A lot of Chicago Fire Season 15 has been the show finding a new normal, and Episode 4 ‘A Perfect Arson’ is a great showcase of what the heart of the show is at this point, and why that works really well. Chicago Fire works better as an ensemble show, yes, and there will likely never be a point where that changes, considering the setup. But this is still the Stellaride show in many ways, and they’re a great part of what makes the series so good, fifteen seasons in.
Part of that is that they’ve been around for so long. Long-time procedurals are about comfort, and part of that comfort comes from following people’s stories from the beginning. It’s been over a decade for these characters individually, and we’ve followed their love story through a lot of ups and downs, saw them get married, and now get to see them be the kind of couple that investigates fires together.
And you know, the couple that investigates fires together stays together, or something.
But Stella (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly (Taylor Kinney)’s journey is far from over, and the show is at their best when it’s letting them move forward as a unit, even if that means taking a road trip outside of Firehouse 51.
MORE: What did Victor Teran tease about this season?
STELLA ISN’T JUST ALONG FOR THE RIDE
A lesser show would have made this storyline a kind of “bring your wife to work day.” Kelly is, after all, the one who has OFI experience, so it makes sense that he is the one people are reaching out to for an investigation such as this one. But Stella Kidd isn’t just the kind of wife who tags along and looks pretty (though she always looks amazing), and Kelly wouldn’t want her to be anyway.
Instead, she’s the one who jumps at the chance to help. And she’s the one who actually does, with good instincts and quick thinking. Severide might be a great fire cop, but Stella is a great firefighter, and she’s been around Kelly for a long time. Some things you pick up on. You know that saying about how you and your spouse start to become more alike with time? Well, that doesn’t only apply to the silly stuff.
This episode reveals a lot about who Kelly and Stella are, but it also sets up an intriguing possibility for the future. Solving this case takes Kelly’s arson knowledge, yes, but also Stella’s leadership. Could there be a Chicago Fire where Severide is, perhaps, not in charge of 51 but pursuing his real passion at OFI? And could that future see Stella as the one leading the Firehouse?
We’ve never doubted Stella’s leadership capabilities. We’ve also never doubted that Severide is a damn good fire cop. Does that mean that’s where the show is heading? Not necessarily. But in life, and in TV, things never stay static. And considering all the other big questions this episode sets up about Stellaride’s future, this is yet another wrinkle they’ll surely end up having to consider like they do everything else: together.
MORE: Read our review of Episode 3 of Season 15
THIS IS A TRUE PARTNERSHIP (MARRIAGE)
It’s only been four episodes, but if Chicago Fire has made anything clear in Season 15, it’s that Severide’s new position means a lot of changes for both Stella and Kelly. But that’s okay; the two are in it together. That’s been the message through everything Stellaride has faced for a while, anyway, but it’s even more true now. And Stella and Kelly have both reinforced this out loud.
But there’s something about this case that hits close to home, and it’s pretty obvious what that is. The one dangling plot thread for these two isn’t Kelly’s new job; it’s the question of whether they can or want to have a family. Because at one point, they agreed the answer was yes. But then they were hit, over and over again. They couldn’t adopt; Stella had a miscarriage. It was hit after hit, and throughout it all we never really explored Stella’s fears about even carrying a baby, or whether she was ready for a family.
This episode doesn’t answer all questions. In fact, it feels like it just gives us new ones. But it also feels like the show is finally acknowledging what those questions are. We’ve been at a standstill with this storyline for too long, and as much as it’s true that in real life sometimes we tend to avoid stuff we don’t know how to handle, this is the kind of thing that Stella and Kelly have to face. And it might mean knocking some skeletons from each of their own individual closets, particularly Stella, but sometimes you gotta leap if you want to get somewhere.
And the thing is, Stella has someone ready to hold her hand through the jump, no matter what.
MORE: What did Hanako Greensmith and Jocelyn Hudon have to say about their characters?
Things I think I think:
- I knew Severide was going to hate the admin part of this.
- Also, a Stellaride bottle episode is a dream for me.
- The lady at the end of the bar?
- Are we roleplaying now?
- Yeah, I’m not sure how you didn’t see her, either.
- “It helps I don’t have to do it alone.”
- The way Stella reacted when she heard there was a kid involved is telling.
- “Don’t worry, I’m still not used to hearing it.”
- “Your wife’s got good instincts.” She does.
- I’m glad people are calling Stella “one hell of a training officer.”
- Nah, Van Meter isn’t really mad. He’s just a little hurt. Did you even talk to him, Severide?
- “He was going to choose OFI.”
- Makes sense that he stayed after the Cruz thing.
- “If 51 needed a leader, he’s not the only one in that Firehouse.” Oooh, Van Meter. I like it. I like that it’s being said out loud.
- Always hilarious when Severide tries to do the cop part of fire cop, not gonna lie.
- Stella talking it through with Kelly and her finding the answer in the file? Brilliant.
- The couple that investigates fires together stays together indeed.
- Look, I love that Kelly never even dares suggest Stella stay behind. I really do.
- The way Stella looked when that kid jumped into her arms.
- “Be careful.”
- Severide always paying attention.
- “Kelly, baby.”
- “But I did see something in you that you haven’t seen in a while. Spark.”
- Stella is right; you can’t ignore what calls to you. How does that look for the show?
- I mean, I’m with Kelly. How are they gonna ignore that?!
- Love that Stella is still looking at it, too.
- Perfect couple.
- “Someone out there just committed a perfect arson. And they got what they wanted: a perfect adversary.”
- Oh, I actually like this for a long-running storyline for Kelly.
- Starting to warm up to the motorcycle, too.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Fire Season 15, Episode 4 ‘A Perfect Arson’? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
