Chicago Fire 10×19 “Finish What You Started” is a quintessential Chicago Fire episode. It’s nerve-wracking, it’s exciting, there are one or five moments that make you feel anxious, and at least two or three that make you a little emotional. Plus, we get some good moments from some of our favorite characters. And yes, on top of that, they save some people, too.
Watching Chicago Fire after Chicago Med is always an exercise in why does this work when that doesn’t. The answer isn’t simple, and it’s not just about one thing. If it were, then Chicago Med would have figured it out already. Instead, it’s a combination of great casting, characters that work, relationships that work and an ensemble that just …clicks together. And that, well, that isn’t easy to replicate.
This isn’t an easy job
Three more episodes. Only three. And one of them should (will) probably have a Stellaride wedding. Even though they haven’t really talked abut it. Even though they haven’t made any real plans. — they barely just picked a place in Chicago Fire 10×19 “Finish What You Started.” Even though the likely best man and maid of honor are in Portland. Why? I mean, why other than because Kelly and Stella love each other, and belong together, and make each other better and all the things we already know?
Because life is short. Stella sees it in this episode. She feels it. And they’ve had close calls before; this isn’t the first time they have been confronted with the dangers of being first responders. It won’t be the last time. And neither Kelly nor Stella want another job. The job is who they are, more than what they do. So, what do you do in those circumstances?
You live and you love and you laugh, and you hold nothing back. Because you know, more than most people, how fragile it all is. How quickly it can be taken away.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the wedding we get, the wedding these two want, is just …a small ceremony in a place that means something, a decision to make official the thing they’ve already proven to themselves and everyone: They belong together. And they’re gonna take every moment life gives them and live it fully, together.
Should we be worried about Emma?
The answer to this feels pretty obvious, and honestly …I don’t hate it. I’m probably going to hate what she ends up doing, because clearly she’s up to no good, but I didn’t really want them to bring in someone else I was supposed to like. Particularly considering how well they’ve already done in that regard lately — even with characters like Pelham, that took a while. I’m happy with someone to dislike.
But I’d seriously be surprised if this was just about getting Hawkami to where they were going to get without her. I’m now worried about Mason, about Gallo and about this entire Firehouse going into the finale.
Which I guess is the point, isn’t it?
Why did you make me fall in love with you?
I was expecting this; I just thought they’d make me wait till the season finale. And the reason I was expecting this is because …it was obvious. That this was coming, that they both felt this way, and on a larger scale, that this is the ship that the show, which has always been really good at adjusting on the fly, has realized how it hard it is to capture this thing they stumbled upon with Violet and Hawkins, and they’re not going to let it go.
Chicago Fire wishes it had this. So many other shows do. And so many others have made it where they are because they found a ship like Hawkami. Because, yes, ships can carry shows.
Hawkami doesn’t have to. Stellaride is around and thriving, and the family vibes work really well on Chicago Fire. And that just means they can concentrate on being. On growing. On exploring that chemistry that can be both hot hot hot and tender and sweet. They are great together now, yes, but there are so many hurdles in their path. Being together is anything but easy. Which is good, when we’re talking TV. It’s interesting.
There’s a lot of story to tell here. A lot of potential. Together, and apart. And yes, the obstacles are big, but when there’s love, well …as Stella Kidd once told Violet (and who better to give advice than Stella in this regard), who cares about anything else?
Things I think I think:
- Overprotective Boden is kinda cute.
- Violet and Gallo as friends I can accept. Especially as, suddenly …I don’t even feel the romantic chemistry exists anymore.
- But can forgive you if you are a good friend to her, Gallo. I can.
- Emma can learn a thing or five from Violet.
- This show always makes me WORRY.
- Soft worried Stella GOT ME.
- Did Boden really …rat out Kylie to Stella? Fire Dad indeed.
- But Stella’s response was a thing of BEAUTY.
- What. Is. Up. With. Emma?
- Stella and Boden having silent conversations is BIG family energy.
- Ritter gets a SCENE to shine. FINALLY. More, please.
- Kelly Severide is such a softie. He needs to stop. NEVER STOP.
- Mom Stella and Grandpa Boden energies.
- The back to back Hawkami/Stellaride scenes were TOO MUCH.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 10×19 “Finish What You Started”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
I agree with a lot of what you said in your post. I loved Stella and Boden acting like Kylie’s parents. I laughed a few times at those scenes.
The members of Firehouse 51 talking about Herman and how much he means to them, makes me nervous for him in the final few episodes. That he could be placed in a dangerous situation.
As far as Emma goes, I think that depends on Sylvie. Kara Kilmer’s contract is up at the end of this season. I think it’s 50-50 that she returns for season 11. They could well have her move to Portland and give Brettsy a happy ending. If Sylvie stays at Firehouse 51, then this storyline with Emma could become really dark. Emma is trying to steal Violet’s job. So far, she has tried subtle ways of doing so. If that does not work, Emma could become really nasty and maybe violent. If Sylvie leaves, then Emma could hang around into next season and she could continue to try and undermine Violet. There is nothing good about Emma and the sooner she’s gone, the happier I’ll be.