‘Chicago Fire’ 10×16 Review: “Hot and Fast”

Chicago Fire 10×16 “Hot and Fast” presumably gets its title from that fire, which burned hot and fast. But also burning hot and fast is Hawkami, and we’re absolutely in for the ride. Not so much for Seager, who has become a much more constant presence on this show, but who still doesn’t really have a clear reason to be around — though at least it looks like the making eyes at Severide part is over and done with.

This episode is, truly, a contrast of two guest stars. Jimmy Nicholas, and Andy Allo. And not a contrast in the talent, but a contrast in storylines. Andy Allo is a tremendously talented actress, who has consistently gotten the procedural type of storylines that give us very little about who Wendy Seager is. Well, that and she got to stand around smiling at Severide in ways that are borderline uncomfortable. And then, there was that moment with Stella near the end of this episode, a possible light at the end of the tunnel.

Jimmy Nicholas, on the other hand, is getting the best storyline possible — not just the romance for Violet, but the showcase of who Evan Hawkins is, as a person. The fact that we got to meet him through Sylvie first, got to see him help her get her program off the ground, and have gotten to see him as a paramedic, as a Chief and also as a man in a relationship with Violet, means that he is a much more interesting character than Wendy Seager has ever been.

But this is a TV show, and things aren’t static. They don’t have to be. We felt more for Wendy Seager in two minutes with Stella Kidd than we did in numerous episodes with Kelly Severide. And though we are already convinced we want to keep Nicholas, this episode shows us that we could, indeed, be convinced about Allo …if they give her another storyline. So, let us talk about the Hawkami of it all, and about the possibilities with Stella and Seager as we review Chicago Fire 10×16 “Hot and Fast”:

IT’S HAWKAMI FOR US

Drama be coming our way with Hawkami, and we don’t love it, but also, we don’t hate it? I mean, of course I wanted to live in the honeymoon period, but I feel like we had two options with Hawkami. Either it was always going to be a roadblock for Violet and Gallo, or it was going to become its own relationship, with its own issues, its own drama. For a moment in this episode, the show seems like it’s leaning towards the first of those options. And then …and then, the drama doesn’t come from Gallo.

That’s a good thing. I don’t even mind Violet’s face at Evan’s mention of Gallo, because that is indeed recent, and she can be a tad conflicted about it. She still chose. And she didn’t look like she regretted her choice after that. Just as the drama is. Sure, it might be a temporary roadblock, and no, it’s not going to be fun. But it probably means Hawkins is not leaving tomorrow, and I’ll take that win.

Because if this episode proved something, it’s that this is the couple we are invested in. Sorry not sorry, Gallo. Your lashing out at Hawkins isn’t going to change reality. You lost your chance. You said no. And we don’t even feel bad that that door closed, and the window opened and bam, Chief Hawkins walked in. In fact, we just like windows better than doors, now. We’ve put a padlock on the door. Never opening it again.

Okay, I’ve taken that metaphor too far, but the point is …bring on the angst. And this is coming from someone who hates angst. As long as the angst is about Hawkami and about furthering their relationship, and not a possible future with Gallo, then I promise I won’t complain. Well, I won’t if you make Jimmy Nicholas a regular.

KIDD VS. SEAGER?

The problem with the way the show has handled Wendy Seager for about 99.7% of the time she’s been around is that, whether they mean to or not, it ends up coming off as if there’s some sort of competition between her and Stella Kidd. And though Kelly Severide is a person, who has made his own decisions, the show has continued to pit the two women against each other in a way that has long been uncomfortable. But then, in Chicago Fire 10×16 “Hot and Fast,” the narrative changed.

Not a lot, but just enough to make us pause and wonder if, perhaps, Andy Allo is actually someone who could have a place in this show. She was more charming in those few seconds with Stella than she has been in all her time with Severide, and the reason for that is that it’s the first time we’re seeing Wendy Seager and not just the woman interested in Severide. It’s the first time the storyline is about Wendy herself.

We’re always here for more female characters, and we’re always here for female characters interacting in ways that have nothing to do with the men in their lives. Because believe it or not, women have interactions every day — good, bad and in between — that have nothing to do with men. We like each other, and we hate each other. And like Stella and Seager, we even “love” each other sometimes, for our very own reasons.

More of that? Yes. More of what we were getting before? No, please. Now that we know how it can be, let us never go back.

Things I think I think:

• I’ve missed some Cruz time.
• Also, I seriously do not believe Chief Hawkins can stop with the hotness. It is impossible.
• THE CHEMISTRY.
• So much Spanish this episode!! So good to hear it.
• Gallo cannot stand still after a good moment, he’s gotta follow it up with a bad one.
• Yeah, Violet’s boyfriend is HOT.
• Kelly Severide, kids look good on you.
• IF YOU TWO COULD STOP KISSING, MAYBE YOU COULD KEEP A SECRET.
• Stella + Seager really, really worked. Imagine that.
• I knew Cruz was going to make the choice he did, and I still got super emotional about it.
• And the fact that he called Casey, too. PERFECTION.
• Plus, that was a nice Brettsey mention in there, show. Kuddos.
• Dude, those guys who caught Hawkami are the biggest gossips… that was FAST.
• The lullaby killed me.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 10×16 “Hot and Fast”? Share with us in the comments below!

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays on NBC.