Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 1 ‘A Monster in the Field’ is a pretty good premiere episode, particularly for a season 13 that needs to more or less establish the pieces on the chess board that is Chicago Fire. The hour, which introduces Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal’s, solidifies Stellaride as the centerpiece of this show and sets up Carver and Violet as the other couples we should be rooting for — even if they have a ways to go — feels like a throwback to the best days of this show, even if Boden’s absence looms large.
In that regard, Pascal is a good addition, not necessarily because he’s a great character, but because there’s enough there to explore, both personally and in his dynamics with other characters that makes for a really interesting season to come. If you add that on top of the two established ship dynamics, the two new characters in Novak and Damon, the relationship between Damon and Severide, and whatever’s going on with Herrmann there’s a lot that Chicago Fire can do in Season 13 to keep us on the edge of our seats without any need for contrived drama.
So let us go into the resolution the Chicago Fire Season 13 premiere ‘A Monster in the Field‘ gave us, and what it set up for the season to come.
I THINK HE’S MISSING THE FEAR GENE
Dom Pascal’s intro is kind of interesting in that I doubt he’s going to be anyone’s favorite character — he clashes with Kidd, and though that is mostly Stella’s fault, we’re all on Stella’s side always, throws out to Severide that he shouldn’t really be working with his wife (and Severide forgets to mention his brother, which is surely going to come back to bite him in the ass), only kinda clicks with Herrmann who seems to see in him something to emulate and seems to misunderstand the dynamics of Firehouse 51 from the get-go.
Plus, that’s without going into the fact that the guy is clearly keeping secrets! And the secrets followed him to Firehouse 51 in episode 1. So, the chances that’s not going to be a thing are slim to none. Then there’s the weird relationship with his wife — was that love, hate, or something in between? Hard to tell. But boring Pascal is not, we’ll give him that. And he will bring some interesting storylines for Firehouse 51. I guess the days of feeling comfortable in the Firehouse are gone. In a way, that’s sad, but also …it might be somewhat interesting, storytelling-wise.
NOT YET
Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 1 ‘A Monster in the Field’ is a top-tier Stellaride episode and one that provides an answer to the question of whether Kelly and Stella are ready to expand their family. And the answer is …not yet.
It’s a fair answer, particularly for Stella, not just in general, but within the context of the job she and Kelly do. Because bringing a kid into this world is a scary proposition and it’s normal to be a little wary of that. And it’s absurdly healthy to be in the type of relationship where you can feel that, communicate it to your partner and they can give you the time you need to process it because a relationship isn’t about the wants and needs of just one person.
This episode is about more than just if Kelly and Stella are going to expand their family, though, it’s about how they function as a unit. Stella is struggling with Pascal the entire hour, and Kelly does the utmost the ground her. First, by distracting her. Then, with a gentle reminder in words. He isn’t pushing or demanding she behaves one way or another because she isn’t a child, she’s an adult. Instead, he’s giving her advice because he cares about her. And later, when things blow up, the two sit down and talk about it, with Kelly there as a sounding board and shoulder to cry on.
Stella also gets her moment to communicate with Kelly about Damon, and it’s done in the same gentle but clear way the two do everything. She loves the relationship he’s building with his brother, but she’s Damon’s Lieutenant, she reminds Severide. And Kelly gets it. It’s as simple as that. There are no issues between them. In fact, it feels like this is the best Stellaride we’ve ever seen. Talk about the “it” couple.
THE PAST IS IN THE PAST
Carver is back from furlough in the Chicago Fire Season 13 premiere and Violet spends the entire episode trying to talk to him, because she’s ready to take a leap, to put herself out there. Except, now Carver is not. He went, licked his wounds, and is now clearly on the rebound. He’s even got an angst beard to prove it! You cannot argue with a man and his angst beard!
Jokes aside, Violet tries to tell Carver that she wants a relationship with him, and Carver wants no part of whatever she wants to say. Instead, he’s got himself a new flame and he is very clear with her that they should not try to pretend they’re anything other than coworkers. The past is in the past. This is after Violet sees him with his new flame and is convinced by Stella and Ritter to still talk to him, because …and they’re right about this …feelings don’t just go away. But it’s hard to blame Carver for protecting his heart considering what happened at the end of Chicago Fire Season 12.
Violet isn’t very clear with him, either. Why communicate? Nah, this is TV! The land of let’s make this angsty and make it last more. And honestly, I had a feeling this couple was going to go this way, so honestly …a part of me isn’t even mad. Of all the contrived ways they could have kept them apart, this one isn’t anywhere near the worst. I don’t mind a little bit of light angst, as long as it’s not drawn out for too long and there’s actual character development that comes out of it. Because Carver’s got issues he’s got to deal with too, and let’s not forget so does Violet. Issues don’t just go away because you want them to. So, this is a good time to work on that.
Things I think I think:
- Oh, so you mean to tell me there was something resembling a plan for Herrman to take over. Good to know.
- It’s good to know everyone feels as eeh about the Chief as we do.
- Violet putting her feelings out there in the middle of the breakfast table, I respect it.
- Stellla looks like a proud mom! And Ritter like a proud sibling!
- Angst beard is working for Carver, I’m not gonna lie.
- Damon and Novak could work for me.
- Two Severides might kill me.
- Look, the phone thing is kinda hilarious with people who know each other as well as these people.
- Stella, Ritter, and Violet talking about Violet’s love life might be my new favorite thing.
- Kelly’s head tilt to Stella. THE KISS.
- “One more kiss and I’ll consider it.”
- A+ communication, I’m a fan.
- Someone hug Carver, AGAIN.
- “I heard about what happened in Miami?” Wait, what happened in Miami?
- Ritter, Novak, and Violet are also a mood.
- I did like how Pascal handled the Novak and Violet case with the kid.
- TALKING ABOUT HAVING KIDS, YOU SAID?
- “You don’t have to apologize.”
- The man that you are, Kelly Severide.
- Cruz, you need to shut up about Damon.
- Oh, how the turntables, Violet.
- I love it when Stella and Severide are on the same wavelength.
- I’m not sure how I feel about Monica Pascal. Or Dom Pascal, for that matter.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 1 “A Monster in the Field”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.
Honest question – we were told that we will see Kelly telling Stella about Damon. Was it really those two seconds? Or they edited it just wrong?! It was a slap in the face after all that talk that we will see her reactio