Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 5 Review: Where Stellaride Goes, We Follow

Happy (early) Halloween! Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 4 ‘Ghosts‘ is the show’s Halloween episode, and though there’s nothing quite that spooky going on here, it’s still a pretty fun hour. Or wait, did I say fun? I meant emotionally compromising, but nice and family-oriented. You know, just what we want out of a holiday episode!

From Herrmann not knowing how to ask for help, to his team (family) finding a way to help anyway, to Stella and Kelly once again proving why they’re the pillars of One Chicago right now, this is an episode about how you need people in good times and bad ones. And Firehouse 51 will always be there for each other. Sound familiar, right? That’s been the show’s vibe from Episode 1. But it’s a very good thing that they can still manage to send that message as well as they did this hour.

MORE: Check out our review of Episode 1 of Season 14, Episode 2, Episode 3 and Episode 4.

NOBODY AT 51 IS ALONE

‘Ghosts’ moves away from the immediate aftermath of the fire at Herrmann’s house, and instead focuses on how the family picks up the pieces. Except that’s not something anyone knows how to do. The situation doesn’t come with a manual. In fact, the only thing Herrmann knows when this episode begins is that he would like people to stop trying to fix things for him.

It comes from a good place, of course. But it’s also exhausting for Herrmann, particularly because he doesn’t have answers. He doesn’t know what they need, you know, other than turning back the clock. And so he defaults to saying he doesn’t need anything. But Mouch sees through him, and Firehouse 51 is quick to rally behind Mouch’s idea. Because that’s what you do for family.

Herrmann just wants things to go back to the way they used to be. But that’s not possible. Now, what he needs is to find the best way forward. And even if he wants to be the one to fix everything, the truth is he doesn’t have to do that alone. He can’t. He needs to involve his wife, his kids, and yes, even his found family in it. Because Cindy and the kids deserve a say, and because his family at Firehouse 51 can help. He’s not alone, and though sometimes, in our hardest moments, it’s hard to remember that, the people who care for us will always be there to remind us.

MORE: Chicago Fire failed the Stellaride pregnancy storyline. What next?

THE STELLARIDE FAMILY

We don’t get a big moment from Stellaride this episode, but what we get is a collection of small moments that speak volumes. Stella going to Kelly to discuss what’s going on with Vasquez. The way Kelly never tries to step in to handle something that’s Stella’s to handle. His concern she’s hurt. The way he can’t stop looking at her until he knows she’s safe, and then after. The way she listens to him and gets checked out, not just for him but for her.

This season has already given us some big Stellaride moments, good or bad. But this episode proves once again something that has been true about Chicago Fire for about a decade. As long as Kelly and Stella are on our screen, giving us ship content, this show is worth watching. As long as the show lets them keep building on their relationship, growing together, and hopefully building a family, then we will still be here.

And it’s not that they’re the only thing that works in the show, or in this hour. But they are, without a doubt, the beating soul of the show at this point. Now, we need a little more. Let’s explore the pregnancy loss and what that means for both Kelly and Stella. Let’s figure out where they go next. And let’s do it soon, please.

MORE: There were a lot of cast changes in One Chicago this year. Find out which here.

Things I think I think:

• Look, I’m pretty okay with Vasquez at this point, but he’s had so much screentime in the early part of this season, and every second he gets takes away from other characters.
• You don’t have to figure it out alone, Herrmann.
• “I’m Stella Kidd. The name speaks for itself.” And Kelly’s face! I love it when they’re silly.
• I find boss Kelly very attractive.
• Ofc a ghost warned you. Of course.
• Cindy is right, Herrmann. She has to be involved in the decisions.
• He just wants to be doing stuff, though.
• “You don’t just move on from something like this.”
• So Stella now knows Vasquez’s secret.
• The dad is giving toxic. And now Stella is invested.
• I love that Kelly is in charge, but his question to Stella is “what are you gonna do?” because this is her problem, and he would never step over her.
• Have we discussed how I love Lizzie Novak? She fits in so well at Firehouse 51.
• Stella nooo.
• I’m fine. Kelly carrying Stella didn’t give me heart palpitations or anything.
• Everyone worried about Stella was giving me feels.
• “You going.”
• Vasquez checking on Stella is giving me feels, what?!
• “Let us do this one measly thing.”
• Just the family meaning 51!
• Stella is too good for this world. She’s offering to help Vasquez five episodes in, and she barely knows him!
• What I hate is that Pascal was right, lol. Stella was the right Lieutenant for Vasquez.
• Ah, so his dad is the reason he’s even at 51.
• You kinda did need the help, dude.
• I don’t even know what the right answer is for Herrmann and Cindy, but I would not want to rebuild. It makes me tired just thinking about it.
• Novak and Vasquez are absolutely gonna be a thing.
• THEY SPENT SO MUCH TIME HELPING ISAIAH WITH THEIR COSTUME THAT THEY DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO DO ANYTHING FOR THEMSELVES.
• The parents that they are.
• Herrmann crying a little. We are crying a little.
• Search Engine Now?

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 5 ‘Ghosts’? 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.