It feels like the season just started, and it’s already time for Chicago Fire‘s midseason break. What is time, anyway?

Overall, the episode was enjoyable, a little stressful, and we finally got a morsel of insight into both Pascal and Lizzie’s characters after months of waiting.

Where in the world is Kelly Severide?

Notably, one main Chicago Fire character was missing this week.

Stellaride fans hoped for a sweet moment between Kelly and Stella to hold us over during the winter break. Sadly, Severide made no appearance.

The script explained away his absence with a casual mention of travel, but it still felt odd for him to be excluded from an episode as significant as the midseason finale.

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We won’t have to wait long for his return — he’s in the promo for the next episode airing in January.

It’s also not the first time we’ve gone an episode (or more) without Severide.

Still, the 51 isn’t the same without him.

The Lizzie-Centric We’ve Been Waiting For

I’ve made no secret of the fact that Lizzie Novak is my favorite character on the show, and this week was a bit of a treat.

From the opening scene, the episode centered Lizzie in a way she hasn’t been before.

It gave Jocelyn Hudon a chance to flex a little, and flex she did.

In a couple of emotional scenes, Lizzie’s walls started to come down, and we finally learned a little about where she came from.

Based on her reaction to a call, it’s assumed that one of her parents died by suicide when she was a child. Obviously, she’s still carrying a ton of trauma as a result.

The call in question was graphic, and social media circles are already buzzing about whether the network handled it appropriately.

Should Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8 Have Included a Trigger Warning?

A trigger warning was not given to prep viewers for the graphic depiction of a suicide attempt that was shown midway through the episode. That was … a choice.

I’m a firm advocate for telling stories of mental health and suicide on television. However, I think viewers deserve a heads-up before they’re thrust into a scene so graphic.

Trigger warnings are easy to add, and they offer folks the opportunity to make an informed decision about the media they’re consuming.

Unfortunately, this particular scene came without any warning, presumably in a bid to have the audience feel a bit like Lizzie did when the door opened.

It was abrupt and clearly triggering for her, as evidenced by the way she shouted at the victim.

I wish the network had handled that with a little more care, but I have to give Jocelyn Hudon her flowers. She portrayed a trauma response incredibly realistically, and I felt my heart break watching her unravel.

Pascal, Exposed

After months of waiting, we finally got to see a little more of Pascal’s personal life. I now have a lot to chew on about this character.

I’ve been hot and cold about him all season long, I know.

In my defense, Pascal himself has been pretty hot and cold, and I could never quite get a feel for who he was as a person and as a chief.

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After half a season spent oscillating between being wildly distrustful of the mysterious newcomer and hopelessly in love with him, I think this episode finally gave me the clarity I was looking for.

While there’s still a lot unsaid about his past, his history in Miami, and his relationship with his wife, we saw a new, more vulnerable side of Pascal in the fall finale.

He took the time to encourage Lizzie when she clearly needed it, allowed Fridge to hang around the station until the dog could go home to his owner, and offered Monica an olive branch after an argument.

Pascal is a Complex, Human Character

Each of those moments, soft and uncertain in their delivery, proved that Pascal is inherently a good person.

Whatever has happened to him has turned him into someone who is afraid to let people in, even his own wife.

That seems like a sensible enough explanation for why so many of his actions so far have seemed a little shady, so I’ve decided to operate under the assumption that Pascal just needs some time to warm up so he can thaw.

That said, his relationship with Monica leaves something to be desired. It’s a constant source of confusion for me when they’re on screen.

Our first glimpse of the couple showed Monica throwing Dom’s clothes out of the house. Now, eight episodes in, she tells him she doesn’t like being without him.

It baffles me that two people can be simultaneously codependent and emotionally distant, but these two pull it off.

The Past Comes Back to Haunt Cruz

Cruz took center stage for a good portion of the hour, and it wasn’t as fun as when he accidentally stole a bicycle from a child.

Receiving threats of any kind? Objectively awful.

Receiving threats in the form of hollow bullet pendants filled with cremated human remains? Well, that’s downright ominous.

Naturally, it all came to a head quickly. Cruz was confronted with a horrifying explanation that was scarier than expected.

You may remember Cruz’s decision not to rescue Flaco Rodriguez, the leader of a dangerous gang called the Insane Kings, from way back on Chicago Fire Season 1 Episode 10.

It was a loaded decision, but he did what he felt he had to do for the greater good, and no one can blame him for that.

Except, maybe, for Flaco’s cousin.

Leon showed up at the station to tell Cruz that Junior, Flaco’s cousin and fellow member of the Insane Kings, is out of prison.

They don’t have confirmation that they’re in danger at first, but when Cruz is followed into a church by the man himself, the proof is laid bare.

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The episode ends on a cliffhanger; Cruz stands in front of Junior looking terrified while Junior looks hell-bent on revenge.

I’ll be honest; I was waiting for a gunshot to close out the episode, but it never came.

It was still a harrowing scene, and it set Cruz up for a compelling storyline when the show returns next year.

Bits and Bobs from Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8

• Ritter’s anxiety about moving in with Dwayne is totally justified, but I do hope those two are able to meet each other in a compromise somehow.
• I’m pretty sure Fridge was inserted as a plot device for two reasons: one, to soften our opinions of Carver after he’s been insufferable all season, and two, so he had an in to reveal that he and Tori finally split.
• Mouch and Herrmann being grumpy old men and having a grumpy old friendship will always be so special to me. Mouch’s Certs made me think of my late grandfather — they’ve been “old man” mints for decades.
• I’ve gone over it and over it, and I cannot come up with a reasonable explanation for Pascal preparing only one steak (what about Monica?) and choosing to bake it in the oven.
• Violet’s choice to blow off a date without a second of hesitation in order to be there for Lizzy proved, once again, how incredible Chicago Fire’s friendships are.
• I missed seeing Steven Strait in this episode, but the Violet/Lizzie moment was worth it.

As usual, a lot happened in this episode, and now we have to wait a painful seven weeks before Chicago Fire is back with a new installment.

For now, hit the comments with all your thoughts and theories so we can chat about the episode!

There’s time to binge the entire series if you’re due for a rewatch, and it might just be a good idea since the writers are bringing back storylines from so long ago.

Chicago Fire will return on Wednesday, January 8, at 9/8c on NBC.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 8 Review: Quicksand appeared first on TV Fanatic.

We still don’t know what happened with Pascal in Miami, Lizzie’s emotions about her new passion project suggest that it might be more personal than she’s letting on, and the ongoing dirty cop storyline isn’t exactly resolved.

But we did get quite a few good character scenes, and no matter what is going on, this show always does those well.

Unfortunately, this episode — much like the last few — started with a Carver/Tori scene.

It’s no secret that this particular relationship didn’t exactly resonate with fans, but I don’t think it was ever supposed to.

We now know that the relationship started as a result of a trauma bond, which might explain the toxicity between Carver and Tori.

Obviously, Carver has been going through it since Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 13, when he dropped an “I love you” bomb on Violet and then left the state. Classic.

To his credit, Stella’s stern lecture seems to have sunk in, and now he’s focused on work.

At least, he’s trying to be.

By the end of the hour, Tori’s things were cleared out of Carver’s closet and a proverbial nail was driven into the Carver/Tori coffin.

But why Carver stuck it out for as long as he did, even while the relationship was clearly impacting his career, will forever remain a mystery.

In other relationship news, Violet finally let her guard down with Flynn in this episode!

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Of course, in true Violet fashion, she did it in an awkward and potentially inappropriate way, but hey.

We’re proud of our girl for putting her cards on the table.

Attending a funeral together as a date may be a little strange, but trauma-dumping about your ex dying in front of you on a date is a little strange, too.

Maybe Flynn and Violet really are a great match.

To nobody’s surprise, the episode was filled to the brim with examples of why Chicago Fire’s friendships are some of the best on TV.

Cruz and Ritter both took time to encourage Mouch, who spent the hour stressing about his upcoming lieutenant’s exam.

Cruz missed the mark a bit, sure, but by the end of the episode he’d figured out what Mouch needed to hear from him.

Violet stood by Lizzie and offered support and encouragement as she fought through red tape to bring a whole blood program to the ambo.

Even Severide and Pascal bounced off each other while working their way through an ongoing arson investigation.

Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t know if I trust Pascal.

But I can’t deny that he and Severide are getting closer.

Severide is a great guy and a good friend, but the fact that he was willing to stay late at work to help Pascal with paperwork is pretty meaningful.

My concern is that Pascal has something shady up his sleeve, and wants to keep Severide close because he knows that’s his best chance of flying under the radar.

Not to be a total conspiracy theorist, but what if that leads to Severide getting hurt somehow?

With the Stellaride baby topic still simmering on the back burner, a near-death experience for Kelly would make for a dramatic storyline leading into a pregnancy.

Given all the curveballs this show has thrown at us over the years, it wouldn’t even be the most shocking thing to happen to a happy couple.

As for the case itself, it almost looked like a resolution was on its way.

Multi-episode storylines are relatively rare for Chicago Fire, so I can’t say I expected the Bishop-dirty-cop thing to last this long.

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Bishop may be on his way to jail for now, and Pascal seems to think that is good news for his family (and Severide’s), but something is missing.

There’s no chance Bishop doesn’t have multiple people working behind the scenes, so his absence doesn’t mean much to me.

You don’t make the kind of threats that Bishop made, especially to people you know are well connected, if you can’t follow through with them.

If anything, Pascal’s confidence that Bishop can’t hurt anyone anymore raises my hackles even more.

Exactly what is our mysterious new chief hiding?

What happened in Miami, Pascal?!

Here’s hoping we get a flashback episode at some point, because I’m going to need more than just a quick explanation after all this buildup.

Bits and Bobs

• Stella has been putting on her hardass hat more often lately, and I love watching her put the men of 51 in their place when they’re fooling around.
• Lizzie’s ponytail will always be iconic, and we got to see her let her hair down in this episode. Turns out, she’s just gorgeous either way.
• Why exactly does Severide have cigars stashed in his locker?

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• I will never get tired of seeing my favorite bestie trio in scenes together. Lizzie, Violet, and Ritter, you will always be famous.
• Do the powers that be know that they are criminally underutilizing KaDee Strickland?
• Ritter having Chicago P.D.‘s Dwayne saved as “hot cop” in his phone until things got serious is honestly such a vibe.

Next week’s episode promises to be another action-and-drama-packed hour, so don’t miss it!

Given that it will be the last episode before a lengthy winter hiatus, we can probably bank on a cliffhanger or two.

In the meantime, let’s talk — let me know what you thought about the episode in the comments, and rate it below!

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 7 Review: Untouchable appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It felt revolutionary — no waiting, no commercials (for the most part), just pure, uninterrupted entertainment.

But fast forward to today, and that once-exciting binge culture is starting to wear thin.

These days, a streaming marathon doesn’t feel quite as satisfying; instead, it leaves many of us feeling drained, detached, and oddly empty.

Welcome to the digital binge hangover.

The High of Binge-Watching — And Why It Fizzles So Quickly

Binge-watching used to be thrilling.

Back in the day, watching an entire season of Orange is the New Black or Stranger Things felt like striking gold.

You’d lose yourself for hours, maybe even an entire weekend, living and breathing that show.

But here’s the catch: once the last episode ended, that initial thrill faded fast, leaving us scrambling for the next series to binge.

We went from savoring each episode like a fine wine to chugging content like cheap beer.

Sure, watching an entire season in one sitting offers instant gratification, but it also pulls us away from what made TV such a powerful medium in the first place: a slow-burn investment in characters and storylines that unfold over time.

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It’s that anticipation between episodes that adds to the magic, giving us time to let scenes sink in, speculate about what’s next, and actually look forward to the next installment.

With binge culture, once it’s over, it’s over — you’re on to the next show with no time to connect or reflect.

Shows with just six or ten episodes a season, like Slow Horses (one of my current favorites), are exciting but fleeting.

Following a typical novel structure, each season is paced for a quick punch, not a deep dive.

These shows can be thrilling as hell, but they’re missing that depth of character development you get from long-running series.

There’s no space to get attached (even though you sometimes do, you’re left wanting more).

And there is no room for the kind of slow-burn arcs that make characters like Gibbs from NCIS or Olivia Benson from Law & Order: SVU so memorable.

You’re in, you’re out, and the connection doesn’t have time to form.

Take a show like The Blacklist.

With hundreds of episodes, fans can binge it on streaming, but they also had the option of following it week by week as it aired, theorizing, savoring, and letting the story breathe.

Fans could talk for days (and still do) about Elizabeth Keen, Tom’s untimely departure (yes, I’m still bitter!), or revel in one of Red’s countless stories.

Watching something like Supernatural, ER, or 7th Heaven over the years made us feel connected to those characters, watching them evolve and grow season after season.

A weekly release schedule created a ritual — a slow investment that allowed us to really connect with the characters and become attached.

Now, we’re at a point where “one-and-done” shows rule the platform. They hook you in quickly but let go just as fast, offering no lasting impact.

It’s like the TV equivalent of fast food: satisfying in the moment, but you’re hungry again an hour later.

The Binge Burnout Effect

Streaming platforms constantly release new content, and the sheer volume has us jumping from one series to the next without a break.

Instead of excitement, it’s starting to feel like a never-ending marathon, with the pressure to “keep up” and stay relevant.

It’s exhausting to the point of burnout.

We’re so busy finishing the next show that we’re not really absorbing or enjoying anything — just ticking boxes to say we’ve “seen it all.”

Dropping an entire season at once used to feel like a gift, but now it’s like an obligation.

And when everything’s dropped at once, the hype is intense but short-lived.

Remember when Squid Game took over the world? Everyone watched it within days, talked about it for a week, and then…crickets.

The buzz fizzled as quickly as it began because, in binge culture, there’s no time to let a show breathe, grow, or become a part of the larger cultural conversation.

Once you’ve seen it, you’re on to the next thing, and that’s it. Weekly releases, on the other hand, give a series room to grow.

Shows like Yellowjackets or The Last of Us became cultural touchpoints because each episode got its own moment to shine.

A weekly release keeps viewers invested over time, adding that layer of anticipation that builds long-term fan engagement.

Think about the shows we come back to over and over again — shows like Friends, The Office, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Sopranos, or The X-Files.

These series are rewatchable because they have layers, depth, and episodes that stand on their own.

They’re easy to rewatch because they never feel rushed. We spent time with these characters, saw them change over the years, and they became familiar.

With binge-only shows, rewatching doesn’t have the same impact because the connection was never as strong to begin with. We flew through the content once, and we’re done.

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And rewatching isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about nostalgia and comfort.

Shows with hundreds of episodes or decades of history, like NCIS, Law & Order, or Blue Bloods, give us an anchor in the streaming storm.

They’re like old friends we can revisit, unlike the one-night-stand feel of binge-only shows.

Is Binge Culture Here to Stay?

Streaming companies know that the instant gratification of binge-watching keeps us subscribed and clicking “Next Episode.”

But some platforms are already experimenting with a shift back to weekly releases, realizing that slow-burn anticipation can build a more lasting impact.

Shows like Only Murders in the Building and Silo benefit from this model, where fans gather online (like at TV Fanatic), discuss theories, and bond over the weekly anticipation.

Binge culture isn’t going away completely — it’s too ingrained at this point.

But there’s a growing recognition that maybe we don’t want to watch everything in one sitting, feel that post-binge burnout, and move on to the next big thing right away.

Maybe we miss the days when TV was a slow, consistent journey instead of a sprint.

The streaming binge model was a revelation at first, but it’s taken us from savoring stories to scarfing them down.

We’re left with a cycle of temporary thrills and empty satisfaction, exhausted from trying to keep up.

Shows that should be celebrated (like Slow Horses and Shrinking) and remembered are getting lost in the mix, and we’re burning out faster than we can connect.

So here’s to hoping we can find a balance — a way to binge when we want but also rediscover the slow burn that lets us fall in love with stories, characters, and moments all over again.

Because sometimes, less really is more, and the wait makes it all worth it.

Over to you. Has bingeing burned you out, or are you still hooked? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post The Digital Binge Hangover: Why Streaming Can Leave You Feeling Drained appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The episode was worth the wait, though; we got a decent mix of action and character development over the course of the hour.

I have more questions now than I started the night with, but I’m choosing to trust that the writers won’t lead us astray with the stories they’re telling.

The elephant in the room this season is Chief Dom Pascal.

He floated in on a cloud of mystery in Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 1, and we don’t really know much more about him than we did a couple of months ago.

From the viewer’s perspective, we have every reason not to trust the guy.

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Rugged good looks aside (leave me alone; I’ve loved Dermot Mulroney my whole life), Pascal doesn’t exude the kind of warmth and openness that the 51 are used to.

His interactions with Stella make my skin crawl, frankly, but he and Severide seem to have buddied up a little since Pascal’s arrival.

To be honest, I don’t really understand the dynamic.

Severide was so suspicious of the chief that he took his concerns to Stella and was willing to be downright insubordinate to Pascal.

(Did anyone else swoon when Severide said, “My firehouse is not the place for you,” or was that just me?)

But all it took was a quick ego boost from Pascal for Severide to start looking at him like an over-eager puppy again.

Once the chief told Severide that he was right about the dirty cops, bringing him in on a top-secret mission to take them down (so he says), Kelly was all but putty in the man’s hands.

Imagine how pliable he must be at home when Stella asks him to do something.

Anyway, I digress.

My point is: I don’t trust Pascal, and I can’t understand why Severide seems so determined to trust him.

The weird Pascal/Severide dynamic was bursting with drama, but it wasn’t even close to being the most interesting story of the week.

Congratulations are in order!

Poor Mouch may have spent the better part of the episode being terrorized by a rogue pigeon a la Chimney vs. Crow on 9-1-1, but by the end of the hour, his heart had grown three sizes.

Whether the (frankly adorable) grumbling about pigeon welfare from Tony had an impact on Mouch’s change of heart, or he was just smitten at the idea of a baby pigeon when he found a lost egg, all’s well that ends well.

So on that note, congratulations on your new bird babies, Mouch.

Tony has been given a few more lines than usual this season, along with a bit more screen time, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Tony Ferraris is, of course, a real-life firefighter with the Chicago Fire Department, so he brings bonafide expertise to the set along with his endless wit and charm.

From sassy quips tossed at other firefighters to the treasure trove of animal-related fun facts that he seems to keep under his helmet, Tony is a delight every moment he’s on screen.

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Other characters getting more face time lately include Ritter and Novak, both of whom steal every scene they’re in.

Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) only just joined the cast as of Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 9, but she quickly settled into her role and is as much a fixture of the firehouse as everyone else.

Most of her scenes are with Violet (Hanako Greensmith), and this week was no exception.

These two have the kind of rare chemistry that takes on a life of its own.

I’ve made no secret about the fact that I’m shipping these two — sue me, I like to torture myself — but whether they end up romantically entangled or not, their relationship is something special.

Much like 9-1-1’s Buddie, Lizzie and Violet connected almost instantly, bonded over a tough call, and have been inseparable ever since.

While Violet attempts to move on from the remains of her situationship with Carver, Lizzie throws all her energy into playing the part of the devoted wing-woman.

And look — as much as I’m rooting for a Vizzie ship — I can’t say I’m disappointed in the casting choice for Violet’s new love interest.

Steven Strait joined the cast last week as Flynn, a good Samaritan on a scene who captured Violet’s interest, and the two of them have hit it off.

Maybe it’s a little on the nose because of how Carver (unintentionally, I guess) ghosted Violet, but Flynn’s extra efforts to make sure Violet didn’t feel blown off gave me butterflies.

What do you mean, you didn’t want to cancel your date over text in case she thought you were losing interest in her?

Alexa, play “Whatta Man” by Salt-N-Pepa.

Speaking of perfect couples, this reformed Stellaride hater was thrilled to see proof of the show’s strongest ship still sailing.

Okay, maybe a detour on date night to dig into an investigation for work isn’t the most romantic thing, but it’s on brand, so who can blame them?

In other news, the ship that won’t sink haunted our screens for far too many lingering moments again this week.

Carver and his strangely controlling Texan girlfriend had a few moments of toxicity that ranged from heavy petting to bitter arguing, and honestly?

We’re all getting very tired of the Carver/Tori storyline.

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I know Carver is a beloved character, and people are still rooting for him to get with Violet, but at this point, he and Tori have annoyed me so much that I’m hoping they’ll quietly move to Texas and leave the 51 alone.

To give credit where it’s due, Holly Hinchliffe is playing Tori so brilliantly that she’s pretty much universally hated by Chicago Fire fans, and she’s only had a few minutes of screen time.

Bits and Bobs

• I truly cannot take Severide seriously when he says things like “staties” and “ghost guns.”
• Jocelyn Hudon posted on X during the episode that the pineapple mayo featured in the episode was gross, in case you were wondering.
• The guy who sneezed his guts out of his stomach has caused me emotional damage, and I will be terrified to sneeze for the next month, minimum.
• Just recently, I complained that Chicago Fire hadn’t had a real fire in a while, and this week the writers blessed us with the storage facility blaze of my dreams. Coincidence? Yeah, probably.

This week’s installment was a genuinely fun hour of television.

The mysteries surrounding the crooked state troopers and their connection to Pascal’s old boss will edge into next week’s episode, so we might finally get more answers about the guy’s history.

Hopefully that will also come with another appearance by the stunning KaDee Strickland as his wife Monica.

Let me know in the comments what you thought about the episode, and let’s chat about whether Pascal is as shady as I think he is.

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC, and you can catch up on older episodes on Peacock.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 6 Review: Birds of Prey appeared first on TV Fanatic.

After a decade of simmering tensions that some have described as a “cold civil war,” we now face what promises to be an ultra-dramatic conclusion to a historically bonkers election season.

How did we get to this point? Can we ever rebuild what we’ve lost? And if so, how do we keep it from falling apart again?

These are profound and important questions — and we’re not even gonna attempt to answer them here.

What we will do, however, is explore a familiar patch of common ground in an effort to remind our fellow Americans of what still unites us.

We’re talking, of course, about the wonderful world of television.

Yes, TV — the most American of all mediums.

Obviously, it exists in every country on the planet, and most nations have their own shows and networks and television personalities, many of which are (ostensibly, at least) entirely devoid of any influence from the US.

And the invention of television was such a gradual, collaborative process that no country can claim sole credit.

But it’s worth noting that numerous Americans were instrumental to the process and received patents for innovations without which the final product never could have come to pass.

It was an American who first used a vacuum tube to transmit images and the world’s very first TV station broadcast out of Schenectady, New York in 1928.

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But the technical side is only tangentially related to what we want to talk about today.

The idea of television — the electronic hearth around which the family gathers in the hours between dinner and bedtime to enjoy highly polished entertainment designed to satisfy both parents and kids — that’s an invention of the post-war American empire.

From Howdy Doody and Ed Sullivan in the late ’40s to Lucy, The Twilight Zone, and Wally and the Beev in the ’50s, the world’s newest superpower was quick to plant its flag in the exciting new landscape of TV.

As the trailblazers of TV’s first golden age passed the torch to Dick Van Dyke and Andy Griffith in the ’60s, Americans gathered around the tube for more than just laughs and scripted thrills.

In 1960, the very first US presidential debate was broadcast to tens of millions of Americans.

Three years later, that same audience turned to their sets in horror when the young senator from Massachusetts who charmed so many in his television debut was gunned down in Dallas.

Again, our goal here is not to diminish the contributions of other nations.

Instead, we’re trying to make the point that TV is as much a part of the so-called American century as fast food, baseball, jazz, or any other cultural contribution that makes the whole world think of Uncle Sam.

And if, as Americans, we can use these as reminders of our shared heritage, then maybe we can start to take baby steps along the road to healing.

If the rest of the world can recognize (however begrudgingly) the many ways in which America is still great, then why can’t we?

After all, The Simpsons wasn’t just a ratings juggernaut in the States. In fact, if you join any of the many Bart-centric discussion groups on Facebook, you’ll likely find it overrun with Brits and Aussies.

And if you take a trip to Paris and turn on la télévision in your downtime, you might make the amusing discovery that the French are big fans of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — so much so that dubbed reruns still air around the clock.

As TV’s first century gave way to its second, the medium experienced many ups and downs.

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The 2000s got off to a strong start with The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad offering uniquely American takes on the trope of the troubled antihero (and building massive global audiences in the process).

But as streaming and social media continued their slow takeover of the small screen universe, it became more difficult for new shows to gain footholds — at home or abroad.

As we’ve previously discussed, our fissiparous political climate is reflected — and perhaps, in part, created — by the splintering of our entertainment preferences.

We don’t think it’s much of a stretch to say a nation that doesn’t watch the same TV shows is marginally less likely to hold the same values.

The same could be said of movies, of course, but no medium is a part of our daily lives quite like TV.

And just as the device receives signals and beams the resultant images into our eyeballs, so too do our belief systems both transmit and receive.

In other words, we’re shaped by television, but we, as a people, also configure the medium to suit our preferences.

The TV of the 1950s helped to form our national identity, but it was also a reflection of the values that already existed at the time.

In a way, our pop culture might be a better indication of our prevailing beliefs than our politics. And it’s certainly more unifying.

A Trump voter and a Harris voter might not agree on much in terms of policy. But there’s a strong possibility that they’re both looking forward to the return of Yellowstone.

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So maybe TV can provide a lens through which we can focus on our similarities, as opposed to the differences that are amplified by social media on a daily basis.

The fact is, at some point in the (hopefully very) near future, we’ll have a new president-elect.

And as a result of that development, certain things will change. Perhaps rather abruptly.

It’s an intimidating thought.

But maybe, in these uncertain times, we can take some solace in the knowledge that no matter what happens on Tuesday, NBC’s full slate of One Chicago shows will air on Wednesday.

And Americans from both coasts and both sides of the political spectrum are certain to tune in.

It may not be much, but at least it reminds us that we’re not as different as we think, and that when we work together, we can create wonderful things … or at least pleasantly diverting ones.

The post One Thing Both Parties Can Agree On: TV Is a Uniquely American Medium appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It’s gone on long enough.

We’re heading into the sixth episode of the season, and that’ll be six episodes too many of Carver and his unstable, jealous, troublemaking girlfriend.

If we could fast-forward to the part when the two of them break up and dive into the song-and-dance, will-they-won’t they Carver and Violet arc that this is clearly supposed to be instrumental to, that would be great.

They don’t even have to show us the breakup onscreen.

Here’s the thing: I can’t even chalk it up to being a diehard Carver and Violet shipper who desperately needs the two of them to get their shiitake mushrooms together and move along with things.

Truthfully, while I enjoy the idea of the two of them together, I don’t need it to happen.

I could just as easily direct my attention to Violet and Lizzie at this point.

If anything, this showcases that neither Carver nor Violet may be ready for a relationship right now anyway, but that’s another conversation.

But for the sake of the plot, it’s evident that this is where their stories should be going.

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And if I don’t stand by anything else as a viewer, it’s what makes logical sense or serves the storyline and the characters.

This is one of many reasons why Chicago Fire needs to put the kibosh on Carver and Tori expeditiously.

Who is this serving?

Is there a single viewer out there rooting for this couple, remotely invested in Tori, or appreciative of this obstacle in the way of the inevitable Carver/Violet relationship?

I’d be hard-pressed to find a single person.

In fact, if you are out there and find this story remotely enjoyable or interesting, please, I implore you to hit the comments.

I’d like to understand your perspective.

Even for people who may not ship or care about Carver and Violet as a romantic pairing, whatever the hell this is with Carver and Tori is insufferable and grating.

It’s a time suck for one of Chicago Fire’s most intriguing characters they’ve introduced in recent years because they’re choosing to waste our time in exploring his character via these means.

Carver is such a fascinating character because of how the series introduced him.

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He had a chip on his shoulder, a complex background, and a story as a trauma survivor, and it took him a while to fall into step and find a genuine family at 51.

Carver’s relationship with Tori is a culmination of his internal struggles because of his past.

Maybe he doesn’t feel he deserves good and healthy things.

Maybe after what he deemed rejection, he’s in self-destructive mode, or he’s mirroring the type of toxicity he grew up witnessing or falling into old habits we don’t know about.

I’m open to the idea that we must endure Toxic Tori for this arc to have a satisfying and emotional conclusion.

But even if that’s the case, why are they subjecting us to this unhealthy dynamic, which frankly is a poor execution of what has now become one of the most annoying tropes: the toxic, jealous, “crazy” girlfriend, to advance Carver’s storyline and delve deeper into his issues?

Is it bothering anyone else that Chicago Fire is leaning so heavily into that bit?

Tori feels like the “histrionic” antagonist in a 90s thriller, except she is less fun and entertaining.

If this arc results in Tori going off the deep end, potentially harming herself, Carver, or Violet because of her potential mental health issues or whatever else, I will be incredibly disappointed in Chicago Fire.

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It’s better than this; Carver as a character is better than this, and so is the pathway toward building up the relationship between Carver and Violet.

If Chicago Fire is seizing an opportunity to explore Carver deeper, I resent them for taking the least intriguing, most unoriginal, and frankly problematic avenue to do so.

They didn’t have to resort to this.

Carver is a goldmine for potential plots, and there are endless possibilities for delving into his background or exploring more about his character.

Why are they subjecting us to this one?

If the series was trying to take a serious approach to actually examining toxic and abusive relationships (because that’s precisely what Tori and Carver are), then that’s fine.

But they’re essentially keying this up as if it’s a teen love triangle from the 2000s, where the primary objective is to drive Carver and Violet back to one another.

Those needed to be two separate storylines for this to work correctly.

Tying the toxicity of this Carver/Tori dumpsterfire of a relationship to the Carver/Violet pairing and thus reducing this to merely a one-sided ship war where the goal is to put Carver and Violet together finally feels cheap, irresponsible, and reductive.

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The characters and the viewers deserve better than this.

Regardless of their intentions, I can confidently say that it’s not serving what they want it to, and it’s time for Chicago Fire to snuff this pairing out and let Carver rise from the ashes.

Over to you, Chicago Fire Fanatics.

How are you feeling about Caver and Tori’s toxic love affair?

Let’s hear it below!

Watch Chicago Fire Online

The post Chicago Fire: Carver and Tori’s Fiery Dynamic Needs to be Extinguished appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Sometimes, tropes are overdone or offensive, but they often exist to give the audience a sense of familiarity and relatability.

If I had to choose a favorite trope, it would be the concept of found family, and I wouldn’t even have to think about it.

A grouchy, tough boss has a soft spot for a rough-around-the-edge intern and becomes a parental figure for them.

A set of childhood best friends grow into adulthood together, sharing all of life’s challenges and celebrations like siblings.

Sometimes, a character gets the “Dirty Uncle Sal” treatment.

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As Meredith Grey so eloquently put it on Grey’s Anatomy, this character is “the one who embarrasses everyone at family reunions … but you invite him to the picnic anyway.”

No matter how the relationship dynamic plays out, these platonic friendships that morph into families who do life together will always make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

There are hundreds of examples of families found on television, but we’ve gathered a few that stand out for us to celebrate the trope.

Meredith Grey and Richard Webber: Grey’s Anatomy

The writers of TV’s longest-running medical drama could host a master class in the art of creating a found family.

Over the years, characters have built families with the coworkers they see constantly.

But one of the most realistic examples of chosen family on Grey’s Anatomy is in the daughter/father dynamic between Meredith and Richard.

The love hasn’t always been reciprocated, but Webber has considered himself responsible for Meredith since her first day as an intern.

Despite the ups and downs in their relationship (and I mean a LOT of them), these two have always been family.

We even saw a glimpse of what life might have been like if Richard had raised Meredith in Grey’s Anatomy Season 8 Episode 13.

Watch Grey's Anatomy Online

Evan “Buck” Buckley and Christopher Diaz: 9-1-1

9-1-1 is another show that doesn’t hold back when it comes to creating a family feel.

Perhaps the most meaningful example of this on the show is the relationship between Buck and Christopher.

Christopher isn’t biologically related to Buck; he’s the son of Buck’s closest friend and partner, Eddie.

But that has never stopped Buck from loving Christopher like his own and stepping in as a parental figure when needed.

In a testament to their bond, Eddie named Buck in his will as Christopher’s legal guardian in the event of Eddie’s death.

Christopher trusts Buck even when he can’t talk to his dad, and Buck has proven time and time again that he’s worthy of that trust.

Watch 9-1-1 Online

April Ludgate and Leslie Knope: Parks and Recreation

April may have a snarky attitude and pretend she’s too cool for school, but the love she has for Leslie shines through on Parks and Recreation.

Leslie isn’t old enough to be April’s mother, but she’s certainly acted in a big sister capacity over the years.

As April’s boss, Leslie always did a great job of supporting her professionally.

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More importantly, she showed up for April outside of work, supporting her through years of major life changes.

No matter how hard April tried to feign otherwise, she loved and appreciated Leslie’s advice and support and frequently sought it out.

Leslie’s influence is directly responsible for much of April’s growth, and April shows her gratitude in her own way.

Watch Parks and Rec Online

Rosa Diaz and Jake Peralta: Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is another one of those shows where everyone feels connected to each other in a familial way.

Jake even slips up more than once and calls Captain Holt “Dad,” if that tells you anything about their relationship.

But one of the most special duos on this show is Jake and Rosa, best friends who act more like siblings.

They bicker and fight, but they always have each other’s backs at work and in their personal lives.

When Rosa came out as bisexual, Jake stood by her side as she navigated coming out to her parents, who were less than supportive.

And for her part, Rosa showed up for Jake to back him up in his many, many shenanigans, often getting him out of messes he created himself.

Watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine Online

Stella Kidd and Wallace Boden: Chicago Fire

Found family in a firehouse is almost a given, so this may be too easy.

Still, no one was more devastated about Chief Boden’s departure from 51 than Stella.

She viewed him as a father figure who was always available for advice and encouragement.

Boden saw Stella as a daughter and would have done anything she needed at any time.

The bond these two shared was just one of many examples of beautiful platonic friendships on Chicago Fire.

Through good times and bad, Boden and Stella set a fantastic example of how powerful chosen family can be.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

Billy Baker and Spencer James: All American

Billy Baker treated Spencer as another son from the minute he moved him into his house so he could be a star player on the Beverly football team.

While it was originally about the team and Spencer’s potential, they grew to care deeply about each other over the years.

When Billy died during All American Season 5, it devastated Spencer because they had been arguing and had not made peace yet.

When Billy makes a ghostly visit in Season 6, he tries to help all his children, including Spencer.

Watch All American Online

Amanda Wagner and Will Trent: Will Trent

Amanda appears as a tough old bird, but she has always considered Will to be part of her family.

At the end of Will Trent Season 1, it was revealed that she found baby Will in the trash can and tried to raise him herself.

However, society didn’t let single African-American women keep infants, and she had to give him back, but she gave him a part of her, his name.

She also gave him a job at the GBI, and Will was always loyal to her.

Watch Will Trent Online

Harlan “Sonny” Jennings and Emily “Em” Wright: HI-Surf

Em is the only one who can ever really call Sonny out.

Unlike others in his life, Em doesn’t hold back.

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You can always tell how hard it is on him when he feels like he has disappointed her and not met her expectations.

They have such a strong dynamic, and you can tell there’s a lot of history there that the series hasn’t even begun to dig into.

Watch Rescue HI-Surf Online

Vince Leone and Jake Crawford: Fire Country

Vince Leone always reads as very paternal when it comes to both Jake and Eve on Fire Country.

He considered both of them his other children, and that especially was solidified when his and Sharon’s daughter died, and Bode went to prison.

In work environments, there is a healthy dose of respect, but you also get the sense that Vince is the dad of the house.

Just as quickly as he extends advice to both Jake and Eve, they also confront him in a way you’d expect from children calling out their parents.

Watch Fire Country Online

Melinda “Mel” Monroe and Vernon “Doc” Mullins: Virgin River

Funnily enough, when Mel first got there, Doc seemed to hate her and didn’t want her around at all.

But they eventually settled into a beautiful rhythm and developed this very special filial relationship, which is almost as much at the center of the show as her romance with Jack.

Doc never had the opportunity to raise children, but you can tell he pours all of this fatherly affection and love into Mel. As for Mel, she returns his affection in kind.

The two share a bond that includes confiding in each other, seeking out advice, holding secrets, and comforting each other.

In fact, the upcoming season of Virgin River will be interesting as Mel explores a relationship with her biological father.

Because she and Doc have been so close for the past few years, it makes you wonder if he’ll feel a pang of jealousy or resentment.

Watch Virgin River Online

Susannah Fisher and Isabel “Belly” Conklin: The Summer I Turned

Pretty

Sadly, this mother-daughter dynamic on The Summer I Turned Pretty ended in tragedy.

But Belly looked to Susannah as a second mother and, at times, had a stronger relationship with Susannah than she did with her own mom.

And Susannah, given that she only had two sons, always viewed Belly as her daughter.

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It made things interesting since Susannah actively rooted for Belly to be with one of her sons; her opinion on this matter adds weight to the already complicated and messy love triangle between Belly and the two brothers.

Still, Belly and Susannah sometimes felt more like mother and daughter than she did with her actual mom.

As a result, Belly’s grief over Susannah’s passing has fundamentally shaped who she is as a young woman moving forward and made her grief story carry just as much weight as that of Conrad and Jeremiah’s.

Watch The Summer I Turned Pretty Online

While the bond between biological relatives can be lovely, it’s often the people we meet later in life that make the biggest impact.

We’d love to hear from you!

Let us know in the comments if you have favorite TV found families that we missed.

The post 11 Examples of Found Family on TV that Prove Genetics Aren’t Everything appeared first on TV Fanatic.

After a promo that showed Severide in (another) precarious situation, it was hard not to be a tiny bit worried about the guy.

Mercifully, we made it through the episode without any major casualties.

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5: Calls of the Week

Sticking to the typical formula, there were two major calls for members of 51 to tend to.

The transfer truck crash (which brought to life one of my biggest fears, thank you very much) delivered yet another near-death experience for Severide.

He escaped his certain demise with seconds to spare — as usual — and then he and Stella spent the rest of the hour investigating the cause of the crash.

For the big paramedic case of the week, Violet and Lizzie treated a man who was injured in a random attack.

Luckily for everyone, a handsome and competent bystander was there to lend a hand.

As they left the scene, Lizzie joked about the good Samaritan’s good looks, and that should have been enough of an indicator that he’d be back before the hour’s end.

As a viewer, I tend to be less invested in the week-to-week calls than the overarching plot and character development.

But even I can admit that the cases we saw in this episode were compelling.

Like I said, transfer trucks absolutely terrify me.

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So, witnessing the aftermath of a nasty collision and hearing about the concept of “ghost drivers” pulling 24-hour driving shifts raised my blood pressure a bit.

If I stay off the highway for the next few weeks, we’ll have Dick Wolf and the Chicago Fire showrunner to blame.

Anyway, even with a couple of interesting cases, the real excitement from the hour came from the characters we know and love.

Character Development for Days

It will never cease to amaze me how much content Chicago Fire writers can fit into an episode, especially without making the story feel rushed.

We got to spend some time with several major characters this week as they each had their own things going on.

Stella and Severide started the hour with a steamy reminder that they are as connected as they’ve ever been, and then spent the rest of the episode working together like they were made for it.

Violet leaned into the idea that she is ready to move on from Carver, proving as much by asking the handsome bystander from her call out for drinks.

Lizzie and Ritter bonded a bit over their mutual desire to impress Chief Pascal, and Lizzie showed once again that she’s a true ride-or-die kind of friend.

Herrmann and Kylie worked together on a mission to get new radios for the house, even while being mercilessly mocked by Tony, Cruz, and Capp.

Pascal continued to give me whiplash after spending the entire episode being entirely reasonable, fair, and accommodating to his team.

Carver and Tori continued their toxic relationship despite both of their lies being exposed, and at this point, they deserve each other.

Mouch went out of his way to dress up for and host Violet’s birthday party at Molly’s, and the whole team reminded us that they really are one big family.

Plus, we got a small Chicago P.D. cameo when Stella and Severide enlisted Trudy for help with their investigation!

The entire episode was a masterclass in how to include stories from all of a show’s big players without overwhelming the audience.

Instead of feeling like it was too much, I enjoyed the sweet moments between characters as they came.

Lizzie was willing to take the fall for Ritter when he was terrified of upsetting Pascal.

Ritter told Kylie that Herrmann is the kind of leader you’d follow anywhere.

Stellaride showed us that they’re two halves of a whole.

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These characters, most of whom have been growing and changing together for years, never stop telling the relatable stories we want to hear.

That’s what keeps us coming back every week, more than the action or the suspense ever could.

Even as they’re all flawed and complicated, we get to see them being divinely human.

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5 Left Me with a Bone to Pick

Okay, I know I just spent ages waxing poetic about how great this show is.

But.

While we’ve all collectively decided to hate Tori and the creepy, unhealthy relationship she and Carver has, this week’s scenes got me thinking about the “crazy girlfriend” trope.

I will give the writers credit where it’s due, because they’re showing Carver in a pretty unflattering light here, too.

Still, the jealous, possessive, and volatile traits Tori has displayed so far have my alarm bells ringing.

Time will tell how this relationship plays out, and it certainly doesn’t seem like an endgame kind of ship.

But I sincerely hope that the story plays out in a way that doesn’t play into harmful stereotypes about women.

There are ways to showcase toxic relationships without perpetuating ideas that women are crazy or unbalanced, and I hope the writers can dial that back with Tori a bit before things spin out of control.

Overall, it was a great hour, full of all the elements that give Chicago Fire its magic.

We didn’t get much insight on Pascal’s secrets, but it seems those answers are on the way, so we can be patient a little longer.

Until then, let me know in the comments how you felt about the episode!

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5 Review: Down the Rabbit Hole appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It’s not that we’re not used to seeing Severide in grave danger, we’re just wondering if the guy is ever going to get a break.

We’re talking about that and more in our roundup of Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5 spoilers.

All About Action

The promo released last week shows 51 responding to a brutal crash involving a crushed vehicle and a semi truck.

Naturally, the scene is made more stressful by the looming threat of leaking gasoline.

Like the hero he is, Severide throws himself right into the deep end, diving into the crushed car to rescue the driver.

And look, I don’t think any of us believe that Kelly Severide is going to be killed off in a random episode, so I’m not that worried.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t be a tense hour.

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5 Spoilers: Ride, Stellaride 

Stellaride will be getting some screen time together this week as they research the company responsible for the truck accident.

Apparently, this isn’t the first time one of their trucks has been behind a crash like this.

Fans of the couple will be excited to see them working this closely together again; it’s been a while! 

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These two are in a stronger place than ever after some family issues threatened to tear them apart.

Damon couldn’t come between them, and Severide is determined to give Stella all the space she needs to decide if she wants a baby, so they’re on solid ground.

It’s a good thing, too, because the show is so much more enjoyable without unnecessary relationship drama.

A Fan Favorite Returns

Next week, we’ll get to see Kylie again, a character viewers love and don’t get enough of.

Herrmann will be bringing her into a mission of his to get new radios for the whole squad.

It’ll be fun to see the two of them working together, and I’d be willing to bet they’ll come up with some goofy antics to provide comic relief for the episode.

Kylie sadly turned down Stella’s offer to join 51 on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4, but that doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of her.

Ritter took the vacant spot on truck, so Stella will be easing up her recruitment efforts.

But something tells me that being around the house to help Herrmann might make Kylie second guess her decision.

Happy Birthday, Dear Violet 

Violet was central to the last episode, and it looks like we’re going to extend the focus on her.

She and Novak quickly became two of my favorite characters, so I’ll take all the Violet face time I can get.

She’ll be the subject of a birthday celebration in the coming episode.

Hopefully, the conversation she had with Carver last week brought her enough closure that she’s ready to move on.

No word on whether she’ll be moving on with Lizzie, but I’m holding out hope for as long as I can.

I’m no stranger to cheering for ships that take a long time to sail (cough, Buddie, cough), so I can be patient.

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5 Spoilers: Pascal Remains a Mystery 

Last week, I got a bit of whiplash with Chief Pascal.

After a violent outburst and his frankly abhorrent treatment of Stella, it was pretty clear that he wasn’t trustworthy.

And because of a lifetime of love for Dermot Mulroney, I was bummed to have to hate his Chicago Fire character.

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Then, last week, he went out of his way to help protect Violet’s job after she nearly lost her license because of a call.

Is it possible that he has some ulterior motive that drew him to play the hero?

Or are we supposed to believe that he really is a wonderful man and leader who just has some baggage to deal with?

I’m all for recognizing the impact of trauma and being willing to let people make mistakes and change.

Still, my guard is up when it comes to Pascal, given his mysterious history.

There’s also more to his story with his wife, Monica, and their strange and unhealthy relationship dynamic.

I can only assume that we’ll learn more about those two (and whatever happened in Florida!) that will help shed some light on what kind of person Pascal is.

Where is the Fire?

For a show called Chicago Fire, it seems like we don’t see all that many fires these days.

I get that staging a huge fire is probably extremely expensive for production, especially when the dramatic interpersonal storylines do so well in the ratings.

I’d just like to see more action. Sue me!

Don’t get me wrong.

I don’t want to lose any of these characters.

But if we could get a nice, stressful, major disaster to shake things up a bit, I wouldn’t complain. 

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5 Spoilers: Investigator Severide

At least we’ll get to see Severide in investigative mode this week, though, and I love when they show that side of him.

He’s smart, thorough, and observant, so these situations are great for him to flex those muscles.

(I get it though; everyone likes when he flexes his other muscles, too.)

Wednesday’s installment promises to be an exciting hour, so don’t forget to tune in!

Then, meet us back here after the episode to chat about it.

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Watch Chicago Fire Online

The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 5 Spoilers: Where is the Fire? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It was a nail-biter of an hour, most of which was centered around Violet and Lizzie.

And hey, I’m not complaining!

Violet and Lizzie Do the Impossible on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4

This relatively new, but decidedly dynamic duo captured hearts from Lizzie’s first appearance on Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 9.

Of course, Violet’s a veteran of the show, and we’ve always loved her.

But something about her partnership with Novak is extra special, inspiring fans to coin their new favorite ship “Vizzie.”

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The latest episode only fueled Vizzie shippers.

There were several moments where Violet and Lizzie connected, starting with the devastating case the episode opened with.

After realizing they couldn’t save their patient, the paramedics learned she was pregnant, and Violet had to make an impossible decision.

Having watched Grey’s Anatomy for twenty years, I dusted off my medical knowledge for this case and remembered that once the mother passes, a fetus can only survive for five minutes without being delivered.

(Don’t quote me on that; my medical knowledge is based on the aforementioned twenty years of watching a medical drama.)

Violet and Lizzie both knew exactly how dire the situation was.

Leaning on the minimal surgical experience she had, Violet chose to perform an emergency C-section to try and save the baby.

She knew it could end her career, and so did Novak — but that wasn’t enough to convince Lizzie to leave Violet to deal with the situation alone.

The performances by Hanako Greensmith and Jocelyn Hudon in this scene were incredible.

You could feel Lizzie and Violet’s terror and determination through the screen.

Miraculously, after we all collectively held our breaths waiting for that first cry, the baby survived.

Color me surprised when, despite an incredible save in an impossible situation, Violet’s license is yanked by everyone’s least favorite Paramedic Chief Robinson.

Why Is Everyone Suddenly Being So Nice?

Robinson is very likely still bitter after Boden got the promotion she wanted on Chicago Fire Season 12 Episode 13, so it’s not all that absurd to think she might have it out for 51.

But this is when things get a little weird.

There’s a moment between Violet and Robinson where the chief tells her that she did the right thing, even if it wasn’t the “correct” thing.

And just when I’d decided to hate Chief Pascal (despite my undying love for Dermot Mulroney), he also went out of his way to help save Violet’s job.

Pascal was even willing to put himself in a vulnerable position, apologizing to Vale for punching him, in order to help Violet.

What is it with this guy?

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When he first showed up at the beginning of the season, I was determined to love him.

As he started showing more of himself, including his violet tendencies and vaguely misogynistic comments to Stella, my confidence in him fell significantly.

So is there something shady going on that inspired him to help Violet, or is this the start of a redemption arc?

Stella and the Severide Siblings

Stella featured this week in a big way, too, both with an incredible rescue and a stressful race to replace Damon.

She also spent some time convincing Severide to pursue a relationship with his little brother.

After everything Damon did, it was extremely magnanimous of Stella to suggest that Severide try to repair their bond.

True to the kind and loving man we know Kelly is, and the fact that he is nothing like his father, he did just that.

While I’m not 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

As Stella stressed about how to fill Damon’s spot on truck, Mouch and Herrmann were busy cooking up a solution.

And speaking of those two, the scenes between Mouch and Herrmann in this episode were perfect examples of the purity of Chicago Fire’s friendships.

These guys have a shorthand with each other, and whether they’re having a ridiculous conversation or a serious one, the fondness between them is evident.

Oh, and their solution?

Ritter!

I’ve said before how much I adore Ritter, and bringing him closer to fill Damon’s vacancy is the perfect way for the writers to make sure he gets more screen time this season.

Hopefully, we’ll see more of his relationship with Chicago P.D.’s Dwayne, as well.

I’d also enjoy more scenes between Ritter, Violet, and Lizzie.

The three of them bounce off each other organically, forming a trio that anyone would want to be part of.

I suppose I have to bring up Carver and Tori, though I wish the both of them would disappear.

The episode opened with a scene shared by the couple, and there may just be trouble in paradise.

It looks like Tori intends to stick around in Chicago for a while, and Carver wasn’t prepared for that level of commitment.

Violet Closes the Carver Chapter on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4

Sorrows. Prayers.

Anyway.

Violet took a brief moment to apologize to Carver for her outburst at Tori (who did not deserve an apology, if you ask me), and it felt like a real goodbye.

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If Violet is moving on from Carver for good, you won’t catch me shedding any tears about it.

Even ignoring my commitment to the Vizzie ship, I ultimately just want Violet to be happy.

Carver lost his chance to make that happen, and Violet deserves better.

Chicago Fire Loves a Redemption Arc

It was a packed episode, on brand for Chicago Fire, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

If there’s anything I’ve learned from this series, it’s that people are capable of change.

Does that mean I’m ready to forgive Damon for how he treated Stella and Kelly, or Pascal for how he spoke to Stella?

Nah, not even close.

But I am willing to stay open minded about these characters, knowing that the Chicago Fire showrunners know how to deliver a believable redemption arc.

That said, it’s going to take quite a bit of groveling before I’m ready to let go.

Odds and Ends from Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4

• Cruz’s elaborate attempts to recover Javi’s bike were admirable, including his willingness to steal the bike back. At least, it was, right up until we learned he just robbed some random kid. Classic.
• Stella’s hair in the scenes at Molly’s deserves an Emmy all of its own.
• It was almost a One Chicago hat trick! We got a brief appearance from Goodwin (Chicago Med) and mention of Trudy (Chicago P.D.)!
• The C-section scene was more graphic than Chicago Fire usually gets, and it was a great reminder of why I became a writer and not a surgeon.

Overall, it was a great way to spend an hour.

I’m throwing five stars at it this week because I’m such a sucker for a Vizzie-centric episode. What about you?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Don’t miss Chicago Fire, airing Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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The post Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4 Review: Through the Skin appeared first on TV Fanatic.