Chicago Fire 12×09 “Something About Her” is a pretty uneven episode, sustained by the moments with the established characters, but one that seems to be missing some of the spark that the show has more or less steadily sustained this season. Even in a short season, it’s hard for every episode to be great, and the episode never really becomes hard to watch, even if it doesn’t impress the way some of the season’s earlier outings did.
As has been the case for years, increasingly so in the past few episodes, the standouts for the hour are a Miranda Rae Mayo who has enough gravitas and heart to carry this show alone, but that doesn’t need to because she has a Taylor Kinney who doesn’t just meet her at every turn, but that actively makes her better. Stella and Kelly are always the most interesting thing happening on Chicago Fire, and when the episode doesn’t have a lot of them, the episode suffers because of it.
But the issue with Chicago Fire 12×09 “Something About Her” isn’t even that there isn’t much Stellaride, though after the promise of the two of them working together, there really isn’t, it’s that the hour feels like a collection of isolated moments that never really come together to make up anything coherent.
Sure, the new paramedic has some interesting moments. And yes, Boden’s son is a compelling addition. We’re glad to see Kylie — not that we get a real explanation of why or how she’s here — and she should never leave. But what do we do with that? What conclusion can we reach from all those things put together? Is it leading somewhere for Chicago Fire as a show? It’s hard to tell.
At times, it’s felt like the show is trying to find a new, firm footing after the recent departures, and it is clear that Chicago Fire knows what its strengths are. But the throw everything at the wall and see what sticks approach regarding everything other than the two things they are certain about isn’t really working.
Even the Mouch storyline, which feels earned because Mouch doesn’t get anywhere near enough screen time, is very strange. We didn’t get paramedicine, Sylvie’s baby, when Sylvie was around, but now we get the story back and just for this? For Mouch to get a creepy stalker? A storyline about something that could do so much good? I know not everything on Chicago Fire has to be feel-good stories, but this is very icky.
The Stellaride moments, Kylie’s general presence, and Boden’s last scene with his son salvage Chicago Fire 12×09 “Something About Her,” but the episode is still one of the weakest in Season 12. Next time, more of the things that work, please.
Things I think I think:
- Okay, but Kylie or Kylie, right?
- Now we’re seeing paramedicine? NOW?
- And you left the Tupperware?!
- Every new paramedic we’re like: are you like normal weird or TOO weird to stay?
- Is it just me or is every conversation between Kelly and Stella low-key flirting? You guys are married already!
- I take it back, new paramedic miiight be a problem. No one gets in the middle of my ship.
- Kylie IS the best, she should never leave.
- I mean, good that Stellaride is on solid enough ground that Kelly can just go play fire cop again and no one cares? But continuity?
- OKAY NOW STELLA IS INVOLVED I LIKE IT MORE. (Edited to add: These are usually stream-of-consciousness thoughts I write as I’m watching the episode, so I understand that right after I complained about the lack of continuity, Stella came into the picture and the show demonstrated they really did have the continuity of this storyline clear. Stella never really cared about Kelly playing at OFI, she cared that he was keeping secrets from her. All she wanted was open communication)
- Kylie also gives good advice.
- Cop says: we ask the questions. Severide says yes. Two seconds later: Severide asks the questions.
- Mouch’s storyline is making me so uncomfortable.
- Okay, fineeeee I can give the new paramedic a chance.
- THE WAY SHE DISARMED THAT GUN.
- Good on Kelly for having his wife next to him for the confrontation.
- Trudy OMG.
- Yeah, Mouch we love her too.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 12×09 “Something About Her”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs on Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
