Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 16 ‘Firehouse 66′ is a weird hour in that only Squad is around, and that makes the show feel less like an ensemble and more like the Kelly Severide show, featuring Cruz and sometimes Cap and Tony, with Hopkins in the antagonist role. We knew we would get episodes like this one when the show was renewed and budget cuts were announced; we just didn’t know how they would hit. For now, though, the experiment hasn’t been a complete disaster.
This hour in particular works because we’re at a really strong point for Severide’s story, and also because it should be a shock to no one that Taylor Kinney can carry an episode. His dynamic with Stella is still the best in the show, but if she’s not around for one episode, Kinney can still make Severide interesting on his own. And ‘Firehouse 66’ focuses on that next step for Severide, professionally and personally.
For a long time, Severide was content with what he had and where he was. He loved Stella, and she was his family, and he loved being Lieutenant on Squad. But these days, Severide wants more. He dreams of more. He dreams of a bigger family. Passing that Captain’s exam and being the leader Firehouse 51 needs. Taking that next step. And that… well, that’s a normal part of life.
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WE GROW. WE CHANGE
Just because the things Severide wants now aren’t the things he wanted when he started at Firehouse 51, or even a couple of years ago, doesn’t mean it’s not okay to want them. Or that he doesn’t really want them now. Life isn’t static. How boring it would be if it were. Instead, we go through things, and those things change us. They teach us lessons. And what we think, want, and dream of changes accordingly.
But before ‘Firehouse 66’, it felt like Severide had fallen into leadership and that, even though he was content with it, it was more of a thing that happened than a thing he really wanted. He was probably going to be good at it, but it’s only when Chief Hopkins fights him on it that Severide truly realizes how much he wants to take this new step.
That’s what leads him to do some research on Hopkins. To figure out that the Chief doesn’t really have a problem with him, he’s got a problem with what he thinks Severide represents. With Benny. Daddy issues coming back to bite Severide, once again. But I don’t think it’ll take too long for him to prove that he’s nothing like Benny Severide. He never has been.
And now, well… now Severide knows he wants this. Now he knows what he’s fighting for. Now he knows he’s the man Firehouse 51 needs. A man with a clear purpose is a formidable foe indeed.
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IT’S OKAY IF IT’S BITTERSWEET
The other part of ‘Frehouse 66’ is about Cruz, or Cruz and Chloe’s news, and how that affects or doesn’t affect Severida (and Stella). Because from early on, Cruz is afraid to tell Severide, and part of it seems to be that he doesn’t want to hurt him. Doesn’t want to rub in his face the thing Severide and Stella couldn’t get. But Severide’s reaction is one of pure joy for Cruz. Because that’s the kind of man he is. He’s happy for his friend. He’s sure Stella is going to be happy, too.
But if, in the middle of that happiness, there’s a little bit of pain, that would be kinda normal too. If this comes up again, and it hurts a little, it would make sense. Not because of Cruz. But because this is still something Severide wants, and the fact that he and Stella haven’t had luck is still an open wound. They’ve at least discussed it now. Cards are on the table. But a conversation doesn’t make the feelings go away. In fact, knowing he and Stella are on the same page might even make it harder.
We spent all of last season with this conversation about whether Stella and Kelly wanted to have kids, only for them to decide that yes. Then they got pregnant and lost the baby. Then we had a little bit of a journey for Stella, especially, but also for Kelly. Because sometimes you don’t know what you have and what you want (or how much you actually want it) until it’s taken from you. But we’ve been on a standstill for a while. Now, it’s time to move forward. It’s time for that family. Please get on it, Chicago Fire.
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Things I think I think:
- Ooh we’re gonna touch on the pregnancy loss?!
- Wildfire training, okay. Okay. But I miss Stella.
- “Ready to step up.”
- What are we telling Severide?
- Teenagers, lol.
- Oh, the dude is friends with the Pope? LOL. Chicago things.
- Everyone is off except Squad?!!
- Aww, Joe is having another baby!
- Me at this emergency: HOW?
- What does this dude have against Severide?
- And the way he stared at Kelly’s picture with Stella? I already don’t like him.
- How can you check if Kelly and Stella can work together in an episode where Stella is not around?
- I mean, sure, it’s against the rules, but we’re in Season 14, my dude. Catch up.
- “I can handle it,” says Severide.
- I like seeing more of Chloe.
- Of course he passed the test!
- Again, what’s this dude’s problem? What mistake is he not making again?
- “Just wanted to hear your voice.” Calling the wifey. I love it.
- I didn’t think anyone could be more annoying than early Pascal. I take that back!
- Look, the Chief didn’t say cowboy like a compliment, but it was!
- How are they doing these calls without an ambo?!
- Imagine that, Chief. Severide knows what he’s doing.
- Lucy, you really used the Pope?!
- Oh, he’s got a problem with Benny. At least that makes sense.
- I mean, not timeline-wise because how old even is this dude? But like, makes sense plot-wise. Or more sense than he’s just being irrational for no reason, lol. He’s still a plot device to get Severide where the show wants him to be.
- Joy, he’s staying.
- “There’s not room for both of us here?” He better be the one leaving, then!
- At least we’re keeping Lucy?
- “You’d be working for me, not for 51.”
- Eh.
- Aww, Javi. Baby. I’m gonna cry.
- “51 is my home.”
- “Hopkins wants a fight; he’s got one.” Also, we’re all Team Severide, obvs. Let’s make t-shirts.
- I’m glad he went to Van Meter. Especially because Stella wasn’t available.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 16 ‘Firehouse 66’? 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.
I’m not in love with this storyline at all. Commissioner Grissom and Deputy Commissioner Boden are still in charge of the CFD. While they have political pressures and a lot on their plate, the idea that they would allow Hopkins to create major issues for Severide is laughable.