Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 5 ‘Down The Rabbit Hole‘ is an episode that focuses on the ships, but that never forgets that this show is about more than that. There’s been a pretty good balance this season of the romantic and the team-centric, and the show has even found ways to incorporate Pascal that don’t seem contrived and that is very different from the ways Boden would have been incorporated.
This is clearly a different version of Chicago Fire, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. A long-running procedural will have to contend with change every once in a while. Sinking or swimming depends on a good foundation and the willingness to adapt. All things considered, it seems like right now the show is doing just fine. How could it not when, when push comes to shove, it always has two good ships to fall back on.
MORE: Here’s our review of the Chicago Fire Season 13 premiere! And here’s our review of Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 2!
STELLARIDE MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER
A focus on Stellaride working together helps elevate Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 5 ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ because there’s no better dynamic on the show right now. The fact that their investigation comes after a very close call for Severide (and proof that their relationship is still fire, if you know what I mean) only makes the moments we get of them better because there’s a heightened sense of importance to the fact that they get to do this thing side by side. Sure, they are both first responders and close calls are the name of the game, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t scary. That doesn’t mean they don’t leave a mark.
That mark feels especially heavy with the conversation about possibly expanding their family hanging over them. Because if it’s heartbreaking to think about losing each other when there’s only the two of you to think about, if you bring a child into the mix, the desperation and the feature grow exponentially higher. And yet both Kelly and Stella love the job. They don’t want to give it up. So what’s the middle ground? Can they get all they desire and push through despite their fears?
That’s not really something this episode touches deeply on, but it doesn’t need to. Stella and Kelly are a team, and the important thing is that they are that in good times and bad times. That’s what a real couple should be. And sure, being a team doesn’t mean things get easy or that you will get a good result every time, but it’s so much better than facing things alone.
MORE: Here’s our review of Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 3. And our review of Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 4.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VIOLET
Violet’s birthday turns out to be a great celebration of her life, tiara and friends included, and a mess for Carver, who lies to his casual hookup (we’re not calling her girlfriend) about having OT so that he can go to Violet’s party. But the mess is probably good considering it leads to him finding out about the message Violet sent.
Carver always needed to know, and the fact that Tori lied (and you know, deleted the message in the first place), proved that she could never be more than a rebound for him. And honestly, even without having done that, she wasn’t even a good rebound because he didn’t seem to be with her for any other reason than to forget he couldn’t be with Violet.
Does that solve everything? No, of course not. Carver now has to decide what he wants, and if he’s willing to risk his heart once again. Because there’s no doubt that Violet kinda broke it, but he also kinda broke it himself a little. It’s a really complicated situation because timing is really, really not on their side. He wanted a rebound, so he went and found one. Violet is now looking for hers. Talk about the right person, wrong time.
MORE: Is Chicago Fire Season 13 living up to our hopes for the show? Read on for more!
Things I think I think:
- This woman is such a bad influence for Carver. And she did that concert thing on purpose, somehow. I know she did.
- Well, the Stellaride fire is alive and well, if you know what I mean.
- You need to stop being weird about the Chief, Novak.
- Too close, Kelly. Too close.
- Ritter and Novak together are comedic gold.
- Ok, Carver, but if you don’t want to go out with your casual hookup, at least don’t lie to her.
- Kylie is everyone’s secret weapon, I swear.
- Pascal actually being helpful! And talking things through with both Severide and Stella. I’m SHOOK.
- Okay, this show needed Kylie ages ago. I’m so glad she’s here.
- That went well for Novak. I’m still concerned about her crush. Please walk away slowly, woman.
- Why is Ritter the one everyone goes to for tech advice?
- I love angry Stella.
- But seriously, is she just going to bond with every kid and teenager she meets until she decides she actually does want to have a baby? Is that what we’re doing? Are they going to adopt?
- TRUDY!!!!!
- Pascal saying good things about Stella? Whaaat
- Ok, but Tori is a psycho. Walk away, Carver. WALK AWAY.
- Everyone needs to walk away from their toxic situationships.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 5 ‘Down The Rabbit Hole’? Share with us in the comments below.
Chicago Fire airs on Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
