Chicago Fire 12×02 Review: “Call Me McHolland”

Chicago Fire 12×02 “Call Me McHolland” is once again about change, but not just that, it’s about adjusting to change. Because the truth is that yes, change is an inevitability, but that doesn’t mean we know how to handle it — or that we have any clue how to respond when forced to confront the reality of it.

This applies not just to Stella having Kelly back, but to Herrmann adjusting to his injury and Cruz coming to terms with his new role (aka his old role) now that Severide is back in charge of Squad. And that’s without even going into Mouch — or McHolland, and who he is now that he’s back at Firehouse 51.

So let us talk about the big changes, the romance, and the most chaotic wedding in the history of weddings as we discuss Chicago Fire 12×02 “Call Me McHolland”:

NO MORE FREELANCING

Things were always going to be different for Cruz when Severide returned, because other than Stella, Severide’s departure affected Cruz the most. Stella lost a husband, but Cruz both lost a boss and had to take his place, had to step up in a way he probably hadn’t even considered before. The fact that in doing so he found a leader in himself perhaps he hadn’t even considered was there is secondary. The point is, it was hard for him. Truly hard.

Now Severide is back, and Cruz feels, deservedly so, that he should at least get recognition for the things he did while Severide was gone. And he also feels like he, perhaps, has reached a point where he needs to step away and be the leader that he proved he can be. For himself. For his kid. Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen, but it’s hard to argue against the fact that Joe Cruz has earned it. And hey, even if it takes Stella Kidd being the angel on Kelly Severide’s shoulder, it’s good that Kelly ended up recognizing that.

There has been a lot of change at Firehouse 51, perhaps too much. Can the show afford to also lose Joe Cruz at this point? The smart bet is on no. But storytelling-wise, it does make sense for Cruz to take that exam and go on to lead his team. There is that.

THE ROMANCES OF FIREHOUSE 51

Chicago Fire has always balanced romances better than any other One Chicago show, and Chicago Fire 12×02 “Call Me McHolland” sort of establishes how the balance will continue in Season 12. There’s Stellaride, the established couple. There are some kinks to be ironed out there, but Stellaride remains solid and will probably not have any big hiccups — which, thank God for that. Those two have gone through way too many hiccups at this point. We’re tired of hiccups. Give us communication and none of those storylines where they don’t talk to each other. The season is too short for that.

Then there’s Brettsey, who have planned (that feels like too nice a word at this point) the most chaotic wedding in the history of weddings. A month and a half out and the invitations haven’t gone out? There is no venue? The Maid of Honor didn’t know she was the Maid of Honor? Has Casey even asked Severide to be his Best Man? What is this madness? Might as well just go to the Courthouse at this point! But Sylvie and Matt are getting their happily ever after, and they will walk out of Chicago Fire together.

And then there’s the couple I’ve been trying to ignore and at this point find myself unable to, Violet and Carver. The show has been setting them up since last year, and they are likely to continue to do that until they finally take the leap at some point this year. But this is also likely to be the couple that makes us suffer, because if Stellaride is solid and Brettsey is leaving, well …someone else has to get the drama. And Carver still has a lot of unexplored backstory and Violet has a lot of unexplored trauma, so they win. Also, process of elimination and all that.

Change indeed. But overall, a better foundation than expected going into Season 12. And even Carver and Violet might be able to convince us if done right. That’s still an if, but hey, it’s a possibility we almost wouldn’t have foreseen going into Season 12. We’ll take happy Stellaride, a Brettsey happy ending, and a possibility.

Things I think I think:

• I cannot, for the life of me, understand why Sylvie and Matt left wedding planning til the last minute. No wonder Stella and Violet are exchanging those looks.
• Like, I had a “simple, intimate and perfect” wedding like Sylvie says she wants and it did not take one month to plan! And hey, Matt, you’re also getting married, your input would be good and all.
• But “I finally get to marry Matt Casey” was very cute.
• Me, every time: How do people get into these situations? How?
• Wait, did Mouch relinquish his spot? Is nothing sacred?
• I’m going to ignore the flirting going on between Violet and Carver because I still can.
• (Not because it’s horrible, it might work and all, I just need some processing time still.)
• Like, I’ll be a Hawkami shipper until I die, but I admit this might, perhaps, be working for me.
• Herrmann, of all people, should be seeing a doctor.
• I get Cruz wanted to take the Lt. exam, but he’s being kind of dramatic about it.
• Me, I don’t need Stella and Kelly to agree on things, I just like it when they talk.
• “We all know he’s not great at saying words.” HA
• THE MAID OF HONOR? NOW? AND SHE HADN’T ASKED?
• Absurd doesn’t even cover it.
• We’re not gonna go into how it would have made a little more sense for it to be Stella because I don’t mind that it’s Violet.
• Stella is the angel on Severide’s shoulder.
• LOOK, Kylie, when are you gonna come home?
• Decent first impression for Gibson.
• Okay, so we’re keeping Mouch. GOOD.
• “I’m not going to stand in your way if you need to move on.”
• Always on the edge with you, Chicago Fire. Always on the edge with you.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 12×02 “Call Me McHolland”? Share with us in the comments below!

Chicago Fire airs Wednesday at 8/9c on NBC.