Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
This most recent installment of Chicago Fire really got me right where it hurts, and the hits kept coming for the whole hour.
On Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 3, there were several intense storylines playing out parallel to one another.
We’re breaking down the episode from Severide’s arson investigation to the tension between Carver and Violet and everything in between.
Everybody Loves Love
Relationships were a big theme of the hour, and the episode kicked off with a quick Stellaride scene.
I was pretty confident that Stella wasn’t going to hold it against Kelly that he knew about what Damon did, but the confirmation was nice.
It was only a brief moment between the couple, but it was enough to remind us that they truly face things as a team.
The love I have for these two is surprising even to me, considering I was firmly anti-Stellaride until this season started.
But they really know how to hold each other up when needed, and they always have each other’s back.
We got to see Kelly jump at the chance to defend Stella, and we saw Stella give Kelly the pep talk he needed during a low moment. We love a supportive couple.
An Update on a Sinking Ship
There was some movement on the Carvolet front, but it wasn’t anything good.
At least, not for those of you who are still shipping those two. (Sorry, I’m firmly on Team Vizzie now.)
If Carver had stayed away with his weirdly possessive new girlfriend, we’d all be better off.
But instead, he brought Tori into a sacred space, and that gave her the confidence she needed to make vague threats at Violet.
I’m sorry, but Carver quite literally told Violet he was in love with her a few weeks ago.
I get that Tori is jealous, but maybe Carver is the person she should take that up with instead of deleting texts from his phone like a creep.
The Newcomer Capturing Our Hearts
Violet has long been my favorite Chicago Fire character, but Novak might be overtaking her by a hair.
Jocelyn Hudon’s performance every week is electric, and this latest episode was no exception.
Novak is new, but she wasted no time in weaving herself into 51.
It’s a good thing, truly. She’s shown up for Violet as a friend (and maybe more, eventually, if I’m lucky), and she’s incredible at her job.
Plus, it was clear by the look on her face when Tori started speaking at the bar that Novak’s loyalty is to Violet.
No matter what happens, my biggest hope for Lizzie is that whatever was brewing between Damon and her has fizzled out.
Guess Who’s Fired on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 3?
And speaking of Damon, can we all say a collective, “Thank you, Chief Pascal,” for making the call to send him packing?
Not that Pascal didn’t prove himself problematic throughout the episode (we’ll get to that), but at least we can get behind this decision.
There was a lot of speculation and fear leading up to the episode about who he would be firing, and thankfully, it wasn’t Stella.
Pascal is giving me misogynistic vibes, and he clearly has it out for Stella, but at least he took Mouch’s late-night confrontation to heart and fired the right person.
Damon was already on my list, but now, he’s dead to me.
How dare he tell Kelly that he’s just like Benny?!
First of all, Kelly has worked his ass off to be a man he (and Stella) could be proud of.
Secondly, Damon barely knows his half-brother.
At least if you’re going to insult someone, spend a minute getting to know them first.
Plus, how incredibly immature of Damon to be angry at Severide for having his wife’s back.
I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of Damon, but his presence won’t be missed around the firehouse.
Maybe this means Cruz can rest a little easier now, too, since he had big concerns during Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 1 about Kelly and Damon working together.
Pascal Continues to be a Mystery and Ritter Faces Death
Pascal has some incredibly toxic personal issues, by the way, and I can’t wait to find out more about his backstory.
His wife seems to be turned on by violent displays of toxic masculinity, so I guess that’s … good for them?
I’m willing to bet that we’ll get a Pascal-centric episode soon that will shed some light on his and Monica’s history (and whatever happened in Miami).
The biggest event of the episode was Ritter’s brush with death, and when I tell you I was worried, I mean it.
The hit he took was a massive one, and as Violet and Lizzie tended to him, he flopped around lifelessly.
I’ve said before how much Ritter’s character means to the OneChicago universe, especially for LGBTQ+ representation, so it would have been devastating to lose him.
Thankfully, Ritter made a fast recovery, and we even got a hospital room scene with Dwayne, Violet, and Lizzie.
I love the idea of the four of them having a friendship outside of work, and I hope the writers dig into that more!
More Wholesome Masculinity on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 3
Also, I can’t forget how sweet Herrmann was surrounding the whole scare with Ritter.
Herrmann loves Ritter so much, and it was evident in several emotional displays throughout this episode.
It was also incredibly special to see him share his feelings about Dwayne, ultimately giving him the seal of approval and telling Ritter not to mess up that relationship.
One of my favorite things about this show has always been the wholesome masculinity expressed by some of the “manliest” men in the firehouse.
So far this season, Herrmann and Mouch are doing a wonderful job of keeping that alive.
Pascal may be a different story, but time will tell.
It was a four-star episode for me this time, but I want to hear your thoughts!
Was Pascal swayed by Mouch’s visit, or does he have something sinister planned for Stella?
Let’s chat in the comments! I’ll see you next Wednesday at 9/8c for a brand new Chicago Fire on NBC.
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