We don’t watch One Chicago just for the ships, but there are many ships to watch in these shows. So, in the interest of keeping up with one of the most important parts of Chicago Fire, Chicago PD and Chicago Med, we’re going to be examining the progress of the featured ships every week, in a roundtable.
This is in now way meant to be exhaustive, and we’ll only be talking ships here – check out our full reviews if you want more. If you, however, want to see us talk about the love lives of our favorite doctors, firefighters, paramedics and cops …well, this is the place for you.
CHICAGO FIRE
Are you even alive after that episode of Chicago Fire? We got a Stellaride proposal AND a confession of love from Matt Casey. Without qualifiers! Try to break down your feelings, first, about Kelly and Stella’s big moment, and then about Matt Casey finding his words, and Sylvie’s reaction to it. Where do both couples go from here?
Lizzie: This was one of the best episodes of Chicago Fire, dare I say ever? It’s the kind of episode that clearly proves this show, in its ninth season, is anything but stale. And having some happiness, having couples commit to each other, isn’t the end of a show. The idea that having people love each other and express that, that storylines that kept couples together, is not just impossible, but bad for entertainment is just so …I’m not even going to say 20 years ago, but 40? And it was wrong even then!
I’ll start with Stellaride because …wasn’t that just the worst and the best proposal ever, at the same time? Actually, no, it was just the best, even if it had all those things that could have made it such a bad idea. It was so off-the-cuff, and Kelly was still doubting 3 seconds before, and yet there’s nothing better than when people speak from the heart. With all that being said, in the middle of a fire, Kelly? Like, I know you’re an experienced firefighter, but were you even measuring the danger around you both? Methinks not. As much as I adore your dramatic ass, can we please dial down the drama a notch or twenty for the next big milestone? Kthanx.
For me, the scene at the end was even better than the proposal, because it was at once both hot and tender. I fell in love with Stella Kidd before I fell in love with Stellaride, and she helped me fall in love with Kelly Severide again, which actually just shows the impact she had not just on him, but on this show in general. So much of what works on Chicago Fire today is because of Stella Kidd, and by extension Miranda Rae Mayo, and I don’t think we can give her enough props for that.
And Stellaride is the definition of solid. They are the gold standard. But that doesn’t make them predictable, or boring …there’s no meh, been there done that with them. They’re just authentic, and incredibly good together. Because they believe in each other, yes, because they make each other better, yes, because they are committed to the growth, to the good, to the bad, to the bumps. And I really can’t wait to see more of that going into next season. They’re always a joy to watch.
Moving on to Brettsey, oh Matt. When you said all those words I actually had to take a pause. Like, there was no qualifier involved! You had all those feelings, and you let them out! And I’m super proud, and almost kinda want to smack you a little because this isn’t something you just discovered yesterday, or something the conversation with Gabby made you realize. That you even needed that convo to find your words …such a man. But since you found them, I guess I’ll go easy on you.
The scene between them was perfect, because it was all in. Cards on the table. And Matt did it with no immediate expectations, too. He knows the ball was on his court, and he made his move and then just …walked away and let Sylvie process. That struck me as the most important part, actually. That he didn’t say what he said and then just demanded an immediate answer. He found the words and put his feelings out there because they were true. And of course, he has hopes and expectations, but just like Sylvie before, he wasn’t projecting them on the other person. He was just expressing himself.
I have no doubt of what Sylvie’s reaction will be. No doubt, whatsoever. We’ll get a little drama, because this is TV, and then she will go tell Casey that she loves him too, and she wants to be with him. Because she does. This season has proved it. And they’d be good together, this season has proved that too. They’re two incredibly selfless people who are used to putting everyone around them first. In each other, they have finally found the one person that forces them to look at that part of themselves and realize that, sometimes, the key to happiness is learning to ask for what you want. And they want each other.
Can you imagine the hiatus fic with these two together going into season 10? I really CAN’T WAIT.
Raquel: OMG OMG OMG I’ve been DEAD SINCE I WATCHED THIS EPISODE, I SWEAR! I wanted to shout from the rooftops so much – I will neither confirm nor deny that I stopped the video to shout a few times … and maybe there was a celebratory dance … or two -. It’s just … everything works. Absolutely everything.
Severide’s fear struck me as so tender, so … considerate. He knew Stella’s doubts about getting married again and he didn’t want her to feel pressured to do something she didn’t feel like … even if it meant that his heart would break. And the proposal was so them. When they’re together, they just complement each other in an incredible way, in a way the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
And they’re there, in the middle of the fire and … the fears, the insecurities are over, it is now or never. They could die in the next second and they want to do it together, with each other’s breath in their mouths. So Severide proposes it and Stella says yes. Severide changed everything for her, he broke her schemes, gave her his heart, she saw him grow, change, evolve, she loves him and of course she wants a life with him. Forever. They don’t need any more words, they don’t need anything else. Their looks, their hearts, their souls connect.
It was the perfect proposal for them, the perfect moment. In their own style. And so precious it made me cry. I would not have wanted anything else for them. Really, it’s just … just how it should be.
And now Brettsey. Goddess, Casey I could kiss you to death! Finally, finally, FINALLY you found the words. All the words. Casey left nothing behind. There is nothing more that is kept in his heart. He opened it wide, there, right in front of Sylvie, trusting her to take care of it, to keep it, to save it. There is no one else for him. He closed the past … forever. And he can never feel the same for someone else.
Neither does she. He knows. It’s time for her to accept it too.
They love each other. They love each other so much it hurts. Sylvie’s fear was that Gaby was still in Casey’s head and heart and during this episode her fears grew more because of those phone calls. But those calls are the key. They’re necessary to close the past once and for all. To give it a definitive closure.
I love when Fire surprises me. I thought Casey needed action to show Sylvie that Gaby was the past. But no, Casey found the exact words that proved everything to Sylvie. He just let his heart speak for him and it’s so beautiful. There, Casey’s heart with all his fears, with all his insecurities, with all his pain, his hopes, his love … exposed in front of Sylvie. Beautiful. Precious. Marvelous. Magical. If that’s not a declaration of love, what is?
And Sylvie’s reaction. She is shocked. She didn’t expect that statement from Casey, She didn’t expect to see his heart exposed to her, open to her, She didn’t expect to see how Gaby is no longer an obstacle between them. She didn’t expect to see how the last barrier between them fall and for all that remained to be that jump into the void and trust falling into Casey’s arms.
I’ll be honest, when I saw the scene for the first time, I yelled at my tv for Sylvie to give him a good snogging after that statement but, thinking about it coldly, her reaction is much more logical and I understand her. She just didn’t expect any of this and now it’s up to her to decide if she jumps into the void, if she trusts that Casey will be waiting for her with open arms.
Logan: I AM A GHOST. I am answering these questions from beyond the grave! WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE ALL THE HAPPINESS? Both the main ships were FLYING HIGH in this episode. I’m so happy that I find it hard to believe I didn’t dream it!
Oh man, what to say about Stellaride. They are so incredibly perfect! I won’t lie, I still wish we had an actual conversation before the proposal, BUT I am all for Kelly Severide showing his growth by expressing his emotions, wants, and desires in real time! I can’t be mad at him because he’s learning to trust his love for Stella and he’s leaning into her! It’s so healthy and I am ecstatic that we get to see the evidence of all the ways Stella has made him better on our screens!
Also, can we talk about how Kelly Severide is a dramatic KING. I honestly didn’t believe my own eyes at first when he started to take off his mask and kneel. In the middle of a fire, Kelly? Really? But it was just so incredibly emotional and very Stellaride to have this vulnerable moment in the middle of being badass firefighters! The fact that the show allows Stellaride to continually be tough and soft all at once is absolutely refreshing! I’m so happy for them!
Now, the main event to me, MATT CASEY. I have been calling him Matthew because I’ve been frustrated with him, BUT NO LONGER. He is Matt once again! Because he found his words! Not just any words either! The perfect words in the perfect moment!
I wanted to hug Sylvie this entire episode. It was so clear she thought Matt and Gabby were getting back together. Her heart was breaking but she was doing what Sylvie does best and setting aside her own emotions to be a supportive friend. (God, this woman deserves the WORLD.) So, for her to leave Molly’s because she just can’t be brave a moment longer only to have Matt follow her out and profess his love was the most flawless timing Matt Casey has ever had!
I can’t see how Sylvie can have any doubts now. Especially given his specific phrasing. The phone call with Gabby, confirmed what he already knew! He made sure to tell her that. He knew he was in love with Sylvie long before talking to Gabby. Talking to Gabby merely gave him the ability to tell Sylvie he loves her with confidence. She can tell him he loves Gabby all she wants, but it won’t confuse him any longer. He knows that he doesn’t with absolute certainty. He was fairly certain before the phone call all talking to Gabby did was confirm it! How amazing must that be for her to hear? Matt Casey has loved Sylvie Brett all along. She just didn’t know it.
It was a short but breathtaking moment! Matt is completely gone for her and you could see it in the unshed tears in his eyes and the way his voice cracked as he choked up. His feelings for her are BIG. So big that he can barely contain them! Coming clean is growth for Matt too! Both Kelly and Matt demonstrated for us how much they’ve grown emotionally to be better communicators for the women they love.
Matt took a big step here! And to top it all off, he didn’t expect a single thing in return! There were no strings attached with that confession. He simply wanted Sylvie to know that she is the only woman taking up space in his heart and mind. He acknowledged that his feelings for her are not conditional on anything else. He loves her as she is for who she is even if she doesn’t want to be with him. They are friends and they will continue to be friends, but he needed her to know precisely how much he cares for her. I will say again, how amazing must that have been for Sylvie to hear?
She has been through so much over the years, and just earlier in the episode she told Violet she feels like she’s always hoping for something she can’t have. But here’s Matt, in front of her in a public street, tell her she can. She can have all the things she wants because he wants those things too! He wants to love her and support her in the same way she longs to love and support him!
With all that amazing news it’s no wonder she was stunned! I would have been too! What do you say when you’re all of a sudden told that you can have the thing you’ve convinced yourself is off limits? She convinced herself that Matt loved Gabby and not her. She truly believed her feelings were hers alone and she was going to have to find a way to live with them. That belief is so deeply ingrained in her that it is of course going to take some time for her to process that.
But that’s okay, Matt Casey is more than willing to wait judging by the way he backed away and gave her space to sit with her emotions. His small smile as he backed away from her said so much! No matter the outcome, he knows he did the right thing! He finally told the woman he loves how he feels. We could see the metaphorical weight being lifted off of his shoulders. I was beaming with pride from the moment he followed her out of Molly’s! Bravo, Matt Casey! Thank you for finally getting those words off your chest!
Now, where will the finale take us? I have a foreboding feeling that Severide may be in danger in our upcoming finale. Things with him and Stella are going too well! We know how Fire likes to drop obstacles on our couples when they’re the happiest they’ve ever been. So, we should all brace ourselves for that next week!
But Brettsey, well they’ve had a bumpy journey all season haven’t they? I think next week that journey will resolve itself. After all, we, the audience, already know how Sylvie feels, don’t we? We know she loves Matt. She told Stella that in the second episode of the season. All that’s left for Brettsey is the how. How does she tell him? And then after she tells him, what happens? I can’t imagine this ends any way but with Brettsey together and finally achieving some sort of peace — at least until season 10 starts and then all bets are off. So, my prediction is that Brettsey will end the season united and strong. I can’t wait to find out whether or not I’m right! Bring on the finale!
CHICAGO PD
Chicago PD set up an intense finale, in an episode that barely focused on ships. But this is a good moment to discuss our two main ones. Is this episode setup for a Burzek reconciliation? Is the show trying to balance out Upstead, or just make Hailey into the darkness to Jay’s light?
Lizzie: I don’t actually think we’re getting a full Burzek reconciliation in the finale, or at least I don’t think we’re likely to get anything but, perhaps, a last second kiss, but only because I don’t think the message they’re trying to send with this run of episodes is too much about the ships. In and of itself, that’s a good thing for them, though, I feel. The whole police reform storyline has been a little shaky for me, and some characters have suffered more than others from the show trying to figure out how to treat it, but if this is leading to them allowing both Burzek and Upstead to exist in the same space, then I’m good. That’s what I wanted.
We’re all a little afraid, and I know the fandom is worried about the Upstead possibilities, particularly because these writers haven’t given us any clue that they believe in balance and they have been leaning very, very hard on this idea of Hailey as the darkness to Jay’s light, which is annoying to say the least, not just because Hailey isn’t responsible for Jay’s actions, but also because we all have light and dark inside us. The best way to deal with this storyline is to focus on the balance a character like Hailey can bring to Jay, and viceversa. It isn’t just about what she brings out in him, it’s what he brings out in her, because that’s what all good partnerships are about.
I will admit I’m a little less concerned after the penultimate episode than I was before. I feel like if the show wanted to make the relationship aspect – either with Burzek or especially Upstead, they wouldn’t have gone ahead with the Kim kidnapping storyline, and they would have just focused on the relationship drama. Since everyone’s going to be focused on something else, though, I don’t think the intention is to bring relationship drama on two fronts WHILE we’re all worried about Kim. That’d be a little too much, even for Chicago PD.
This gives me hope, because it means that whatever they do they’re just going to have to deal with the questions they have raised going forward, during the next season, and these are indeed storylines that deserved some time to breathe, especially if they’re going to be used to make a couple stronger, as I want to hope they are.
Raquel: YES. A big yes. I think we are getting closer to a Burzek reconciliation and that is closer than we think. In fact, my bet is that it will happen in the season finale. Perhaps it is a bit early because they have not given excessive clues about them … but precisely because of that, because it would be a surprise and they always want to surprise us, right? The way Adam came close to losing Kim, the fact that she feels so on the brink of death … I think it will push them to put their fears aside and let their true feelings take over.
However, I’m not so sure about Upstead. I think that nothing in this show is a coincidence and the fact that in episode 14 Voight got into Hailey’s head and that in episode 15 they have not dealt with this, that makes me think that they will do it in the season finale … and that it won’t end well for Upstead. Chicago PD hasn’t given us two happy couples at the same time before – something we’ll talk about later because that’s a huge mistake – and it doesn’t look like this is going to be the first time.
I cross my fingers to be totally wrong because it would be a stupid decision (the correct thing would be to show that they are a balance together), that it would not even make any sense and that it would got me mad. But it is what I feel in my heart.
Logan: I definitely am hopeful that this is set up for Burzek reconciliation! Adam looked like a wreck in the promo for next week and in the promo photos as well! I think this is for sure going to put things in perspective for both Adam and Kim! As for Upstead, I’m hoping they are truly wanting to go for balance. Like I said last week, I do not like the idea that the continuance of Jay’s goodness is being put on Hailey’s shoulders. Jay is dark enough on his own. That’s part of the human condition. Hopefully, this is about them finding away to balance the scales for them both individually and as partners, personally and professionally.
CHICAGO MED
Is there anything to root for ships-wise on Chicago Med? What would you like to see them do going forward?
Lizzie: Obviously, not the ships we got, so what we really need is for Chicago Med to actually …set up some ships going forward. But do it right, okay? None of what you have works, so start from scratch. Bring in two more female characters. Set them up. Make us fall in love with THEM. And then, maybe, when that’s done, we can start thinking about ship setup. But don’t bring characters in that are obviously going to be put into a ship without giving them development. Or I will never care. And I already don’t much care.
Raquel: It’s … hard for me to think of ships at Chicago Med right now. It was complicated before but now … it is almost impossible. With the departure of the actresses, the two great ships of this show are broken. Chexton and Manstead / Mancel. Honestly, it is going to be very difficult for this show to get me excited again with their ships or to be rooting for a new one again. But who knows, I also thought of Chicago Fire and look at me now, a Brettsey and Stellaride fan to the fullest.
But now, the only thing I hope from Med is that, at least, they close the ships in the best way. I think we deserve that after so many years. So yeah, I hope for a sweet way to say goodbye to both couples and do justice to both the couples’ history and the fans. And that, from now on, make better decisions with the characters that remain and with those who will surely come.
Logan: Well, half of any and all ships are leaving so not this season. But I do hope that in the finale we get some solid and sweet closure for Mancel. I don’t want Crockett going into the next season damaged and heartbroken or pining away for Natalie. Speaking of next season, I hope the show takes this moment to bring in two more kickass female characters, maybe two female doctors so they can give Maggie more focus when it comes to the nurse plots, and really takes their time digging into their back stories and making them believable but flawed women. And if one or both of them become love interests for Crockett, Will, or Ethan along the way then fine, but first focus on building them up and making them women we truly root for! If the chemistry is there then the ships will fall into place naturally.
One Chicago airs Wednesdays on NBC.
You people are talking as though these story lines are actual real events and real people. You’re not quite right in the head
To be honest I don’t want Adam and Kim back together romantically again in the finale I want Kevin and Kim to get together romantically. Adam and Kim were too much drama and toxic between them too much back and forth between them and plus Kim don’t even want Adam in that way and now all of a sudden she wants to be with him. W hff at should have broken them up when Adam closed the door on Kim.
I am also happy with Severide and Kidd congratulations to them both and I hope that Matt and Sylvie could get together romantically again as well. What Sylvie did just to get over her feelings for Matt was wrong. I hope that she realized what she did was wrong as well. I would love to see Ethan and April to get back together romantically again but that’s not going to happen sense the actress that plays April is leaving the show.