Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 14 ‘Bar Time’ is an episode about accountability, to yourself and others. It’s also an hour about how identifying a problem doesn’t make it easy to solve. No, sometimes, the work only begins when you know what the problem is.
The hour does a pretty good job at being compelling even without most of Squad and Pascal by giving Herrmann a chance to be the boss, leaning on the Vioelt and Novak dynamics—with Lizzie’s ex along for the ride, and of course, showcasing every member of Truck 81. We get tiny moments that advance everyone’s plot, while the bulk of the episode is spent on Carver and Novak, on how far they’ve come, and sometimes even on how much road is still left to be walked, for both of them.
The fact that the episode works is a testament to the job this show has done at building two characters who haven’t been here for a while. Novak’s storyline is mostly personal, and yet we care because we care about her—not just about her relationship with Violet. The same holds true of Carver, a character we thought we would never like when he was introduced, and who now feels like part of the fabric of Firehouse 51.
When you have an ensemble as large as Chicago Fire does, you can let different characters step into the spotlight every hour, if you wish. Particularly if you’ve done the work to make absolutely all of them compelling.
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IT’S EASIER WHEN YOU’RE NOT ALONE
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 14 ‘Bar Time’ continues the Carver storyline the only way it can, by showing that Carver isn’t okay. In fact, Carver might even be doing worse now than he was before he accepted he had a problem. Because when you’re still deluding yourself, things seem easier. When you accept that you have a problem, then you have to fix it.
Jake Lockett is great in this hour at showcasing the vulnerability of a character we’ve seen play the tough guy and we’ve seen let people in while still keeping his walls up. This Carver, however, is having trouble doing that. When you need to redirect all your attention towards putting one step in front of the other and making it through the day, it’s harder to put up walls. And in a way, that’s a good thing for Carver.
Because this road he’s trying to walk is one that’s much easier to walk if you have people on your side. And no, that doesn’t mean that sobriety depends on others. No one can cure you, or make you better. That’s still your decision, and your choice every day. That’s why Carver takes some time off, to build his foundation. But people can be your support, your sounding board, and if you let them, the ones keeping you accountable.
This holds true for Lizzie Novak as well. And she is, perhaps, farther along on the journey that Carver is. But for both of them, it begins with a choice, one that you often have to make over and over again.
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Things I think I think:
- More Carver and Violet convos, please.
- Though I’m not sure I believe Carver. I want to. I’m just not sure. He’s clearly struggling.
- “You see what I have to deal with? Relentless positivity.”
- Herrman looks like he’s having FUN. Not.
- ADOPTION FORMS.
- Her “ex-fiancé”?
- Ritter just moping alongside Carver, MY HEART.
- Ooh, she ghosted him.
- Stella and Mouch checking on Herrmann is nice.
- Are we supposed to be like well, at least they left him somewhere where he could be helped?
- Carver, you need to stop man.
- Damon, what?
- Okay, look, I’ll take Damon popping up every once in a while.
- “Excuses are for those who need them” is actually a pretty good line.
- You don’t look happy for him, Lizzie.
- She can see right through you, Carver. Right. Through. You.
- “Maybe who I used to be.” LIZZIE.
- “Let the delegating begin.”
- That hurt me, Violet.
- But do you let people go for a reason, Violet? Sometimes it’s just fear.
- “The only time I haven’t taken a drink is when I’m on shift.”
- Stella telling Carver she’s proud of him. AM I CRYING? I ship Carver and Violet very much, but Stella and Carver’s relationship is still very important to me. You can love platonic relationships too! And Stella… well, I don’t think Carver has ever had anyone who sees him and believes in him.
- Aww, Herrman.
- “His spot will be waiting for him.”
- That’s basically a love letter, Violet.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 14 ‘Bar Time’? Share with us in the comments below! And if you have your own opinion on the show, leave a review/rating on our Chicago Fire hub!
Chicago Fire airs on Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
