Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 18 ‘Instinct‘ is the perfect example of how to do an episode that focuses on just a few characters. Budget cuts are the way of TV these days, and this show has had to navigate cycling people out this season, with mixed results. Part of the problem is that they didn’t really start with it early enough when it comes to the main character, which means we’ve had a string of episodes where we’ve been missing Kelly, Stella, or both.
Not just that, we’ve had episodes that focus on a big storyline for one of them, where the other was missing, which means we’ve been robbed of one of the things we like the most about this show: seeing Stellaride face problems together.
‘Instinct’, however, is an episode that basically focuses on Violet and Lizzie, ft. Vasquez for a while, and basically no one else. Lucy is around, as she struggles with whether she wants to do what Chief Hopkins said or alert Kelly that the Chief is trying to sabotage him. But other than that, it’s just Violet and Lizzie facing one of the most complicated calls they’ve ever had, together. And sure, Vasquez comes in clutch, but make no mistake, these women save themselves.
If the episode succeeds, it’s because both Violet and Lizzie have become fan favorite characters, and also because of the superb chemistry between Hanako Greensmith and Jocelyn Hudon. Vasquez doesn’t hurt this episode, but by the end of the hour, we’re still left with the feeling that… he doesn’t really add anything. We don’t want a love triangle. We don’t need one. The most important relationship here, the one we care about, is the one between Violet and Lizzie.
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TRUST
‘Instinct’ picks back up at a moment where the trust between Violet and Lizzie has been shaken a little. Not broken, no, but Lizzie feels a little hurt that Violet didn’t tell her about Vasquez. And that’s understandable. Violet was trying very hard not to hurt her partner, but secrets like this one always end up becoming a bigger problem than just coming clean.
At least, though, this episode proves that the problems between Violet and Lizzie are not as big as the love they have for each other. That was established in the fact that Violet decided to come clean, even if perhaps she didn’t have to. And then it was reinforced by the fact that Lizzie chose to share how she was feeling with Violet, even if doing so meant they would have an uncomfortable moment.
Sometimes you mess up. Sometimes you hurt people you care about, even without meaning to. No one’s perfect. Good relationships are not about never messing up; they’re about what you do when you mess up. And how you move forward. If ‘Instinct’ proved anything is that the solid foundation of trust and love that Violet and Lizzie have can carry them past these problems and into an even closer relationship.
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HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE SAL VASQUEZ?
Vasquez is an interesting character because, at this point in the season, we like him well enough. He hasn’t quite replaced Carver, but we’ve gotten to the point where he doesn’t actually bother us. And sometimes, like in this episode, he actually adds to the storyline. The problem with him, of course, is that the show continues to tease a love triangle between him, Violet, and Lizzie that we do not want.
We probably would have liked Vasquez more as a straight love interest for Lizzie, which is where we thought this was going at first. The Violet thing came a little out of nowhere, and on the heels of Violet’s mountain of unresolved issues with Carver, it felt a little like the show grasping at straws. Throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. Particularly since they didn’t even continue the Lizzie storyline with Doctor Frost.
And now, here we are. We don’t hate Vasquez. But we really, really don’t want him in the middle of Violet and Lizzie because we care more about the two of them than we do about him, and we care about their relationship much more than we care about any possible connection for him. And honestly, we don’t see that changing.
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Things I think I think:
- Very on the nose, this speech at the beginning.
- Don’t do it, Lucy.
- “You kept something from me.”
- I’m really proud of Lizzie for saying something.
- “I would be lying if I said it didn’t hurt.”
- Men cannot be trusted, ever.
- Proud of both Violet and Lizzie for how they’re handling such a scary situation.
- Vasquez, I’ll give you this one. You are good for something.
- Violet and Lizzie having silent eye conversations, my heart.
- “It’s my job. I don’t get to decide who I help.”
- What a team Violet and Lizie make.
- Instinct, indeed.
- The plan was good! They almost had him!
- Fine, Vasquez, again… I’ll give you this one.
- But then he having a moment with both is sooo weird.
- “I’m so glad it was you down there with me.”
- Yes, this is the relationship that matters the most.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 18 ‘Instinct’? 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.
