‘Chicago Fire’ 10×07 Review: “Whom Shall I Fear?”

If anything, the fear in Chicago Fire 10×07 “Whom Shall I Fear?” isn’t about some arsonist – or a partner that’s getting a little too flirty – the fear is about the idea of change. Everyone on Firehouse 51, but particularly Sylvie and Gallo, has had a hard time adjusting to life without Matt Casey. We, the viewers, have had a hard time adjusting. Despite Sylvie putting on a brave face, the truth is …change is scary.

But change is also a part of life. And though we wish we could avoid it, the only way to make it through a moment like the one Sylvie and Gallo are going through is to face it head on. To remember the lessons. And to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

For Gallo, in particular, this means a great many things. We’ve talked often about how this Firehouse has become a family, and Gallo has always looked at Matt as a male authority figure he could respect. When you don’t necessarily have many of those, that means something – no, that means everything. And that’s why he lashed out like a teenager at the first person trying to take Matt’s place. Even if, deep down, no one can take Matt’s place. Not in Firehouse 51, and not in the hearts of the people who love him.

It wasn’t fair – Gallo was lashing out way before he had anything resembling a reason, but if we could control our feelings and/or our reactions, we wouldn’t be human. And though a part of me was sort of wondering why no one was taking Gallo aside and reminding him of the chain of command, I’m kinda glad it was Gallo himself – with some help from a very important conversation with Sylvie – that figured out what he was doing wrong. Now, if he could also get his head out of his ass regarding Violet, all would be good.

But that’s another subject, as first we’d probably need her to get her head out of her ass, which, despite the delightful moment of Ritter and Sylvie basically ganging up on her, feels far, far away.

As for the new Lt, other than the fact that boy, I really would like Brett Dalton to grow more of a beard, there’s not much there yet. The ending of the episode seemed to imply that there might be an issue, but somehow, I’m not sure that’s true. Especially not considering the way Pelham jumped to help Boden and the kid at the church. It feels like the easiest storyline, and Chicago Fire is good at not always doing the most obvious thing. Perhaps the thing about Pelham isn’t that he’s a bad guy, perhaps the thing is he hasn’t had a chance to find his family yet. Or maybe, he just …doesn’t understand what family is, not really.

Whether he sticks around or not (not in Stella’s spot, let’s make that clear, Casey’s spot is Stella’s, and no one else’s), if there’s one thing Firehouse 51 can teach him is the true meaning of family.

Then there’s Severide, who thankfully is done with this boring – yes, boring, boring, booooring – arson storyline, and with Seager, a character I have no real reason to dislike, and who I just don’t like anyway. Was she flirting with Severide? It’s easy to interpret the show as she was, there was a lot of smiling and all those talks about drinks. But it’s also easy to see how, perhaps, my Stella-loving heart is just reading into it. Either way, the worst part of this storyline that brought back Wendy is just that … I cared not one iota for it. I was happy it got me a Kevin Atwater cameo, and that’s about it.

Just bring Stella Kidd back, please. Please.

Which brings me to Sylvie Brett, the woman on the receiving end of love letters and a fairly complicated long-distance relationship, at least at first. As someone who’s experienced a long-distance relationship, one that worked out pretty well, I will say, the beginning is always rough. There’s a lot of figuring out the balance. A lot of finding ways to “spend time together” and what the best way to do that is.

Casey sending love letters – and come on, no grown man sends a woman he’s dating an ACTUAL letter and gets to call it anything but a love letter, is a really good sign. Things are just, not working out right now. Not clicking. Storytelling wise, that’s not at all concerning, if you ask me. Again, the worst thing they could do for Brettsey would be to treat it as something out of sight, out of mind. The obstacles, the way this has helped shine more of a light on Sylvie, the great moment she got with Gallo as they commiserated about missing Matt? All great things.

For her character, and for the possibilities the show is setting up.

However, after a few episodes of focusing on Sylvie’s reaction to Matt leaving, I would love it if the show could find a balance and now focus on …just Sylvie. Being a badass. Doing her thing. I understand why the focus, and as I said before, I appreciate what it means, but we’ve barely had Severide mention Stella is gone, and yes, I know, Stella will presumably be back soon, but this is just another subtle way that, sometimes, similar storylines are treated differently when it comes to male/female characters.

Sylvie Brett is an amazing character outside of her relationship with Matt Casey, and if right now the show cannot focus on the relationship in the way it might want to, then focus on Sylvie. Focus on the paramedicine program. Focus on her friendships. Give her a fun case, like Severide. We want to see that. We really, really do.

Though, fine, I won’t complain if she gets to commiserate with one more person about missing Matt: Kelly Severide. That’s not just necessary, it’s been a long time coming.

Oh, and did I mention I need Stella Kidd back? Because I really, really do.

Things I think I think:

• LOVE LETTER. Period.
• The counting down the hours was so cute.
• Also, did Casey get a new place with the boys? This is information I need. Because, if not, where was Sylvie gonna stay?
• Casey sending Gallo that handwritten recipe is such a dad move.
• When you get used to working with someone you can anticipate each other’s moves, you have a shorthand. That doesn’t mean extra caution is bad in a job like this one, though.
• Why are we pretending you’re not waiting for Stella, Chief? No one believes you.
• “Captain Casey meant a lot to this house” indeed.
• “He was lucky too.”
• I teared up a bit.
• Thank the Lord for the confirmation Stella and Sylvie have been TALKING, because boy, Sylvie really needed a friend.
• Violet, girl …at this point not even you can believe the lies you tell yourself, right?
• Sylvie and Ritter had an entire convo without speaking before they decided to just go into it with Violet, though.
• They probably expected her reaction.
• One of the reasons Sylvie Brett hates change is because it never works out for her. She always ends up alone. Except she isn’t. She’s got a family.
• “Things might be different, but we’re still us.”
• A lot of emphasis on that, just saying.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 10×07 “Whom Shall I Fear?”? Share with us in the comments below!

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays on NBC.