Reviewer Rating: 4/5.0
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Now that we’re halfway through Chicago Fire Season 13, it’s time to rank some of the biggest moments so far.
A lot happens in the first eight episodes, but not all of it is as memorable as we’d hoped.
But overall, there was more excitement and drama than pause, and the season started with a bang. Let’s get started!
Best TV Series: Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4
I’ve always been upfront in admitting that Violet and Lizzie are my favorite characters.
So it’s no surprise that the best episode of the season so far focuses heavily on the two of them.
Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4 was filled with drama and tension, focusing on the Violet/Lizzie pairing.
After an impossible and dangerous decision is made during a phone call, Violet’s job is put in jeopardy and Lizzie does everything she can to help her partner.
This episode showed that the two of them have each other’s backs in more ways than we thought, and that fact will only strengthen as the season continues.
Worst Episode: Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7
While Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7 wasn’t inherently bad, it didn’t land the way we hoped it would.
Ideally, this episode could answer more questions about Pascal’s past.
Unfortunately, all it does is cause us more problems.
As a result, it feels like filler, which is fine – every episode can’t possibly be a mess with tons of plot points – but I rank this as the worst so far because it teases Lots of clarity, but it ultimately doesn’t deliver.
Most shocking moment: Lizzie loses her mind on the phone
Since her introduction in Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 9, paramedic Leila “Lizzie” Novak has been very capable at her job.
She has had some emotional moments, but for the most part, she has remained tight-lipped.
Until the fall finale of the season.
Finally, an episode centered on Lizzie gives us a look at her history – her parents died by suicide, leaving her with a lifetime of trauma and abandonment issues.
So when she and Violet get a call involving a suicide attempt, Lizzie kind of breaks down and screams pointlessly at the victim because she’s clearly confusing him with her loved one.
The scene itself is graphic and horrifying, with Lizzie’s breakdown after months of being stoic.
Biggest missed opportunity: Stellaride development
Last season, Seyfried confessed to Stella that he wanted to consider starting a family, which left us hanging on the fan-favorite couple.
Even though Chicago Fire Season 13 has aired a full eight episodes, the topic has only come up once since then.
Stella briefly mentioned that she wasn’t ready to be a mother, and Kelly responded that he wouldn’t pressure her, and the issue was dropped.
Aside from a few brief moments, the couple barely interacted at all during the season.
The show’s most beloved ship has had plenty of time to develop, but for some reason nothing happened in between.
Hopefully the second half of the season will bring more attention to Stellaride.
The Biggest Unanswered Question: The History of Chief Pascal
From the moment Dermot Mulroney was announced as the new cast member of “Chicago Fire,” I was almost overcome with excitement.
He’s been one of my favorite actors of all time, from My Best Friend’s Wedding to New Girl and everything in between, and I’m excited to see what he’ll bring to the show.
Don’t get me wrong; I do like the character, but Dom Pascal is still shrouded in mystery and difficult to decipher.
Whatever happened to him in Miami has been mentioned in vague terms many times, but there has been little clarification about what happened to Pascal back to Chicago.
The mystery will likely develop into something monumental when the show returns, so there’s plenty of time to get answers.
But heading into the hiatus, we’re as confused as ever about Pascal’s past.
Best New Character: Monica Pascal
KaDee Strickland joins the cast this season alongside Dermot Mulroney, who play spouses in a rather complicated marriage.
Honestly, the dynamic between Dom and Monica (Domika?) is hard to understand.
They tend to be very toxic to each other, and it’s almost like the pendulum swings to the extreme from episode to episode.
They are either extremely codependent and excited by each other’s toxic behavior, or they are filled with hatred and a vague desire for control.
Regardless, it usually ends with heat and sex, which is…something.
Best Ship: Violet and Flynn
Before the writers delivered the Violet and Lizzie romance that I hopelessly longed for, I was OK with Violet’s current relationship with Flynn.
Steven Strait plays Violet’s charming, attentive, and thoughtful new boyfriend, and things seem to be going well.
In fact, Violet’s colleagues had noticed a change in her behavior.
She’s softened a lot, leaning into sweet moments and romantic stories, even calling Flynn her boyfriend.
After everything she’s been through, it’s a beautiful thing to see Violet so happy.
Hopefully the news of Carver and Tori’s split won’t affect that.
Worst Ships: Carver and Tori
I don’t know anyone who likes the relationship between Carver and Tori.
In fact, the internet was abuzz with complaints about the pair every time they shared the screen Wednesday night.
It’s unfair to blame all of this on Tori because Carver was a willing participant in the whole mess.
But suffice it to say, we’re all glad it’s over.
Least developed ships: Ritter and Dwayne
With only one LGBTQ+ relationship on Chicago Fire, queer fans are begging for more representation from Ritter and Dwayne.
Aside from a few brief appearances by the police, we mostly only learn about the relationship through Ritter seeking advice from his friends.
Now that Dwayne wants to move in together, a fact we only know because Ritter complained about it at work, there’s some drama going on between them.
But knowing there’s drama going on off-screen isn’t the same as seeing the couple deal with their relationship.
Ritter is one of the most interesting (and underused) characters on the show, and his relationship with Dwayne would be a great way to further flesh out his character.
Funniest storyline: Mochi fights the birds
Mauch always brings comic relief to every episode of “Chicago Fire,” but this time he outdid himself.
I don’t think I could have predicted the “Mokey and Dove Have Beef” storyline of Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 6, but I’m glad it happened.
Most of the time, it’s funny and a bit over-the-top in a way, with Mochi fighting a bird he thinks is attacking him while Cap and Tony give him grief.
But as usual, when Mochi realized the bird was just trying to protect her eggs, she made a good decision.
The moment Mochi chose peace and became a surrogate dad to these eggs, I was reminded of how ridiculous and sweet this show is.
Chicago Fire Season 13 Midseason Grade: B
Overall, my grade for this season so far is a solid B.
It’s fun, tense, dramatic, and mysterious, and most of the characters are well-developed.
What are your thoughts? How would you rate the first half of the season?
If I missed any important moments, please let me know in the comments!
Chicago Fire returns Wednesday, January 8 at 9/8c on NBC.
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