Chicago Fire Season 15, Episode 3 ‘Take the Hit’ returns the focus to Cruz (Joe Miñoso) and once again gives the probies a pretty big storyline; it’s just that this one works a lot better than the last one because there are not just stakes, but consequences. There have to be, with a mistake this big.
The storyline with the probies was never just about the probies; it was also about Stella (Miranda Rae Mayo) as a training officer. And we know she’s got what it takes already; we’ve seen her with Girls on Fire. But those were girls who wanted to be there, and that came without a chip on their shoulder and a mistaken belief that they knew what they were doing.
In this case, she’s got the opposite. She’s got men who have acted like they think they’re above being corrected, and maybe even think they’re above being corrected by a woman. Well, at least one of them. It’s hard getting a read on the rest, though, because I’ve just been so annoyed by their existence. Are they just so cocky that they keep making mistakes? Are they actually bad at their job? Are they a test from above to see what Stella is made of? Whatever the answer, I’m not feeling like any of them should stay at this point, which is a problem considering we already know at least one will.
Burke (Da’Vinchi) gets some points for going to visit Tony (Anthony Ferraris) and for that last scene. But just because he wasn’t the bad guy in this scenario doesn’t mean he’s the good guy. I still need a lot more to get invested.
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GETTING UP AGAIN
We see from the beginning of the episode that Cruz is having a hard time. That part is, in many ways, understandable. Sure, Severide (Taylor Kinney) saved his pension. And sure, he’s got a pregnant wife who loves him, not to mention a family. But he also just suffered a devastating injury, and in moments like this one, it’s hard for your brain to focus on the good. In fact, it’s hard to even get your body to move.
Because he used to be a firefighter. A first responder. His life was helping people. And now, he’s the one who needs help. He’s the one who cannot get out of bed in the morning. That’s a blow not just physically, but mentally. And Chloe (Kristen Gutoskie) doesn’t know how to help; Herrmann (David Eigenberg) doesn’t know how to help; Violet (Hanako Greensmith) doesn’t know how to help.
And Cruz doesn’t really want help. Or at least, he doesn’t think he does. It’s hard to get out of that mentality of “now I’m no good to anyone,” and words like “your family needs you” don’t cut it. Even “your 51 family needs you too” didn’t really work. But proof that he can still be of help, that his experience and his knowledge are still valued, does seem to light a fire under Cruz.
He needed to find the right motivation for himself. Because he’s still got a long road ahead of him, and that’s the kind of road he has to walk for himself, not for his family or anyone else.
MORE: Read our review of the second episode of Season 15
WILL THEY OR WON’T THEY
The setup for Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente) and Lizzie (Jocelyn Hudon) has been rocky, to say the least. Their attraction was established first, and then seemingly out of nowhere, it seemed like the show was betting on Vasquez and Violet. But then, that died off, and now we’re back to Vasquez and Lizzie, except with a lot more baggage than they had at the beginning. Because now he slept with Lizzie’s best friend, and now, effectively, in Lizzie’s mind, rejected her.
What does Vasquez want? Because Lizzie made it pretty clear what she wanted in the Season 14 finale, and Vasquez didn’t follow up. But it doesn’t seem like Vasquez is uninterested. In fact, it seemed like he was pretty happy that the paper with that guy’s number was destroyed. And it’s not like he could have misunderstood Lizzie’s clear words both last season and in the premiere this season.
So, we’re left with fear, probably. He wants to be with her; he’s just scared of what that would look like and maybe even what he feels. Which is all fine and good; process your feelings and everything. But you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Particularly without using words. You cannot expect the girl to wait for you if you haven’t told the girl you even want her to wait for you.
It’s clear the show is betting on them as a couple, but right now, I’m having a hard time rooting for them. And that’s all on Vasquez. This ship is feeling very uneven right now, and until that changes, I’ll root for Lizzie to date whichever cute man she comes across.
MORE: What did Hanako Greensmith and Jocelyn Hudon have to say about their characters?
Things I think I think:
- I would be depressed too if I were Cruz.
- Your instincts are right, Herrmann.
- The moment these probies are doing well, they’re like: let’s mess it all up.
- Clear instructions that they will not follow.
- Now Tony?!
- Wow, you made eye contact with a pretty girl, and you’re shooting your shot. Men.
- Kelly and Stella as parents would probably be terrifying. Who’s the good cop?
- Probably Kelly, honestly.
- Why does Stella always end up babysitting adult men?
- Good friends do wellness checks, Cruz.
- He did call for Cruz. That’s kinda normal, too. Force of habit indeed.
- Herrmann is trying!
- It had to be nepo baby.
- “The question is, can we turn him around?”
- Asking Cruz was a really good idea, and the best part is Severide was being genuine.
- Karaoke hell.
- Violet, you genius. That thing with the mic was kind of amazing.
- Oh, that dude is there to advocate for nepo baby.
- Never using his name. Nepo baby it is. Burke got that one right.
- If you hadn’t gotten your family connections involved, you would still be at 51.
- “You have no idea who the hell you’re dealing with. This isn’t over.”
- I mean, I’m sure it isn’t. But that’s still the right call.
- Also, love that Severide didn’t let himself get intimidated and that Stella didn’t back down.
- Whoever doubted that these two would make a good team, even with Severide technically being Stella’s boss, has just not met them. They’ve always been a great team, bringing out the best in each other.
- Okay, look, Burke’s “all you need to know about me is that I’m still here and you’re not” was the most I’ve liked him.
- Two hundred and eighty-five?
- The things men will do to prove they don’t care.
- What do you mean you tried? When did you try? What’s your story? I want to know!
- “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
- Okay, is that a feeling I caught for Burke?
Are you excited for Chicago Fire Season 15, Episode 3 ‘Take the Hit’? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
