Chicago Fire 11×02 “Every Scar Tells a Story” is an episode about the things that make us who we are — the scars that tell our stories. Sometimes, those scars are branded on our skin, for all to see, like with Sam Carver. Other times we carry the scars inside, like with Sylvie Brett. The second kind might be easier to hide, but that doesn’t mean they’re not also painful.
There’s no quick or easy answer for healing either of these kinds of scars. But in this episode, we see Stella help Carver and Mouch help Sylvie, which is pretty much the Firehouse 51 way. And though in some ways it feels like this show is always telling the same story, it’s not a story we ever tire of seeing told.
So, let us talk about healing those scars, about family, and about what we want to see going forward as we review Chicago Fire 11×02 “Every Scar Tells a Story”:
THE PAIN OF LETTING GO
Sylvie Brett is in work, work, work mode — and we can’t blame her. Everyone handles grief in their own way, and distraction is one of the most common ways to deal. And yes, in a way, what she feels is grief. She’s lost something, someone, and though she made the decision, that doesn’t make it any less painful.
And when you’re feeling like Sylvie is feeling, there’s very little that can help other than …time, space, and people. Not even to talk, if that’s not what you want. That can come when you need it. But people to be there. To check up on you. To be by your side, even if that means standing there in silence.
Family can’t cure everything that ails us, but family can help make the road towards healing a little smoother. And Sylvie Brett has family to pick her back up.
WHAT’S CARVER’S DEAL? AND, WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
Chicago Fire 11×02 “Every Scar Tells a Story” spends some time fleshing out Sam Carver, and that’s both appreciated when it comes to a new character, and also …not something we’re truly interested in seeing the show spend much time on to start a season. He didn’t come in as a particularly sympathetic character, what with questioning Stella last episode and all, so to now have to care about his “scars” is asking too much of us. At least for now.
New characters can and do work, this show is particularly good at introducing new characters in a way that makes us care. But for that, the show needs to establish a connection with one of the existing ones — something it’s still missing, as much as this episode tried. Yes, he knows Stella. And yes, he saved Severide. But he kinda fumbled the Stella part, and the saving Severide part feels a little like the kind of thing anyone in Firehouse 51 would have done.
So why should I invest in Sam Carver? It’s all gotta do with Stella, it has to because she’s literally the only character sharing any kind of screen time with him. And yet, so far, most of the feelings we’ve gotten from their interaction were caused by Stella being Stella, going out of her way to prove who she is a s Lt. and what Firehouse 51 is all about. Carver hasn’t given me all that much in the sense of connection. And though he still might, in the future, I’d rather he did that in an episode that’s not all about him.
Things I think I think:
- Gallo is moving on? GOOD FOR HIM.
- That Javi is here, that he’s Joe’s kid, that the show hasn’t forgotten about him …it makes my heart full.
- I’ll take my Hawkami crumbs, but man …I’d love to see Hawkins as a series regular. Yes, I will say this every week.
- Not complaining about shirtless Severide, either.
- Stella agrees, as well.
- We all got a moment of imagining Severide with a kid, RIGHT?
- Does Gallo even know how to do casual?
- We WANT to see Ritter’s love life too.
- Okay, that Hawkami scene with “I wouldn’t change a second of it” and “The last few days have been some of the best of my life” was perfect. Let’s make sure it didn’t just exist to set up something for Gallo. Hawkami is real, and it’s not about Gallo at all.
- Severide talking up Cruz to his kid gave me FEELINGS.
- DON’T YOU DARE TAKE HAWKAMI FROM ME, CHICAGO FIRE.
- Trudy is here. Everything will be better.
- Ritter is me and enjoys Gallo’s misery too much.
- I guess we couldn’t get the entire Carver story in one episode. I guess.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 11×02 “Every Scar Tells a Story”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
