‘Chicago Fire’ 11×14 Review: “Run Like Hell”

Chicago Fire 11×14 “Run Like Hell” is a pretty slow episode that showcases the stable couples of Firehouse 51 — Herrmann and Cindy, Trudy and Mouch, and of course, Stellaride — all while setting the stage for the return of Vallo and the temporary departure of Kelly Severide. The episode also attempts, with mixed results, to make us care about Carver, and the back and forth with his storyline might even be interesting if it wasn’t basically the same storyline we got last year with Pelham.

We didn’t care then, we don’t care now. And though Carver ends this episode expressing a desire to be part of the Firehouse 51 family, it’s going to take a lot for us to get there. Like, a lot a lot. Especially if the show uses Sveride’s absence to push some sort of romantic agenda between him and Stella.

But that future possibility barely compares to the very real and present Vallo setup. And if we’re being honest, we knew this was coming. This is where the show was going since they killed Evan Hawkins. This is why they killed Evan Hawkins. But as we said then, it doesn’t work, we don’t like it and we especially don’t want it in this way.

If it was inevitable, there were better ways to do it. But if we’re being honest, it was never inevitable. We’re here because as good as Chicago Fire has always been at adapting on the go in some respects, in others, they have no idea what to do when things don’t go according to plan — for better or worse. Monica Raymund left, and they somehow managed to write the worst exit for Gabby possible. Well, the worst until they had to write out Matt Casey, and they left yet another couple hanging. Hey, in this regard, the way they’re giving Severide some time off is basically a gift for the fans. And sister show Chicago P.D. is no better.

The fact is, fans invested in Hawkami. Fans cared about Hawkami. And it’s going to take more than Gallo being a decent friend and smiling his puppy dog smile at us to forgive what the show took away from fans to get us here. Just as it’s going to take a lot more than Stella’s goodwill to care about Carver. Stories have to lead somewhere, yes, but when shows are incapable of course correcting on the go we end up with a disconnect between what makes sense and what the show wants us to think and feel.

Carver can work. Maybe even Vallo can. But this is not the way.

Most importantly, it isn’t the time. Sure, the Violet and Gallo thing was just a tease, they’re not about to jump into a relationship, but if this is happening now can we trust the show won’t just bring them together at the end of the season? Grief? What’s that? Ah, yes, just a thing that matters when the storytelling requires it, and never again.

And as for Carver, well …he needs some consistent writing, and for any hint of romance between him and Stella to just disappear. Even if Severide is gone, we’re not here for another love interest for Stella. Put us down in the hell no category. We’re not going to change our minds on that. And until we can be certain that’s not where the storyline is going, how can we even truly consider him part of this family?

Things I think I think:

• You know how much I care about Carver right now? -3.
• HOW AM I GOING TO SURVIVE WITHOUT THESE STELLARIDE MOMENTS?
• Does this show know what it’s doing with Sylvie’s love life?
• “Have a heart attack.” Mouch, omg.
• I’m always happy to see Trudy.
• Sure, sure, Ritter just casually looked at that picture.
• Again, I just …I haven’t yet lost Stellaride and I already need them back.
• Love me some Stella ultimatums.
• The Trudy-Stella comparison got to me.
• Mouch’s lock screen? I’M OKAY.
• Look, more Trudy and Mouch, I say.
• Herrmann getting the gossip for Cindy is A+. It’s so good to see them together and to see this side of Herrmann.
• Look, whatever headway Carver had made with me is lost. I don’t care.
• If OFI is how they give Severide some time off …I don’t hate it. There are worse ways.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 11×14 “Run Like Hell”? Share with us in the comments below!

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC