Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 1 ” A Monster In the Field” is a welcome return for a show that had a lot of questions going into the new season. And though there is, indeed, a sense of newness to Season 13, and a sense of loss — Eamonn Walker’s absence does indeed loom large — there’s also a sense of possibility, and one clear certainty: as long as this show has Stellaride, it can weather any storm.
It’s hard to pull off a Season 13 premiere and make viewers feel excited for the journey to come, particularly when that journey is made up of a combination of new storylines and established ones. Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 1 ” A Monster In the Field” does a pretty good job of just that, and it does so while introducing enough tension that the stakes feel very clear from the beginning.
Whether we end up liking Chief Pascal or not, that’s a matter for another day. For now, well …the important thing is that he’s here, and it’s a new world at Firehouse 51.

Here are some teases for Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 1 ” A Monster In the Field”
- For an episode that’s not really focused on Stellaride, this felt like a top-tier Stellaride episode to me.
- Loving some of the character combinations the show is doing in this episode, in particular a trio of characters we’ve rarely gotten to see interact as much as they get to do this episode.
- Yes, there are answers to all of the cliffhangers from last season. Some of those answers feel good. Others… not so much.
- This was a rollercoaster episode for my Dom Pascal feelings, but I get the sense the last scene of the episode is going to be the reason a lot of people might end up liking him. I’m still reserving judgment.
- Though this episode clearly set up a plot thread that they now have to unravel later in the season, and it’s something that’s gonna make us and the entirety of 51 dislike the Chief.
- It’s not a spoiler to say Carver (Jake Lockett) is back. It might not even be a spoiler to say Carver is looking damn fine after his furlough. But yeah, heartbreak and some time away looks good on Carver. Or maybe it’s the facial hair?
- One of my favorite scenes of the episode involves Herrman and Mouch. Writing this line brought me an immense amount of joy.
- I was having some trouble with Cruz in this episode, though. Like, I get it, but also Joe, I don’t.
- Oh, how the turntables.
- Yeah, making Jocelyn Hudon a series regular was an A+ decision on the part of Chicago Fire. This episode already proves it.
Are you excited for Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 1 “A Monster in the Field”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire returns on Wednesday, September 25 on NBC.