Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 15 ‘Do Not Resuscitate‘ is one of those episodes of the show that manages to be entertaining without doing too much to challenge the status quo. Severide is gone for this episode, so Stella is at the center of the hour, and we already know she’s capable of carrying an episode on her back. She’s got help, of course, because Violet and Lizzie are very good characters, and it’s great to have Mouch again to banter with Herrmann. Well, and Vasquez is there too.
However, in many ways, this episode just feels like the calm before the storm. Severide will be back, and we will have to deal with the repercussions of his decision and Pascal’s departure. Lizzie is bound to find out about Vasquez and Violet, because this is a TV show. And, well… we don’t have many more episodes to go. Other than budget cuts and the uncertainty about who’ll be around any given day, which the show has played with all season, what else can Chicago Fire throw at us to end the season?
We don’t know, but we do know enough about this show that we’re a little concerned about the fact that right now, we don’t have much of a clue.
MORE: Read our review of the One Chicago crossover.
CAPTAIN SEVERIDE?
As predicted, Severide is not around in this episode. But the reason he’s not is one that both feels out of character and perfectly in character, at the same time. Or at least, in character with the growth we’ve seen from him in the last few years. Because Severide is sitting for the Captain’s exam. And though he reportedly hasn’t made a decision about taking Pascal’s office, in many ways, it feels like he has. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be taking the exam in the first place.
For many years, Severide just… didn’t want this. I think he figured if he ever did something that wasn’t be in Squad, it would be OFI. But now Severide is willingly taking the next step forward in his career by taking the Captain exam. Doesn’t mean he’s coming for Battalion Chief. But it does mean he’s understood that, sometimes, the best thing you can do is… keep moving. Not just for himself, and for Firehouse 51, but also, perhaps for the family he and Stella want.
I’ve said before that I think that Severide’s reluctance to be a leader has been the thing that has made him such an effective leader. He leads from the heart, and from the position of someone who has been there and who has no qualms about literally stepping into the fire with his team. And Firehouse 51, well… they’ve been through a lot of changes. And sure, they warmed up to Pascal. But can anyone lead them better than Severide at this point? The answer is no. And no one should try.
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A GREAT GROUP OF WOMEN
Jeanine Mason’s Lucy has only been around for two episodes, and I kind of never want her to leave. But this hour, which puts Stella at the center and gives Lizzie and Violet a good storyline, is not just about these individual women; it’s about how good a job this show has done at integrating them all into the storyline about first responders, and a storyline about just… the different roles women can take on and excel at.
TV has changed a lot from the days when we, perhaps, would have been surprised to see women cast as first responders. And Chicago Fire has a long history of great female characters and very good friendships, too. It’s just that the show has, at times, not truly leaned into the dynamics between the women as well as it could. Lately, however, it feels like we’re getting closer and closer to what real women are like, instead of just what TV sometimes wants to tell us female characters should be.
Big caveat, though. Lucy is great. Stella continues to be the best character on this show. But… this whole thing between Violet and Lizzie is uncomfortable, to say the least. We understand Violet’s instinct, we do. But it feels like it’s all going to blow up in her face, and it’s going to end up hurting her friendship with Lizzie, which is the last thing we want. Vasquez is okay and all, but what we’re really invested in here is the two of them. And we don’t want what they have compromised by a guy. Any guy.
MORE: Here’s how Chicago Fire said goodbye to Pascal
Things I think I think:
- This lawyer slander!
- Everyone eulogizing Pascal.
- Severide’s sitting for the Captain’s exam? I mean, it feels like about time.
- Stella is next in command!
- Let’s never get rid of Lucy, please.
- Herrmann as an actor is a recipe for disaster.
- Jeanine Mason needs to stay forever, truly.
- Well, Heidi confirmed the Vasquez thing. Not that Violet didn’t know.
- Stella is playing cop, too! Fun times.
- I find it hilarious (not) that we basically swapped Vasquez for Carver and kept more or less the same dynamic with Stella.
- Wow, Herrmann. Wow.
- Oh, Vasquez saw right through that kid.
- Stella is such a good mentor, though. She really is. I’m glad we get to see it.
- “I’m a firefighter. This is where I’m meant to be.”
- Stella and Violet yeees. More of them. Always.
- Okay, if Herrmann is happy, I’m happy.
- “I trust Violet with my life.” Yeah, this is going to hurt.
- At least Lizzie has her sister?
- I just don’t care about Vasquez that way, okay? Okay.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 15 ‘Do Not Resuscitate’? 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.
