Chicago Fire 12×08 Review: “All the Dark”

Chicago Fire 12×08 “All the Dark” is another excellent episode that showcases all the show does well, moves different storylines forward, and lets different characters shine. The show might have become something different than what it started as, but it has managed to remain an entertaining, found family-centered drama for 12 seasons, and that is truly something to celebrate.

Of course, whether you still love it or not might depend on what your favorite parts of that found family were, but the show is still very good at episodes such as this one — ones that weave some interesting calls into the day-to-day lives of characters we have already learned to care about while allowing us to invest in where they could go next.

So let us talk about just that, where the characters go next as we discuss Chicago Fire 12×08 “All the Dark”:

THIS ISN’T CASUAL

The funny thing about Violet and Carver’s “casual” fling is that they’re playing two very different games. Violet is just deluding herself. She knows her thing with Carver is anything but casual, but as long as she tells herself it is casual, she can keep doing it. Carver, on the other hand, knows better. He knows what he feels for her isn’t at all casual and he seems to have accepted that he’s heading for a crash, he is just happy to go along for the ride because he cares for her more than he’s scared of the consequences.

And since this is a TV show, a crash is surely coming. Those consequences won’t be put off forever.

Carver can’t really promise he won’t get hurt, which is what Violet is scared of. The best he can promise is to try. Violet can’t promise she won’t be scared. Best she can do is decide that she’s willing to live, to try. She might not be there yet, but if the relationship continues to grow, there might come a point where Violet realizes she’s already there, even if she never gave her heart permission.

GOOD LUCK, CHIEF BODEN

Boden makes the right choices and the wrong choices in this episode because Boden never quite makes the political choices. That’s pretty much why we love Boden. He’s gotten where he is even though he’s never been a political person, not because of it. And things go his way again, because of it. Yet there’s a specter of possibility that they might not in the future. Chief Robinson remains a threat. And she is an interesting one at that.

Honestly, a part of me is very excited about seeing Robinson versus Boden taken to the next level because I hate the thought of anything possibly happening to Boden and I imagine Firehouse 51wouwld go absolutely feral if Boden’s position were jeopardized. Just saying, that would make for a pretty great cliffhanger to the season.

And honestly, that’s the best angst I can think of at this point.

STELLARIDE IS THE ANCHOR

They only have a few moments together, but Chicago Fire 12×08 “All the Dark” does a great job of showcasing Stellaride as the anchor of this show. They work together, they casually spend time together at home (sadly interrupted time, but we can imagine this happening every morning now) and yes, they once again get to talk through what’s happening in the Firehouse (as couples do!). This is Stellaride at their best, and as a result, it’s Chicago Fire at its best.

Fans don’t need much more than this level of continuity for the couple. Because yes, if you work with your husband, you’d go to him first to tell him about the things going on with your people. You’d go to him first to make plans about how to take down a shady doctor. And when the show remembers these things, it all flows so much better.

Plus, the little physical affection we did get is a nice perk, not gonna lie.

Things I think I think:

• Sure, sure, doesn’t mean anything.
• ALSO, WHY ON THE FLOOR?
• Carver, why are you playing? This is not casual.
• Good for you, Stella. Call her out.
• Severide is MAAAAD. I like it. He’s got a right to be.
• Me seeing that gas: 😱😱
• Severide will Severide, just telling Cruz “we don’t.”
• “Doing the right thing is more important than being liked.” Who hurt him?
• Crockett!
• Ok, so it’s finally Boden vs. Robinson. Let’s do it.
• Seriously, Gibson?
• I’m happy we got that little Stellaride scene, but I’d like it more if they didn’t get interrupted.
• Every episode needs at least one minute of uninterrupted Stellaride time.
• Gibson *is* right, though.
• Sella is a woman on a mission.
• Yeah, this is not looking good for Gibson.
• I’m gonna get MAD if this lady ends up really coming after Boden and not Violet, okay? Okay.
• Carver’s got Gibson’s number, he really, really does. And I can see how Gibson’s crash, whenever it comes, is going to hit him hard.
• “Good luck Chief Boden, you’ll need it.”
• Stella talking to Kelly about Gibson was peeerfection, though.
• Okay, but yes, Herrmann, they got you. That was the winner.
• I liked Gibson, though. Does that mean we’re getting Kylie now?
• “There are more of us than you know who believe it’s time for some fresh blood”
• BRING IT.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think about Chicago Fire 12×08 “All the Dark”? Share with us in the comments below!

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