Chicago Fire Season 15, Episode 1 ‘New Blood’ is an emotional episode, one that solves the emergency from the Season 14 finale in a way that feels somewhat predictable, but that is still preferable to the alternative. The hour hits several emotional beats and never really drags, a good sign for a season premiere. But there are some warning signs in the things the hour sets up that make us wary for what’s coming.
When news got out that Joe Miñoso was leaving, I figured something would happen to Cruz during the call. I didn’t really expect the show to kill him off, but that possibility could never be discounted, all things considered. Instead, the show chose Option B on the list of horrible things that could happen to Cruz, and though part of me understands the decision, another part of me wishes he could have just ridden off into the sunset somewhere, to be a dad.
Of course, that’s not who Joe Cruz is. Sometimes, when you establish a character like Cruz, you end up trapped in a little box of your own making. Because Cruz could have quit being a firefighter before, and never did. Why would he now? The answer is simple. He wouldn’t. So, if the show wanted to write him out, they had to find another way.
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME
What the hour does well, as hard as it is to see, is establish how everyone is reacting around Cruz, in perhaps not the best way. Herrmann is being super helpful but refusing to actually see Joe, and Severide becomes obsessed with proving Cruz was not at fault. All of those things are good for Cruz, but at specific times they are also not what Cruz really needs from them. And that’s understandable, in a way. Grief is weird like that. Guilt is weird like that.
And yes, what everyone in Firehouse 51 and Joe himself are experiencing is grief. He suffered a loss, even if he didn’t lose his life. Firehouse 51 suffered a loss. And we all deal with that as best we can, and sometimes, that isn’t exactly what the person we should be focusing on needs. But by the end of the hour, Severide has found a way to save Cruz’s pension, and Herrmann finally visited, so baby steps forward.
Of course, that’s when we get the devastating news from Cruz. He might never walk again, and even if he does, he will never be a firefighter. That’s not what anyone wants to hear, and it’ll certainly not do anything to assuage Herman’s guilt or Severide’s.
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SHOULD I CARE ABOUT THE NEW PEOPLE?
It’s been one episode, and I’ll give credit where credit is due; the show has managed to make me like a lot of their newer characters after a while. But I’m not sure I was as predisposed to not like someone as much as I’m predisposed against the new probies after what happened in this episode. They all annoy me as a group, and I’ve not seen enough of them separately to even begin to care. In fact, I had to look up their names because even after watching the episode a couple of times, I could not remember.
Clearly, whatever happens next, we’re going to keep at least Burke. But for that to feel like a win and not just another body the show is throwing into this very empty firehouse, they’ve gotta give me something that isn’t petty fights and smiling at Lizzie. And that better start with these men respecting Stella Kidd the way she deserves, otherwise they’re never going to get on my good side.
CONFLICT IS HEALTHY (SOMETIMES)
The episode spends a lot of time with Stellaride, as it should because they have without a doubt the most intriguing dynamic at this point, but it also sets up a little bit of conflict between them that feels different from what we’ve had before. This isn’t them not seeing eye to eye on something big, like having a family; these are little squabbles that come with adjusting to a new role and a new dynamic. And in general, I don’t mind that.
Kelly and Stella have proven these are things they can tackle and get through. And conflict isn’t inherently bad. We don’t need them to agree all the time; we just need them to keep working on communicating and move forward together at every point, and that is also something that was reinforced together. Whatever happens, they’re going to move forward together.
I sense we’re going to be exploring more of this conflict, but I’m not worried we’re in for a breakup or a pause or anything like that. If anything, I’m worried that some storylines are being put off for too long. That includes the family they want. Sure, maybe the season premiere was too soon for a pregnancy, but it feels like we’re at least overdue for a real examination by Stella of how she felt about her miscarriage.
That’s the thing I want to see the most, and that I hope doesn’t get lost in whatever the show is going to throw her way this season. We still need to examine what Stella wants and how that intersects with what Kelly wants. And for that, we’re going to have to revisit some of the things these two put on a shelf, dust them off, and finally address them.
Things I think I think:
- I love when Pascal was trying to give orders, and Stella was like hell, no. That’s her husband in there.
- “Respectfully, you’re not the Chief anymore. It’s my call. We’re going in.”
- Cruz really did save those people.
- I thought he was a goner for a good bit of that montage, okay?
- Severide giving midlife crisis.
- Vasquez, you so obsessed with cops you now sleeping with one?
- Is that…your mom, Violet?
- Chloe broke me.
- Mouch broke me too.
- Actually, Stella as a trainer makes all the sense.
- Dean, it’s good to see you.
- Offf, a fractured spine.
- “Captain Severide. The guy’s a legend.” I mean, HE IS.
- These candidates are the worst bunch I’ve ever seen, truly.
- Okay, so Vasquez is sleeping with someone else because he… doesn’t want something serious? But he’s still flirting?
- There are weird vibes!
- Look, I don’t hate that Isaiah’s mom changed his mind and Kelly and Stella are not going to adopt him, because I think the show has set up them having a family a different way. But that came out of left field.
- Yeah, I think they’re testing you too, Stella.
- We start with communication, love it.
- “That is you now, Captain.”
- Obvs no comment to journalists.
- I like that Stella still pushes back against her husband but respects her Captain. This new dynamic is going to be an adjustment, but they’ve go this.
- Violet, this guy doesn’t look like he went to high school with you.
- Herrmann, you’re so obvious in your avoidance.
- “They think I killed those people.”
- Guilt is going around.
- “I’ve got nothing to apologize for.”
- Sure, Vasquez.
- Fire cop Severide is back! It’s just that he’s now the Captain, so that’s concerning.
- I thought for sure Kelly was too distracted to pay attention to Stella, but apparently he can multitask.
- Color me shocked, I agree with Pascal.
- “They’re not just your consequences anymore, Captain.”
- “No doubt you’re capable, Kelly. But you also have to be willing.”
- You know who we need to bring back at some point this season? Boden.
- One assessment as a group, okay Stella. Okay. I like it.
- Vasquez what in the world do you want?
- Am I supposed to like journalist dude?
- You gonna listen to your wife, Kelly?
- “You can’t be afraid to evolve, either.”
- “We’ve got a lot more weight to carry now. But we got this.”
- “I’m never gonna be a firefighter again.”
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 15, Episode 1 ‘New Blood’? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
