Chicago Fire hasn’t prided itself on its realism, but in season 14, the show is starting to mirror reality, and that surprisingly isn’t a positive.

Perhaps some viewers have wanted the NBC procedural drama to be more realistic in its storytelling. Meanwhile, others have clamored for

more impractical (yet entertaining) plots. What we’re getting now is more true to life than ever, though.

 

 

The One Chicago universe is a fictional universe, meaning that it’s bound to stretch the truth for the sake of entertainment. The majority of what happens in Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med is improbable, but if it weren’t, the franchise wouldn’t be as successful as it is. Unfortunately, Chicago Fire season 14 is turning the tide with its realistic major conflict.

 

 

Now, the CFD plans on laying off battalion chiefs. Chief Pascal is in the clear at the moment (but that might change with his refusal to go on a date with the mayor’s chief of staff). Ultimately, the Chicago Fire characters are facing a period of uncertainty in season 14, which is similar to what the cast and crew are experiencing in real life.

 

 

The brownouts in Chicago Fire season 14 are reminiscent of NBC’s own recent cost-cutting measures. As many will recall, said budget cuts resulted in the exits of Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett, who played Darren Ritter and Sam Carver, respectively, in 2025. Carver left after the season 13 finale, while Ritter said goodbye to the procedural drama in season 14’s second episode.

 

 

The writers are taking inspiration from real life to build Chicago Fire season 14’s story. However, it’s only a reminder of how much the show has lost. Ritter and Carver’s departures were heartbreaking, and the brownouts keep that disappointment at the forefront of the audience’s minds. Chicago Fire season 14’s conflict is simply hitting too close to home, making it difficult to watch.

Chicago Fire hasn’t prided itself on its realism, but in season 14, the show is starting to mirror reality, and that surprisingly isn’t a positive. Perhaps some viewers have wanted the NBC procedural drama to be more realistic in its storytelling. Meanwhile, others have clamored for more impractical (yet entertaining) plots. What we’re getting now is more true to life than ever, though.

The One Chicago universe is a fictional universe, meaning that it’s bound to stretch the truth for the sake of entertainment. The majority of what happens in Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med is improbable, but if it weren’t, the franchise wouldn’t be as successful as it is. Unfortunately, Chicago Fire season 14 is turning the tide with its realistic major conflict.

Now, the CFD plans on laying off battalion chiefs. Chief Pascal is in the clear at the moment (but that might change with his refusal to go on a date with the mayor’s chief of staff). Ultimately, the Chicago Fire characters are facing a period of uncertainty in season 14, which is similar to what the cast and crew are experiencing in real life.

The brownouts in Chicago Fire season 14 are reminiscent of NBC’s own recent cost-cutting measures. As many will recall, said budget cuts resulted in the exits of Daniel Kyri and Jake Lockett, who played Darren Ritter and Sam Carver, respectively, in 2025. Carver left after the season 13 finale, while Ritter said goodbye to the procedural drama in season 14’s second episode.

The writers are taking inspiration from real life to build Chicago Fire season 14’s story. However, it’s only a reminder of how much the show has lost. Ritter and Carver’s departures were heartbreaking, and the brownouts keep that disappointment at the forefront of the audience’s minds. Chicago Fire season 14’s conflict is simply hitting too close to home, making it difficult to watch.