I get it because I didn’t appreciate it when I had it so I need more. And hey, it looks like we’ll get it next episode!
As for Upstead, uuuugh. I mean, there were worse things they could have done, I guess, and I do understand the situation is apples and oranges, we cannot compare our relationship with our parents to anyone else’s, but straight up lying? I don’t know, I just wish we’d gotten to see them more established as a couple before they started throwing these things that we know are going to come back to bite them in the ass. I understand Hailey, but I also understand Jay, and I don’t know if when this all explodes they’ll be able to stop and be like, ok, we’re both seeing this from a different perspective, and both are valid.
That being said, let’s really look at this from Hailey’s perspective, okay? She isn’t used to being in a relationship, to have someone she can rely on, someone who won’t judge her, someone who is always on her side. That’s a really hard transition, and maybe she should have been honest, but the fact that she wasn’t isn’t an indictment on their relationship, it’s about Hailey, nothing more, nothing less. And a part of me feels like maybe Jay knew she was lying, his face at the end was a little like “ok i’ll let it go because you need me to.”
Let’s just not make this last too long okay? I just really like my couples to communicate, and it kind of annoys me that lying is the first obstacle they throw their way, as much as I understand why they might have done it. But things are happier here than on Chicago Fire, so I guess I shouldn’t really complain too much. Could be worse. And hopefully this will just bring about a closer Upstead, because it will lead to them actually opening up to each other.
Samantha: I think Upstead moved forward emotionally, but only because Jay doesn’t know the truth. There was that opening scene which of course helped them move forward emotionally, but there’s also the fact that Jay thinks that he helped Hailey get up the courage to go see her abusive father in the hospital.
She flat out lied to him and told him that they talked. Why is it that every character in the One Chicago universe seems to think that it’s okay to lie to their partner when they’re in a relationship? I get that Hailey probably just didn’t want him pestering her about going to see her father anymore, but she’s got to understand where he’s coming from. Jay’s dad died when they weren’t on the best of terms, and I think he regrets how they left things. I think he regrets that he didn’t get to say goodbye to his dad and that he spent the last moments of his dad’s life hating him, and he doesn’t want the same thing to happen to Hailey.
I also think that Hailey needs to take a look at the track record when it comes to One Chicago relationships. Chexton and Manstead all had big instances of lying in their relationship when Will lied to Natalie about working for the FBI and April didn’t tell Ethan about her kiss with Crockett, and neither couple are together anymore. Stellaride also is experiencing their own case of not being truthful with Severide not telling Stella what’s really going on. Moral of the story is, if you want your relationship to stand a chance in the One Chicago universe, honesty is the best policy.
As for Burzek, like I said last week, I’m not a huge Burzek shipper. I really like their friendship, but I wouldn’t be mad if things didn’t go any further than that. That being said, I didn’t really miss Burzek this week. I don’t mind Burzek content when we get it, but I’m also not dying to have it every week. I don’t hate Burzek, I just have other One Chicago ships that I like more. I have more of a “go with the flow and let’s see what happens” attitude when it comes to Burzek. I don’t love them, but I also don’t hate them.
Logan: So, I am probably more objective about Upstead than most. I like them, but I’m not devout about them or anything. That being said, they clearly make each other very happy. The opening scene was completely sweet and sexy. So, good for them! After 2020 we should all grab onto happiness wherever we find it. But after that…
Man, it got angsty fast. I totally understand that Upton has a complicated relationship with her father. She had a traumatic childhood and those scars will never go away. It is completely up to her how she handles that relationship and I don’t really think Jay should have pressured her to go see him. But I also understand that Jay lost his father in a heartbreaking way and if I remember correctly their last exchange wasn’t great. He had a very tense relationship with his father and for him those last few moments with him probably meant a lot to him. The difference is that his relationship with his father was tense…not abusive.
I also think Upton was a little overly sensitive. She was seeing meaning in Jay’s words that he didn’t intend. I completely understand why she would. Emotions are running high and she had a lot going on. Do I think she should have lied to him at the end of the episode? No. But as with most things in One Chicago, it’s messy and nuanced. Do I think they took a step backward because of it? I’m not sure. It’s hard to say since the romantic part of their relationship is so new. I do think it will come back to bite them so maybe this is a two steps forward and one step back situation. They moved forward but maybe not quite as far forward as Jay thinks they did.
And yes of course I miss Burzek! I love them! Those two deserve to be Chicago PD’s most solid and committed couple. The fact that we’re in season eight and they still aren’t is a crying shame. Come on, writers, fix it!
In Chicago Med, it’s clear that they have bet on Mancel! Are you on board with this ship or is your heart stuck on Manstead? Then there’s Will and April. Could something happen there now that they’re working so closely? Would you like that?
Raquel: The truth is that I have never shipped any couple too hard on this show. That makes it possible that, if the stories are developed well, I can fall in love with any couple in this show and ship them forever. That is why I’m open to a Mancel relationship. I think it’s quite interesting … and it’s true that he has a “without obligation” rule, but I always think that when you find the right person those rules don’t work and I think Natalie can be THE ONE for him. Who knows?
In particular, I quite like these “I don’t want to commit but I fall hopelessly and without realizing” stories. So … yeah, I’m open to that. Because besides, Manstead never had me. I never felt like they were the right couple. Yes, for a moment they were cute but … there was something that just didn’t fit me and it never did.
That said, I saw a clear spark between Will and April that I think they could use for a relationship, even if it doesn’t last long. Am I on board? Not really. Like I said, I have never shipped too strongly on this show but the couple that I ship the most on the show is Chexton so I don’t want anything romantic to happen between Will and April. Besides, it would be … a bit too complicated for everyone involved.
Lizzie: I like Mancel, though I still like it in a very casual way, and whether that changes will depend on how the show treats them going forward. They could do a lot to create one of those couples that carry shows, or they could just decide this is setup for something else, and I don’t think we know at this point where they’re going. So I’m in a way and see mode – like it, but refuse to commit my heart, just in case. One Chicago has burned me before, man. Badly.
As for April and Will, can we just …let Will be single? For an entire season. Just, like a season of him working on his dumb self? Will was one of my favorite characters when this show started, and I still see glimpses of the Will I loved in him, but I cannot stand much more of him making dumb decisions after dumb decisions. He needs to get his life together and start making better choices for himself before any other romantic relationship is introduced. We say this a lot for women on TV, but right now, I’m saying it for Will: Focus on you, okay? Focus on you.
Samantha: As a huge Manstead shipper I never thought I’d say this, but I’m warming up to Mancel. That being said, I still firmly believe that Manstead is endgame and my heart will always lie with them. I’m interested in seeing where things go with Macel and possibly exploring a Mancel fling as long as Manstead is endgame. I don’t see Mancel lasting very long, especially since, as Natalie has pointed out before, Crockett has a history of one night stands. He seems to enjoy sleeping with women without having any sort of actual commitment. Which, as much as I want this to work out for Natalie’s sake since he seems to make her happy, makes me wonder if Natalie will end up being anything more than another one of Crockett’s one night stands.
As for Will and April, I think I hate the idea of them as a couple more than I hated the idea of Mancel. They haven’t really had much interaction ever, so I think it would be weird for things to turn romantic between them. I also think it would be weird if a romance started between them because not every doctor at Chicago Med needs to date each other. There have already been relationships or romantic feelings between Will and Natalie, Ethan and April, April and Crockett, and now Crockett and Natalie. Some relationships can stay as just friendships.
Logan: Oh, I am on board the Mancel train! A hundred percent! They’re smitten faces and dorky flirty exchanges have had me hooked since the show started to explore their connection and chemistry. Bring it on as far as I’m concerned. I will say though, I’m a little worried. I was fully expecting a torturous slow burn and the fact that they just…jumped has me scratching my head. I’m not sure it bodes well for the rest of the season. There’s a lot those two need to talk about and I’m not sure how much talking will happen now that they’ve gotten physical.
As for April and Will, I did enjoy watching them work together. That was a nice change of pace. Med has been switching things up a lot this season and it’s been refreshing to witness. But do I get romantic vibes from them? Not at the moment. That’s not to say I won’t later, but for now I think I’d rather see them become better friends. Television shows rarely write male and female friendships and I think I’d like to see that develop for them first.
Also, Will needs to work on his professional reputation so can he focus on that? Perhaps? Maybe get to a place where he stops making the same mistakes over and over again and starts listening to his patients and their family members? He’s got a bit of a god complex and I need him to work through that, please #LetWillHalsteadStopBeingAHotMess2k21.
Agree? Desagree? Don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below!
One Chicago airs Wednesdays on NBC.