Changes are coming to Firehouse 51 in the wake of the events of the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, but on the other hand, many things are

staying the same. The NBC procedural drama’s 13th season has featured numerous highs and multiple lows. From the introduction of Chief

Boden’s replacement (Dom Pascal) in the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere to the will-they/won’t-they relationship between Violet Mikami

 

 

and Sam Carver, it’s safe to say that the season is jam-packed with drama and conflict. Still, many characters get happy endings in the

finale.

Following the attempted murder of the man who killed Pascal’s wife in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 21, Firehouse 51’s chief is in the hot seat in episode 22, “It Had to End This Way.” The evidence against Pascal starts building up, and it seems he’s going down for the crime. Elsewhere in the finale, Carver shocks Violet with life-changing news, Christopher Herrmann struggles with his pursuit of being a chief, and Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd’s relationship changes forever.

 

 

Over the course of the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, Severide tries his best to clear Pascal’s name. The two didn’t exactly get off to the best start. Over time, though, Severide has come to appreciate and respect his chief, and vice versa, which is why he rides so hard for Pascal in “It Had to End This Way.” At first, Severide is confident that someone from Pascal’s past (a mob boss named Hendricks whom Pascal attempted to implicate in Miami) is framing him. By the hour’s end, we all learn that the answer is much simpler.

Severide and Pascal discover Lieutenant Vale is the one who tried to murder Monica’s killer in Chicago Fire season 13. Over time, Vale became obsessed with Monica (although she turned him down). He was almost as heartbroken as Pascal when Monica died. Consequently, Vale wanted revenge. He almost gets away with it, too, if it isn’t for Pascal discovering texts from Vale to Monica and if Severide isn’t the great arson investigator he is. In the end, Severide proves Pascal is innocent. This strengthens their bond, which has been one of the most interesting developments in season 13.

Weeks before the finale, it was announced that two series regulars would be leaving Chicago Fire after season 13 — Jake Lockett (who plays Carver) and Daniel Kyri (who plays Darren Ritter). So, many assumed that the finale would properly write out Carver and Ritter. However, that wasn’t exactly the case. In Chicago Fire season 13, episode 22, Violet finally gives Carver the letter (which details her feelings for him) she wrote to him weeks ago. Unfortunately, it comes a little too late as Carver has already decided to leave Chicago and transfer to the Denver Fire Department.

Carver explains to Violet that he feels like he needs a new start to maintain his sobriety. Of course, Violet understands, but she’s also visibly heartbroken by the news. Her reaction thrusts Carver into a dilemma. He has strong feelings for Violet, too, but he also needs to prioritize his health. By the end of the Chicago Fire season finale, Carver throws caution to the wind and waits for Violet outside her apartment. Once she arrives, he immediately kisses her and tells her he loves her. Violet reciprocates his declaration, and the episode concludes with them blissfully kissing.

After Violet and Carver exchange “I love you’s,” it’s unclear where Carver’s story goes from here. Yes, he’s supposed to be leaving. However, the finale ends with Violet and Carver finally giving in to their Chicago Fire romance. Based on that last scene, it feels like Jake Lockett’s character isn’t going anywhere, even though we logically know he likely isn’t staying. Perhaps Lockett can still return as a recurring character, which would explain Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman’s hesitance to confirm or deny that Carver or Ritter would appear in season 14.

The question of whether Herrmann takes over Pascal’s Firehouse 51 chief spot lingers throughout the Chicago Fire season 13 finale. If Herrmann were to take the chief’s test and pass, he would probably become the new chief. If not, Pascal would stay (given he wasn’t arrested). However, Herrmann makes the predicament easy for everyone, as many have grown to love Pascal as their chief, by not taking the exam.

The Chicago Fire season 13 finale also doesn’t explain how Ritter will be exiting the series, evidently leaving that reveal for the season 14 premiere.

Based on the veteran firefighter’s consistent hesitance throughout this latest venture, it doesn’t come as too much of a surprise when Herrmann decides not to go through with the plan. It is shocking, though, when he takes a demotion so that Mouch can take over as Engine 51’s lieutenant. Herrmann loves his friend and wants the best for him. And he’s willing to sacrifice his career so that Mouch can get what he wants. Herrmann isn’t meant to sit behind a desk anyway, as he points out at the end of Chicago Fire season 13, episode 22.

Severide and Kidd’s biggest story in Chicago Fire season 13 revolves around their desire to start a family. At the beginning, they decided to adopt. Sadly, their adoption of a newborn baby fell through at the last minute when the biological mother changed her mind about keeping her child. Then, Severide and Kidd take in Natalie, a teenager whose family Kidd rescued from a fire a decade ago.

In the finale, Kidd successfully reunites Natalie with her sister, Julia, indicating that the couple wouldn’t officially adopt the teenager like many theorized they would. While this might’ve disappointed some viewers who wanted to see Severide and Kidd as parents, the episode quickly fixes that heartbreak when Kidd shows Severide a positive pregnancy test. Stellaride are having a baby! This once seemed like a pipe dream, and now, fans will get to watch the couple navigate this next stage of their life in season 14. Knowing Chicago Fire, Severide and Kidd’s next journey is sure to come with speed bumps.