This article contains mentions of suicide.
The fall finale ofChicago Fireseason 13 (episode 8, “Quicksand”) didn’t feel like much of a finale, but it did leave many questions unanswered. NBC’s procedural drama series centers around the lives of the firefighters and paramedics at Firehouse 51, and they have been through a lot in season 13. From toxic love interests to close brushes with death,theChicago Fireseason 13 charactershave experienced a lot of conflict. However,14 episodes remain in the season,meaning the story is just getting started, and it might be a while before fans get some answers.
To brieflyrecap the first eight episodes ofChicago Fireseason 13— Firehouse 51 got a new chief (Dermot Mulroney’s Chief Dom Pascal); Jack Damon was fired after disobeying Stella Kidd’s direct orders; Darren Ritter took Damon’s spot on Truck 81 while Kylie Estevez replaced Ritter on Engine 51; Kelly Severide worked with Pascal to take down a corrupt cop; Sam Carver reunited with his high school girlfriend, Tori, but she eventually left him; Violet Mikami started dating a man she met during a call, Flynn; and Christopher Herrmann and Randall “Mouch” McHolland took the captain and lieutenant exams, respectively.
8What Will Happen To Cruz After Junior’s Return?
Leon Cruz Returned To Warn His Brother About Flaco’s Cousin
The biggestcliffhanger fromChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8 revolved around Joe Cruz’s past coming back to haunt him. Throughout the hour, Cruz kept finding bullets in his belongings. He later discovered that one of them was full of human ashes. Cruz, who at first thought someone at the fire station was messing with him, learned from his brother, Leon, thatFlaco’s cousin, Junior, got early release from prison.
As some may recall, Flaco was the leader of the Insane Kings, a gang Leon was a part of. In season 1, Firehouse 51 responded to a fire Flaco was trapped in.Cruz came upon Flaco, but instead of helping him, he left the gang leader to die.Joe Miñoso’s character wanted to help his brother get out of the gang, and he saw the fire as an opportunity to save Leon. Now, Junior, who watched Cruz do nothing to help his cousin, wants revenge.
Sam Carver’s Tragedy In Chicago Fire Season 13 Is The Best Thing To Happen To Him
Sam Carver is going through it in Chicago Fire season 13 on NBC, but his missteps are the best thing for his character in the long run.
Junior cornered Cruz at a church,where he told him, “We need to talk, my friend.” Unfortunately,theChicago Fireseason 13 episodefaded to black right after Junior’s comment, meaning viewers will have to wait until episode 9 to see what awaits Cruz regarding this new storyline. Cruz is in a lot of danger, and he’ll need a lot of help to stop whatever Junior is planning for him.
7Will Mouch & Herrmann Pass Their Respective Tests?
Mouch & Herrmann Finally Took Their Exams In Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 8
Herrmann was supposed to take the captain exam prior tothe events of theChicago Fireseason 13 premiere. However, he got nervous and backed out. With Mouch’s help and encouragement, though,Herrmann took the test in episode 8 (while Mouch took the lieutenant exam).Unfortunately, the hour ended before the audience could learn how both characters did on their respective tests.
So,whenChicago Fireseason 13 returns in the midseason, the NBC procedural drama must reveal what happened after Herrmann and Mouch’s CFD (Chicago Fire Department) tests.If they both passed, a lot of change may be in store for Firehouse 51.But if Herrmann and Mouch both failed or one passed while the other failed, the audience should expect some drama and heartbreak from two ofthe most belovedChicago Firecharacters.
6Will Herrmann Take Over Pascal’s Job As Chief At Firehouse 51?
Herrmann Is On Track To Become A Chief
If Herrmann passes the CFD captain exam, he might take over Pascal’s job at Firehouse 51 by the end of season 13.Chief Boden chose Herrmann to be his replacement during theChicago Fireseason 12 finale, but since David Eigenberg’s character didn’t take the captain test, he couldn’t be in the running. Consequently,the CFD chose Pascal to be Firehouse 51’s new chief,and Herrmann continued being the lieutenant in charge of Engine 51. But if Herrmann passes his exam, he could be on the path to becoming the fire station’s new boss.
Where Is Herrmann In Chicago Fire Season 13? The Reason For David Eigenberg’s Mysterious Absence
David Eigenberg’s Chicago Fire character, Christopher Herrmann, has been mysteriously missing from a couple of episodes in season 13 of the NBC show.
As Herrmann and Mouch explained to Violet andLizzie Novak inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8, Herrmann must hold the captain rank for a limited time before taking the chief test. Then, if he passes, Herrmann would ideally be appointed as Firehouse 51’s chief. Once that happens,Mouch can take over Herrmann’s Engine 51 lieutenant position.Of course, this is what would happen in a perfect world, andChicago Fire’s world is far from perfect. Perhaps Pascal’s run at Firehouse 51 was only supposed to last one season, though, and Herrmann will replace him in season 14 (if NBC renews the show).
5What Happened In Novak’s Past?
Novak hasn’t gotten much of a story since shereplaced Sylvie Brett inChicago Fireseason 12, but that began to change in the season 13 fall finale. Novak was in her apartment getting ready at the beginning of episode 8. Before she left, she looked at a photograph (assumingly, of her family), kissed her fingers, and touched the picture. Later in the hour, Violet and Novak responded to a call where a man had attempted to die by suicide, andNovak had an extreme reaction to the situation.
Something tragic happened to Novak when she was younger, andChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8 never filled in the blanks.
After stabilizing him, Novak yelled at the man, “Why did you do that? How could you do that to us?” Violet was concerned about Novak, but she never opened up about why she had an outburst. Towards the end of the episode,Novak stood outside the home where she grew up.The woman living there opened the door and questioned what Novak was doing. Novak explained that she used to live there, and the woman asked, “Are you one of the Novak kids?” When Novak confirmed her suspicions, a look of recognition crossed the woman’s face, and Novak walked away.
Katelynn Shennett
Kylie Estevez
Something tragic happened to Novak when she was younger,andChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8 never filled in the blanks. Evidently, someone died by suicide in her immediate family, possibly one of her siblings or parents. There were five people in Novak’s picture seen at the beginning of “Quicksand” — a man, a woman, two young girls, and a young boy. Novak could have lost any one of them, and the remainder ofChicago Fireseason 13 will undoubtedly reveal more about the new paramedic’s past.
4How Long Will It Take For Violet & Carver To Get Together?
Tori Left Carver In Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 7
After their falling out during theChicago Fireseason 12 finale,Violet and Carver have been putting more and more distance between them as season 13 goes on.The two engaged in a casual relationship in season 12, as Violet didn’t want to date another first responder after losing Evan Hawkins. However, as these things always go, feelings developed between Violet and Carver. He even told her he loved her in the season 12 finale before leaving for Texas for six weeks. Consequently, everything has been different betweenCasey and Brett’sChicago Firereplacement since the season 13 premiere.
Carver returned to Chicago with his high school girlfriend, Tori, just as Violet was ready to admit her feelings for him. Violet resigned to letting Carver move on from her. So, she started dating a man she met on a call, Flynn, to also move on from her and Carver’s relationship.Tori was a bad influence in Carver’s life,though, which led to their fight and subsequentbreakup inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 7.
All Of Chicago Fire’s Firehouse 51 Romance Ranked
Over the course of Chicago Fire’s 13 seasons, there have been many romances between coworkers at Firehouse 51, some more successful than others.
As of the fall finale,Carver is single and Violet isn’t.However, these two characters are destined to find their way back to one another, based on how their story is being developed. The only question concerns the timeline of Violet and Carver’s reunion. Unfortunately, it might be a while before that happens. When speaking withUs Weeklyin September, Hanako Greensmith (who plays Violet) teased Violet and Carver’s slow-burn story in season 13. She said:
“[Violet and Carver’s relationship is a] bit of a dance. [They’re] finding their footing in new situations that both include and don’t include one another.”
3What Happened To Pascal In Miami?
Pascal’s Past Is A Mystery
Ever since the season 13 premiere, the show has been teasing something big that happened toChief Boden’sChicago Firereplacementwhile working in Miami. Pascal has proven to be someone not to mess with. It’s easy for him to act on his anger instead of thinking first, suggesting a chaotic past. Plus, the characters keep mentioning Miami, andthe dynamic between Pascal and his wife, Monica, is strained and quite confusing.Monica seemingly resents Pascal and loves him at the same time, and it might have something to do with what happened in Florida.
All threeOne ChicagoTV shows will all return on Wednesday, July 31, 2025, withChicago Fireseason 13, episode 9 airing at 9 pm ET on NBC.
During the fall finale, Monica told her husband she wanted to get a gun and take firearms training. Pascal was against the idea but ultimately warmed up to it by the episode’s end. When he gave in, Monica told Pascal, “All I really want is for you to stop going at it alone. No more secrets. No more scorched Earth all around us. That way, we can keep each other safe.” Hopefully, the upcomingepisodes ofChicago Fireseason 13 have some answers becausewhatever happened to Pascal (and his wife) in Miami is one huge question mark.
2Will Ritter Move In With Dwayne?
Ritter Worried About Taking The Next Step In His Relationship
Ritter, one of the most underutilizedChicago Firecharacters despite being one of the best, finally has a storyline inChicago Fireseason 13. During episode 8, Ritter worried about the possibility of moving in with his boyfriend, Dwayne Morris.Ritter didn’t feel ready to take that next step in their relationship,but he didn’t know how to tell Dwayne.
Jack Damon Still Needs To Return To Firehouse 51 In Chicago Fire Season 13 To Properly End His Story
Chief Dom Pascal fired Jack Damon just a few episodes into Chicago Fire season 13, but Kelly Severide’s brother’s story isn’t complete yet.
After complaining and stalling the inevitable throughout the episode, Ritter finally received some good advice from Kidd. He left Firehouse 51 (after his shift had ended, of course) to talk to Dwayne about his concerns about them moving in together. Based on theChicago Fireseason 13 fall finale,it doesn’t seem like Ritter is moving in with Dwayne anytime soon.However, it would still be great to get more updates on their relationship and Ritter’s personal life, as he has mostly been regulated to being a seen and not heard character in season 13.
1When Will Severide Return?
Severide Was Absent In Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 8
Sadly,Severide was missing in theChicago Fireseason 13 fall finale. The other characters explained thathe was working on an arson case in Michigan,which is why he was absent throughout the episode. Kidd later mentioned that Severide would be coming home early, but fans have heard this story before.
Based onChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8, Severide was supposed to return home soon, but his plans often change.
Severide has the tendency to make decisions without informing his wife(e.g., his whereabouts towardsthe end ofChicago Fireseason 11). It wouldn’t be all that surprising if Severide extends his leave and doesn’t appear in the midseason premiere. Based onChicago Fireseason 13, episode 8, Severide was supposed to return home soon, but his plans often change.
Chicago Fire
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Chicago Fire follows the lives of firefighters, rescue squad members, and paramedics of Firehouse 51 in Chicago as they face professional and personal challenges, showcasing their dedication, teamwork, and resilience.
