Chicago Fire 11×03 “Completely Shattered” is a quiet, calm episode until it’s not, until it shatters us, just like the title says. But the problem with Chicago Fire 11×03 “Completely Shattered” isn’t even the way it throws away the promise of a great character and a fan-favorite ship; the problem is that the show does all that while proving that it remains way too married to an idea that hasn’t worked in quite a while.
There isn’t more to talk about, not this time. The fun parts of the episode, the camaraderie, the way the personalities really, really work … even the cute Stellaride moments we get, none of that matters right now. Because the problem is, right now, we cannot trust Chicago Fire. We never have been able to, really. It’s just that the good parts of the show always manage to lull us into a false sense of security.
In a way, this is the curse of long-running procedurals. There’s an idea that the show is bigger than the characters, and that fans will continue watching no matter who they remove from the equation. It’s not true, though. Fans aren’t married to the idea of Chicago Fire. Fans don’t watch because of the name, much less because of the actual calls. They watch because of the people. And in his short time on the show, Evan Hawkins had, surprisingly so, become one of those people fans watch for.
Hawkami had become one of those ships.
Much of the credit for that goes to Jimmy Nicholas, who came into a role that was supposed to be, at first, an antagonist of sorts to Brett, and then a fun distraction for Violet while the show got her back together with Gallo. Except, Jimmy Nicholas and Evan Hawkins ruined the best-laid plans of the Chicago Fire showrunners, and then continued to do so, over and over again — with assistance from Hanako Greensmith and the chemistry she and Nicholas share.
No one was mad, though, of course not. TV fans are quick to recognize that sometimes lucky accidents make for the best ships. And so they were in pretty quickly. Not casually, either. When fans love a ship, they truly love a ship. Which makes this moment extra devastating. Because of the possibilities, yes. The lost promise. The scorching chemistry that we will be deprived of. But also because after Chicago Fire 11×03 “Completely Shattered” we all recognize that this is all leading to a very obvious place, a return to Violet and Gallo as a couple.
Except, how can we be expected to just jump back on that? We remember who Gallo was most of last season. A few episodes of Alberto Rosende smiling at us cannot change that. Even a season of that will probably not do the trick.
It’s a little like the last season of How I Met Your Mother — or at least the finale, which is considered one of the worst of all time. The reason for that is simple. People don’t hate it because the show didn’t set up Ted and Robin. They did. Very early on. And then, the show kept going. The story evolved. Characters changed in a way that made it so the ending the creators had originally planned didn’t fit them anymore. And then, the creators went for that ending anyway. Even if it didn’t make sense. Because it was what they had originally planned.
Pot, meet the Chicago Fire kettle.
Violet and Gallo didn’t make sense anymore. And killing Evan Hawkins, a fan-favorite character, to make way for a ship that very few people were even invested in anymore isn’t just shortsighted, it’s heartbreaking.
There are many things I still love about Chicago Fire. The family dynamics really work. Stella Kidd exists. Stellaride is a ship I adore. But today, this show hurts more than it brings joy. Because today, this show got it wrong. Chicago Fire 11×03 “Completely Shattered” got it wrong. And today, it’s hard to believe that they will truly get it right with the other things we care about. We’ve already lost too much, in ways that make very little sense.
Things I think I think:
- Yes, Severide, ALWAYS SUPPORT YOUR WIFE.
- Boden, do you not trust Stella? I’m side-eyeing you a little here.
- NOT THE BABY GOATS.
- Violet’s FACE when she sees her boyfriend.
- I’ll take an entire hour of small stakes drama. Please, give it to me.
- “He is a ridiculously good guy.” He was — he truly, truly was. And I hate that I knew this was foreshadowing.
- Severide delegating the washer/dryer thing? HILARIOUS.
- But seriously, what did Boden expect when he said yes to Stella? Of course, pure chaos would follow.
- Adulthood is noticing the finishings in TV houses.
- Someone please explain to Severide that he is not a cop. Like, stop running right at danger, dude. Remember you promised your wife?
- We deserved to keep Jimmy Nicholas.
- Derek Haas, are you a sadist?
- I’m going to be very honest here: I don’t think it’s possible this show will ever get me to care about Violet and Gallo again. Like, I don’t see it. Not after Hawkins. Not after creating a ship that was so good, you had to kill half of it off for Violet and Gallo to even be a possibility again.
- But man, kudos to you Mr. Nicholas. For making this character more than any of us had any right to expect. We thank you for every minute.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 11×03 “Completely Shattered”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
I agree with EVERYTHING you said above!!! Little more to say than ~ how could they??? Such a huge disappointment, especially since so many characters we viewers on the show love are gone!
I have very similar thoughts about this episode. The only thing you missed was just how awesome the acting was in that final scene. Violet was so believeable. I found myself glued to everytbing the crew was doing. I cried. I couldn’t even be mad because the acting made it worth it.
I agree with everything you said. Hawkins was great and should’ve had a permanent spot. Gallo would have to grow up drastically for any love interest, but he definitely won’t cut it now with Violet.
I knew as soon as Evan drove up to that fire. I prayed I was wrong, but alas I saw it coming. My heart hurt when I saw Evan’s face with his lifeless eyes and the cheif holding a sobbing Violet. I’m sure they are opening up and paving the way for gallo and violet.
I didn’t see that coming. He was a great addition to the cast. Can’t stand KIDD, SHE NEEDS TO GO
I agree with the comments expressed and not sure that I will continue to watch the show
Truly disappointed you killed off Hawkins love him and Violet together besides Gallo asks like kid. He is definitely no Hawkins
I totally agree with what you said, except I never liked Violet and Gallo together . Looking for ratings without doing the writing work? Not keeping abreast of audience likes and dislikes? Really, no excuse
I totally agree. Did not see that coming. I was literally bawling at the end of the episode. Watched it three times already. As much as I like Violet and Gallo, they had their chance. That relationship had run it’s course. Don’t think I can embrace it. But I’m absolutely committed to the franchise.
Gallo is an emotional midget… you killed off the wrong guy!! Why? Why did you do this? Now I have to evaluate whether I want to finish the season with you! Very BADLY PLAYED!! I am heartbroken! His eyes, her screams.. you broke my heart! Can stop crying!
They could still bring Hawkins back and just say that he was in shock after the fall and that he was under the other person who took the brunt of the fall of the awning…. I would say that the fact that his eyes were open when they loaded him onto the stretcher leaves the door open for him to still be alive and after a long recovery be back to the show. I remember how I felt when they killed off Otis….that was almost a deal-breaker for me tuning in every week and for a lot of fans this might be the one that just puts them over the edge with watching every week…expect ratings to drop if Elkins doesn’t get to come back…..
I really liked Hawkins. Can’t believe he is gone. And yes, Gallo needs to grow up!
Agree. With. Everything. I’ve been watching this show since Day 1. I don’t remember feeling any character loss the way this one feels.
I totally agree with everything expressed. I am getting really tired of writers playing with the fans’ emotions. Why is therm point to “shock value”? My first thought was that Violet will leave the show too! She won’t be emotionally ready to work as an EMT for a long time. Maybe never. I watch tv shows for entertainment. I don’t want or need to be heartbroken over a tv story!
Totally agree, I’m totally heartbroken and I can’t imagine Violet ever being with Gallo after being with a guy like Hawkins. I keep thinking maybe they’ll start the next episode with them using a defibrillator on Hawkins and he’s still alive! Even if they left him with a handicap it’s better than taking him away from Violet and us! So very disappointed in this.
I absolutely agree with everything you said. I have never been a fan of Violet and Gallo and I never will be. I am so heartbroken that Evan Hawkins is no more. Can this please just be a bad dream that Violet had and once she wakes up everything will be fine and dandy in Chicago Fireland again? Of all the people who have left Chicago Fire, this one hurts the most
Pickwick is in Park Ridge. Guess Park Ridge is now Chicago
Oh wow. Emotionally, heartfelt episode. I felt every moment of the whole episode. Knowing that sometime during this show all the way to the end of this episode someone would die. It took my emotions on this huge trip Who would it be
and then it happened. It took my breath away I cried. I felt everything in my heart. What great acting. We don’t make choices for the shows we are just along for the ride and what a great ride it always is. And next episode the emotions will not end we know that. A fire can be the worst way anyone could leave this world and the ppl that cared and loved them in the aftermath is what journey our hearts and emotions will again go on and on. It’s not over yet.
Definitely agree. It was heartbreaking to see them kill of Hawkins. I loved watching Violet and Hawkins together such a great storyline cut short to soon. They were on fire together. Not with Gallo
No entendí la salida de Hawkins, era unabpareja nueva, brillante, madura. El era encantador ,protector. Ella y Gallo son como adolecentes. Ella y Hawkins sensualidad y yinyan.