Reviewer Rating: 5/5.0
5
Now that we have a confirmation of what’s in store for the new season, Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4 proved that the writers left no stone unturned.
It’s a tense hour, much of which revolves around Violet and Lizzie.
Hey, I’m not complaining!
Violet and Lizzie do the impossible on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4
This relatively new but definitely dynamic duo captured hearts in Lizzie’s debut on Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 9.
Of course, Violet is a veteran of the show and we’ve always loved her.
But her collaboration with Novak was something special, inspiring fans to create their new favorite ship, the Vizzie.
The latest episode only added fuel to the fire among Vizzie shippers.
Starting with the devastating case at the beginning of the episode, Violet and Lizzie have several moments where they resonate.
After realizing they can’t save the patient and the medical staff learn she’s pregnant, Violet must make an impossible decision.
After watching “Grey’s Anatomy” for twenty years, I reorganized the medical knowledge of this case and remembered that once the mother dies, the fetus can only survive for five minutes and cannot be delivered.
(Don’t quote me on that; my medical knowledge is based on the aforementioned two decades of watching medical dramas.)
Violet and Lizzie both knew exactly how serious the situation was.
With what little surgical experience she had, Violet opted to have an emergency C-section to try to save the baby.
She knows it could end her career, and so does Novak—but it’s not enough to convince Lizzie to let Violet handle the situation on her own.
Hanako Greensmith and Jocelyn Hudon’s performances in this scene are incredible.
Lizzie and Violet’s fear and determination can be felt across the screen.
Miraculously, as we collectively waited with bated breath for the first cry, the baby survived.
To my surprise, despite making an incredible save in impossible circumstances, Violet’s license was docked by everyone’s least favorite paramedic, Captain Robinson.
Why did everyone suddenly become so nice?
Robinson is likely still bitter after Boden got the promotion she wanted on Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 13, so that’s not all That It’s ridiculous to think she might win by 51 points.
But that’s when things get a little weird.
At one point between Violet and Robinson, the Chief tells her that she did the right thing, even if it wasn’t the “right” thing.
Just when I decided I hated Chief Pascal (despite my undying love for Dermot Mulroney), he also went out of his way to help Violet keep her job.
In order to help Violet, Pascal is even willing to put himself in a vulnerable position and apologize to Viole for hitting him.
What the hell is going on with this guy?
I was determined to love him when he first showed up at the beginning of the season.
My confidence in him dropped significantly as he started revealing more of himself, including his violet tendencies and vaguely misogynistic comments about Stella.
So, is there something shady that’s driving him to help Violet, or is this the beginning of a redemption arc?
Stella and serious siblings
Stella also shines this week, with both an incredible rescue and a tense race to replace Damon.
She also spent some time convincing Seyfried to have a relationship with his brother.
After everything Damon had done, Stella very graciously suggested that Seyfried try to repair their relationship.
Kelly is a kind, loving man who is nothing like his father, but that’s just what he does.
While I wasn’t impressed by Damon’s apology, I can’t blame Severide for showing up for him.
It’s certainly more than Damon deserves, but I guess there’s room for more than one redemption arc.
friendships and relationships
While Stella stresses about filling Damon’s spot on the truck, Mochi and Herman are busy working on a solution.
Speaking of these two, the scene between Mauch and Herman in this episode is a perfect example of the purity of Chicago Fire friendship.
These guys have a shorthand for each other, and whether they’re having a silly conversation or a serious one, their affection for each other is palpable.
Oh, what’s their solution?
Little!
I’ve said before how much I love Ritter, and bringing him closer to filling Damon’s shoes is the perfect way for the writers to make sure he gets more screen time this season.
Hopefully we’ll also see more of his relationship with Chicago Police Chief Dwayne.
I also enjoyed more scenes between Ritter, Violet, and Lizzie.
The three of them collided organically, forming a trio that anyone would want to be a part of.
I guess I have to bring up Carver and Tori, even though I wish both of them would disappear.
The episode opens with the couple sharing a scene where there could be trouble in paradise.
It looked like Torrey was planning to stay in Chicago for a while and Carver wasn’t ready for that level of commitment.
Violet Concludes Carver Chapter of Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4
sad. pray.
Anyway.
Violet takes a brief moment to apologize to Carver for losing her temper with Tori (which she doesn’t deserve, if you ask me), and it feels like a real goodbye.
If Violet left Carver forever, you wouldn’t see me crying over it.
Even ignoring my commitment to Viz’s ship, I ultimately just want Violet to be happy.
Carver lost his chance to make that happen, and Violet deserves better.
Chicago Fire loves redemption arc
It’s a meaty episode, branded with Chicago Fire, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
If I learned anything from this series, it’s that people are capable of change.
Does this mean I’m ready to forgive Damon for the way he treated Stella and Kelly, or the way Pascal talked to Stella?
No, not even close.
But I’m willing to keep an open mind about these characters because I know the producers of “Chicago Fire” know how to present believable redemption arcs.
That said, it took a fair amount of groveling before I was ready to let go.
Odds and Ends of Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4
- Cruz’s meticulous attempts to recover Harvey’s bike are admirable, including his willingness to steal the bike back. At least, until we learn that he just mugged some random kid. Classic.
- Stella’s hair in the scene at Molly’s house deserves an Emmy.
- That’s almost a hat trick for Chicago’s No. 1! Goodwin (Chicago Med) makes a brief appearance on us and mentions Trudy (Chicago P.D.)!
- The C-section scene is more graphic than “Chicago Fire” usually is, and it’s a great reminder of why I became a writer rather than a surgeon.
Overall, it was a great way to spend an hour.
I gave it five stars this week because I loved the Wiz-centric episodes so much. And you?
Let me know what you think in the comments!
Don’t miss Chicago Fire every Wednesday at 9/8c on NBC.
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