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 roundtable.
All our feels about these ships will be summarized here and we’re only going to dedicate ourselves to them 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!
We start with Chicago Fire! Brettsey is on their honeymoon and we can’t stop eating popcorn as we look at them with heart eyes, we love them so much! But we also look at them sideways … Do you think these scenes are the reward for waiting so long for Brettsey or do you think this is more like the calm before the storm? Where the hell are our Brettsey/Stellaride double dates? Because we paid for it, we suffered for it, we earned it and it’s our turn to see it. Do you think we will?
Raquel: Our babies! I think it’s a mixture of both. Chicago Fire is giving us what we like, what we want, what the fandom earned by loving Brettsey for so long and waiting so long to see them like this. At the same time, the show is also exploring something new that is a happy couple in which, for the moment, there are no big tensions.
Simple happiness and honeymoon and that enriches the writing because it also has its own challenges. They must connect the fans even more with the couple so that they enjoy it to the fullest and love it without limits and, perhaps, attract those who still don’t love them – seriously, how can you not?
But yeah, normally, in a drama the ships don’t last in this honeymoon phase for very long (with some honorable exceptions), so I’m looking forward to the odd turn for Brettsey soon. But I’m not worried, I’m perfectly calm because I know that they are endgame so no matter how many curves or turns there are, they will always find each other in the middle of the dust, tangles and noise. They will always hug each other in the middle of the road.
WE NEED DOUBLE DATES! I mean, it’s about damn time for this. Stellaride and Brettsey are the main ships of this show, somehow intertwined and the mirror of each other while having their own story to tell and suddenly it also feels like they, these characters, are really important beyond that as well. We need more scenes between them, more interaction and, damn, we earned it.
Lizzie: I always worry when couples are too happy, but I think the Brettsey moment we’re getting is a specific response to two things: first, to the fact that this has been a long time coming, and shows really do like to stay in the honeymoon phase for a bit, to give people a moment to take in the ship, to really enjoy it and love it and connect with it before they throw a curveball or two their way — and also, it’s a little bit of reaffirmation for the fans who saw this building, who believed in it, who wanted it and who got it. It’s not about anything else, or anyone else, but Matt and Sylvie. It doesn’t have to be.
And yeah, it looks like we’re getting at least a scene with both Stellaride and Brettsey next episode, and I really need just …the dynamics between this foursome to solidify. I think these four are the foundation of what the show is building going forward, particularly romance wise, and the smart thing, and hey, coincidentally, the thing a lot of fans want is to just …get more of them together. And that means not just the girls and the boys on one side, I’ll take Sylvie and Severide, and Matt and Stella, and Stella and Matt. I want it all.
Logan: Oh, Brettsey, love of my life. It’s so emotional for me to see them happy! I have been waiting and waiting for it and sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s actually real! I truthfully feel as if this is a little bit of both things that have been mentioned. It’s a little bit of reaffirmation and a little bit of calm before the storm. Although, to be honest, I’m not sure there’s any obstacle in the world that would tear these two apart. I can’t think of any situation they wouldn’t support each other through.
I’m glad we’ve gotten some time to see them as the happy, healthy, and supportive couple they are! They are everything I hoped they would be! They are so proud of each other and in awe of their new partner. I’m sure that whatever obstacles are ahead will only bring them closer and make them stronger! I can’t wait to see where the storyline with Paramedicine and the storyline with Griffin Darden lead them!
As for double dates, it seems like we’re getting a double date of some kind next week! I have been dying to see Stellaride and Brettsey together! I can’t think of anything better than seeing four best friends enjoying each other! (Unless you throw in the four of them essentially adopting Griffin Darden and then that’s definitely better and will for sure make me teary eyed while watching next week.)
I really hope that the show embraces Stellaride and Brettsey as a strong foursome and lets us see them all interacting more often. I am eager for Sylveride and Kiddsey friendships to be showcased along with more Sevasey and Stelvie. (Is that the Stella and Sylvie friendship name? Because it should be.)
We continue with Chicago PD. This time there was no Upstead and our heart aches just at the thought of that, did you miss them? On the other hand, Burzek continues to take steps in the right direction, hints that suggest that this is their season. Do you think it will be soon or is this something for the season finale? Adam has grown up a lot, but do you think he’s where he needs to be to have a family with Kim?
Raquel: Oh yes!!! I always miss Upstead. Surprisingly, Chicago PD has shown us a really balanced episode, something we are not used to. I really appreciate that they’ve gotten better at this (only time will tell if it’s a constant, as it should be) and really the episode is wildly complete and we finally saw Kim and Hailey sharing more than one word every ten episodes.
I would love to have Upstead, I love them so I’m here for Upstead 24/7 but I think this episode is fine the way it is. In short, I don’t think the episode needs it because we had such a need to see Hailey and Kim together that we are willing to sacrifice a moment of our ship for that, as long as the show doesn’t get used to it; however, I wouldn’t have complained if we had seen anything from Upstead. Just saying…
As for Burzek, as we discussed last week, the show is making it very clear that they are going to find their way back together, it’s just a question of when. Right now they are taking these small steps, these … approaches, these words spoken only by looks, moments in which actions half smiles, eyes hooked on each other’s, silences speak louder than the words themselves.
I think that’s what they should do. Recall that Burzek broke up in completely different positions. Kim wanted to get married, have a family, commitment. And Adam wasn’t ready for it and he hurt her more than he’ll ever know when he proposed to her and then fled that engagement through the back door.
Since then, they have been unstable. Their feelings for each other were always there and sometimes it made them meet for one night… but that was it. There was too much fear for both of them of being hurt again, of not being what the other needed, of not being ready. Sometimes love is not enough and that is what happened to Burzek. They had a lot of love but they were both at different times and wanted different things in life.
Until now.
I think now, for the first time in years, they are on the same page. However, bringing them back, that two positions so far apart meet in the middle of the road, is not easy at all. It takes time, work, development… now we are in this phase with Burzek.
They are working on bringing them back together, laying the foundations for their reconciliation. That is why I think that their return as a couple in a complete way, where there are no more doubts, will be something more for the season finale. But we’re going to enjoy every step of the way because we will see them share moments as a family and that, that will be priceless.
Yes, I think Adam is right where he needs to be to have a family with Kim. He’s ready for it. Of course, having a family will mean a lot more challenges, a lot more decisions, and a lot more growth for Adam. In life every day you learn something and you never stop doing it, you never stop learning, making mistakes, growing, living. Adam doesn’t know how to be a father, but he wants to be, with Kim by his side. Like Kim, he will learn step by step, day by day.
Family, kids and life don’t come with an instruction manual under their arms, so that means that Adam and Kim still have a lot to learn, to grow, to live, but do you know what is best? They will do it together.
Lizzie: I thought this was a much more balanced episode than basically any last season, even if it was a Kim-centric one, which means more of a focus on Burzek. I always look for Upstead crumbs, and I’m always happy when they give them to me, but I’m about as happy to be getting some Hailey/Kim, even if I’m not too happy about the reasons we’re finally getting that dynamic. We even had a moment where the show tried to sell us the idea of Kim and Hailey as sisters, which is absurd as they basically didn’t speak once on screen last season, but if this is the storyline that fixes that and gives them some screen time together, I will sacrifice some ship moments to that.
As for Burzek, as I said, I think the progression of the relationship between them, especially with Makayla around, is towards becoming a family. I’ve had my ups and downs with the Kim and Adam relationship, particularly with Adam’s side of it, but I think at this point the storyline is leading towards them getting another chance. If not, then the show should have pivoted away a while ago, and I believe if they didn’t, it’s because they believe this is the relationship they should be writing for. And I find the family aspect of it makes me even more excited for the possibilities than I was before.
One final note re: growth, and I said this in my review too: growth is never final. Adam doesn’t need to get somewhere, he needs to keep growing and trying and adapting. That’s true of all characters, really, but if he had something to prove, perhaps it was this …that he would keep trying, no matter what. I believe he’s shown so far that he would, but characters – and people – should never believe their growth is over. That way lies pain.
Logan: The problem is that I’ve come to expect this with PD now so, honestly, I didn’t miss them. I knew this episode would be Burzek focused. Just like I know next episode will be Upstead and Jay focused and I probably won’t get much Burzek. And while that is frustrating, I don’t think PD has any plans to change their writing approach.
As for Burzek, I loved Adam in this episode. I think he was the only one truly trying to help Kim. Granted, his help felt a bit smothering at times but he’s still learning and it’s only natural he’ll stumble a bit. While Trudy and Voight were pressuring Kim to one specific answer, Adam wanted to make sure Kim had options and knew she could do precisely what she wanted to do. If she wanted to come back to the unit, she could come back to the unit. If she needed a break and wanted to do something else, she could do that too.
The best part to me, though, was the discussion of it after Adam’s intentions had been twisted around by the Intelligence gossips and Kim thought Adam was the one pressuring her. The discussion they had about it got heated, but it didn’t explode. Kim apologized and Adam apologized and that was the end of it. They came to an understanding. That, my friends, is healthy communication. It’s not perfect and it may not have a full resolution right away but it validates and reaffirms. That is exactly what Adam and Kim did in this episode. It definitely showcases their growth and how they are truly on their way to being a family.
I cannot wait to see how they continue to grow this season.
In Chicago Med, it’s clear that Will and Stevie don’t understand each other … IN ANY WAY, but Will wants to decipher the enigma that she is. Do you think they are starting to establish a future romantic relationship? Is this a good start?
Raquel: I think so, it’s the beginning, the basis for them to be the ship for which all of us are supporting and rooting for in the future. However, I’m crossing my fingers that the show takes some time and this ship is a slow burn.
As we said last week, Chicago Med at this moment is like a show that has just started, it needs to cement its foundations, introduce us to the new characters, unite and intertwine them with the old ones and then, only then, begin to think about giving us ship content.
So yeah, I think this animosity and curiosity between Will and Stevie is the foundation on which they will cement a story that has the potential to be precious, if they have learned from their mistakes and know how to do it.
I also think it’s a good start. That is, if this is a future story, we are seeing the foundations now, long before and this is how things are done if you want to have a solid foundation. On the other hand, yeah, I love this enemies to lovers trope, it’s my spirit animal so I’m here for this. Just … not yet, please, Chicago Med, not yet.
Lizzie: I think they’re at least testing it out, but as we all agreed last week, there’s a lot of work to be done here. They shouldn’t try for a romance between anyone at this point. They need to spend a good season, at least, making us care about the characters again, about the dynamics. And they should really try to establish the team-as-family dynamics that this show has always failed at, in comparison with Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. Once they do that, then maybe, maybe, the romantic relationships will fall into place. Right now, please no.
Logan: I for sure think we are in the set up stage. To me this resembles Brettsey in season 7. The show is teasing it — dipping a toe in so to speak. Hopefully they continue to keep it limited to the toe. Let’s not jump head first into this ship just yet. I do think there is great potential there and I loved the way Stevie pushed back against Will this week and the interactions they had. I enjoyed watching them collide and snark. I also loved the resolution they came to and how Stevie empathically appealed to the mother.
While I loved the two of them in this episode, I’d like to see this friendship between them grow first. Tell me what they were like in med school. I get the impression Will tried to nose into Stevie’s business. Her quips about that seemed personal. Show me that and show me how they come to understand each other now. Once you’ve built that, then give me the romance. Maybe next season I could go for that, but not this season. Let them become friends first, please.
Agree? Desagree? Don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below!
One Chicago airs Wednesdays on NBC.
People and Stellaride? don’t we say anything about this EPI?
Yes, that’s why there’s a review. This roundtable is just about ships, as the title states. Hope that clears up your questions!