Chicago Fire 12×12 “Under Pressure” is a decent, if forgettable episode. Procedurals often have those in the bag, and though they are nothing to write home about, it’s better to be able to deliver them and not have them be the worst thing in the world than to have episodes like these be the kind that makes people want to turn off the TV and never watch the show again.
That being said, it’s unlikely I will ever find myself rewatching this hour of my own free will.
Severide is a character who can, on his own, carry an hour. We probably don’t want an entire season of the adventures of Severide, but we can do with an episode. An entire season would get way too reckless, considering just with an episode (and the return of Lennox, whose angle no one really understands) it’s already borderline we get you Kelly, we do, but let’s breathe and think about what we’re doing.
The show isn’t really asking Kinney to do it alone, as Hanako Greensmith’s Violet has emerged as a crucial piece in the ensemble that is Chicago Fire these days, and her character works not only when she is in the middle of a romantic storyline, whether it be with Hawkins or later with Carver. Instead, this episode sees her furthering her friendship with her new partner Novak, and it is through her that we learn to like this new character more.
Chicago Fire has already been renewed for Season 13, and just as any long-running procedural, the show has had to reinvent itself quite a few times. Is it still as good as it ever was? That’s in the eye of the beholder. It’s fair to say that, at some other points in its run, it had more for more people. But it is still a show that can deliver great moments, a show with very good characters, and a show that has what it takes to entertain us and make us feel. This is probably why it’s coming back.
Things I think I think:
- An episode without Stella is like a day without sunlight. Just kidding, but it’s actually striking how much I missed her.
- If we add Carver, Mouch, Boden, and Herrmann, it feels like a little too much.
- The Violet and Novak relationship is growing on me, as I knew it would after that call with the kid a few episodes back.
- I’m torn between whether I want the show to try to give Severide Boden’s job considering how bad he’d be at it, and how much drama that would cause considering how bad he’d be at it because that feels like a low-level drama, or whether I don’t want that kind of drama because Severide isn’t even qualified for it.
- Okay, look, I think they made me forget about Paramedic Chief Lady for far too long. And I wish I’d gotten more time to say goodbye to Walker, but I guess if he’s going to be recurring next season, it makes sense that we’re not getting this big goodbye.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire 12×12 “Under Pressure”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs on Wednesdays on NBC.
I disagree with you on this one. I loved this episode. While I do agree that there were too many people left out of it, Herman and Ritter specifically, I really enjoyed it.
Capp and Tony really don’t get storylines. So seeing them have one, even as comic relief, is a good thing. The actor who plays Tony is a real life Chicago Fireman. He advises the show to keep the rescue scenes and their procedures realistic. So he deserves the spotlight every once in a while. Having him and Capp compete with 2 squad members from another house who are clearly clones of them was funny. I laughed out loud when they told the other squad members “you wasted $1,200 just to get in the Guinness Book of World Records.” Loved the light hearted distraction.
I have enjoyed how they have brought Novak along. I like how Violet realizes how different they are and that is a strength. As stated from the previous episode, how they can learn from one another. Also got a good laugh out of Violet bragging about her bread making skills. Seeing her help Novak through a difficult call and Novak accepting her help was good for their relationship. Finding out that Novak was going from firehouse to firehouse as a coping mechanism and to avoid trauma gives insight into her character.
The best part of the episode in my opinion is the Cruz and Chloe storyline. While their marital issues seem to come out of nowhere, this episode clarifies that they didn’t. Chloe almost ended her relationship with Cruz because of her anxiety of worrying about him while he is on calls. That Mouch almost dying and Trudy losing it, brought these feelings to the surface makes sense. What family members of First Responders go through and the anxiety they face, I can’t imagine. Hearing about a police officer being shot or a five alarm fire and knowing that your spouse could be injured or worse is a lot for anyone to deal with. I hope that they continue this storyline next season. I also hope we get a scene with Chloe and Cindy. There is a lot of potential for a good and fresh storyline out of this.