Chicago Fire 12×07 “Red Flag” is an excellent episode of TV, one that moves the show forward while allowing Chicago Fire a chance to test out new dynamics they have never had to rely on. One Chicago is very familiar with having to rebuild, and this show isn’t doing it from scratch — so adjusting to the absence of Sylvie (and the finally permanent absence of Matt) isn’t as hard for this show as it would be for others, but if this episode is to be believed, the future is bright for Chicago Fire.
On the one hand, Stella and Violet are very quickly established as a fearsome twosome, and on the other hand, even if Stellaride get very little on the way of a romantic storyline this episode, there’s a sense of unity to the two of them that permeates the show. Add to that what has always been a very strong supporting cast, and the promise of more for Violet and Carver, and there are enough threads to pull for Chicago Fire in the future that the show doesn’t need to worry. And neither do we.
VIOLET VIBE
The episode that brought us a new paramedic to replace Sylvie was always going to give Violet a chance to shine, and Chicago Fire 12×07 “Red Flag” doesn’t disappoint in that regard. And the thing is that Replacement Dude (I’m not even learning his name) might pretend that he’s trying, but he’s not. The nicest thing I might say about him is that he might just be an ass and not actively trying to sabotage Violet, but that’s about it.
He clearly isn’t 51 material, though. He’s not having the same issues Carver was having in the beginning, or even Gibson. Those characters had a different vibe, and I say this as someone who didn’t even like Carver. But it’s one thing for a character to have to grow and another for one character to just be determined to be a problem from the beginning. Especially when that character seems to be just a pawn in Chief Robinson’s game against Firehouse 51.
Robinson, however, is a pretty interesting antagonist for 51 in this back half of Season 12. Why she has it out for 51 makes very little sense, at least for now, but she is in a position where she can do a lot of damage to Violet, and to the Firehouse by extension. And that’s the good kind of angst. Everyone against Chief Robinson? Bring it.
BECHDEL TEST
Chicago Fire hasn’t always been the best at giving their female characters a chance at conversations like the one Stella and Violet have in this episode, which is a real shame because the convo is a real highlight not just of this hour but of the season in general. Not just because Stella gives great advice, and the two play off each other well, but because these are the conversations women have with each other more often than not. The conversations we wish we didn’t have to have.
Sure, women talk about their romantic relationships too, but increasingly it is the thing we talk about the least. These two women work together, so it makes sense that they’d discuss the day-to-day work and yes, that a lot of that would include the dynamics of the relationships between men and women while at work. Because it does feel like part of Replacement Dude’s problem with Violet is that she’s a woman.
At some point, Stella and Violet will talk about something else, and that’s part of friendship too. But right now, it feels big that Chicago Fire is giving us this. We want more. In truth, we want everything. That’s what it means to be a woman.
ARE YOU GOING TO PAY THIS OFF, CHICAGO FIRE?
Chicago Fire 12×07 “Red Flag” once again plays with Stellaride in a caregiving capacity, this time with Kelly and a teenager. There’s been a lot of that lately. Stella and a kid. Stella and Julia. There’s hint after hint after hint. And it’s been a few seasons too. At this point, it feels like the show isn’t just trying to hint at something, it feels like it’s hitting us in the head with a hammer.
So, the question is, of course, are we going to have a payoff? And what, exactly, does the payoff look like on a show like Chicago Fire? Is it Stella pregnant? On a show like Chicago Fire, that’s a little complicated because it keeps her off the Firehouse for an extended period of time. But what other option is there? No payoff seems almost unthinkable at this point.
Things I think I think:
- Name, Age, and Occupation indeed. TELL US, Ritter.
- Boden having Violet’s back? FEELS.
- “That can happen in a fire.”
- HA, Severide.
- I’m with Mouch here. That ticket is kinda ridiculous.
- “What’s your approach to managing male egos?” I love this conversation SO MUCH.
- “Ditch the word sorry. That was a big one for me.”
- Do you know what Stella and Kelly would be great at? Being foster parents. It’s not the storyline I’d want for them necessarily, but this episode made me think of how great they’d be at it.
- Violet, I’d punch him.
- Aww, Ritter. YOU’RE DATING A COP.
- Severide, why are you always playing Fire cop and getting in danger?
- And then he just goes on with his business.
- But is this dude actually ..trying?
- Abuelas always know.
- Mouch won!!!
- A happy ending! Imagine that.
- Well, Chief Robinson is an interesting antagonist for Boden and for 51 in general, I guess.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 12×07 “Red Flag”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs on Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
