Chicago Fire 10×06 “Dead Zone” is, in some ways, about missing and moving on. Not forgetting, no, and never getting over, just …taking the next step forward. And then the next one. And like with any kind of grief, the first step is the hardest. The first day. The first moment of emptiness. That’s what this episode was for us, and in some ways, for the people in Firehouse 51. Except, you know, they can’t have a quiet day to reflect on what’s changed, and neither can we because this is TV.
Moving on from Casey might seem impossible – it has been 200 episodes. But the truth is, the next step, and the one after that is easier for Firehouse 51 than it’s ever been. Because Casey isn’t actually gone, not really. And not even in a “his spirit is right here with us,” kinda way. He’s just a phone call away. He’s still Brett’s boyfriend, he’s still Severide’s friend. He’s still Matt, he’s just locationally challenged at the moment.
This show has lost other people, and it’s been heartbreaking in a way this just …isn’t. As sad as it is, this episode cements that Casey’s goodbye is anything but permanent. He’ll be back in our screens, or at least, he’ll be back in the lives of the people he loves, the people he hasn’t truly left, just cannot be there for in the same way he was before.
What the Firehouse does without him, though, is a testament to what they’ve built, what Casey has been a part of for so long. And yes, the foundation seems to not just be strong enough to hold, but strong enough to help others, too.
The two storylines in this episode don’t hold the same weight in what makes this episode work, however. As much as I appreciate Severide in general, particularly considering the man he started out as, the arson part of this episode lacks the urgency, and of course, the teamwork that the other storyline has. Plus, taking Severide away from the Firehouse just as the show probably needs him to step up and be a leader seems like the wrong choice.
Or maybe I just miss Stella, who knows? No, I probably do miss Stella. But the arson case is still kinda boring, and Severide should have had a moment or two to miss his best friend, to talk to Brett or Boden about it. To just …be Kelly, not just Lt. Severide, the fearless investigator. We haven’t even seen much of him missing Stella, and all of those things are important. Fans care about them. They want to see them. Like, that’s literally what fanfiction is for.
The other storyline in Chicago Fire 10×06 “Dead Zone,” however, allows every one in this Firehouse to shine, and does a great job at showcasing the heart and the spirit that has made Chicago Fire work – with Casey, and that will hopefully continue without him. Because yes, we will miss Matt Casey. They will miss Matt Casey. But these people, his people, they will hold on for him.
And if this episode is to be believed, so will Brettsey. This isn’t a promise, of course. Things can change. But let’s be sure of one thing, right now the show is full on betting on Brettsey. It’s not being unequivocal, and it’s not pivoting away to some other possibility. Sylvie Brett is in a committed relationship with a man she loves, a man who loves her. And yes, he cannot be with her right now. And yes, that will be hard. There will be challenges. But that’s a good thing if you’re a fan of the couple.
You know what the easiest way to end Brettsey right now would be? Stop talking about it. Stop bringing up Casey. Out of mind, out of sight the thing until it feels okay for Sylvie to move on, for Matt to stay away. Until fans start hoping that’s what happens. Chicago Fire is definitely not choosing that way. They’re not choosing the path of least resistance. Instead, they’re choosing to move forward with what might be the harder path.
They’re choosing to stick it out. And as much as it sucks, right now, we all have to, once again, trust that what they built is strong enough to hold. They certainly seem to believe it is.
Things I think I think:
- Best sign for Brettsey is that the show isn’t just pretending things are normal. They’re not trying to jedi mind trick us into forgetting the relationship was a thing or trying to get us to forget how much they – and so many people – invested in it. That means they’re still committed to telling that story, in whatever way they can.
- I might be laughing at Mouch and the phone forever. But Mouch had the last laugh in the end, so I guess I shouldn’t.
- “Or her.” Yes, OR HER. Women can be arsonists too!
- What a moment to lose your phone, Brett.
- So, the Father knows? Now, that’s a twist.
- Define sort of, Severide. SORT OF CATHOLIC?
- Herrmann taking charge is my aesthetic. Herrmann and Mouch? Perfection.
- That I’m surprised at how ingenious the plan with the coins is probably ages me, right?
- Oh, the pictures. The voicemails. I’d cry. But also, backup your phone. Always have backups.
- “You’ll take more pictures when you go visit. And he will leave more voicemails.” Violet is the best friend.
- Has it been two episodes without Stella or 8643?
- THE VOICEMAIL.
- “I love you.”
- CASUAL.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 10×06 “Dead Zone”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
Existe um novo corpo de Bombeiros, novas histórias a serem contadas, Brett esta seguindo em frente em um relacionamento de verdade e isso é bom, Mouch é realmente hilário kkk. Severide merece umas palmadas, demonstra saudades de Casey mas não de Stella, a forma com a qual ele falou da Stella não me agradou, Seager dando o bote mais uma vez e ele sendo receptivo. Enfim o episódio não foi tão ruim, mas sinto muita falta da Stella. Ela precisa voltar, Severide precisa sair da zona de conforto e ser líder no 51, Brett precisa trabalhar com mais atenção e ter a certeza que não esta sozinha, 51 tem uma rede de apoio.
I didn’t like the arson plot at first, but once the guy set the priest ON FIRE, I was in. But I swear if Severide doesn’t tell Seager he and Stella are engaged next episode my head is going to explode. Oh, and I MISS STELLA KIDD!!
I actually didn’t watch it cause the day Caseybleft was the day I was done! We as fans had waited so long for brett and casey and when they finally do he leaves, they knew he was leaving so they at least should have made it too where they just stayed a friends , in the long run she isn’t gonna be alone on screen for years so eventually what is gonna happen is him or her calling and saying we just can’t do this anymore like it always happens I am just very sad about the way this whole thing went down, it’s a disservice to the character we love and I was ahuge casey and brett fan and now what we only have 5 episodes they are together no that’s just it for me and it’s boring with out casey who knows mabe they can recast like alot of day time shows do lol. It would be ki da good if they did then at least there would be hope for casey and brett at this point we all know how this is gonna end Break up soon and brett with another sad ending , mabe they should have just kept her and granger together at least then she wouldn’t be alone!
Herrmann and Mouch ROCKED IT! NEVER underestimate the Swag-of-Old-School-Cool!! Herrmann’s ready to take charge of Engine and he’s next for the now vacant Lieutenant’s quarters, finally!