Chicago Fire “Barely Gone” Spoilers Ahead
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 1, “Barely Gone,” is a bittersweet homecoming that almost feels like the beginning of the end, even if that’s unlikely with the show. With Law and Order: SVU’s track record and the One Chicago universe still performing as well as they do, it sometimes feels like these shows could go on forever. Still, there’s something intrinsically sad about the episode, and it’s not just because it preludes two character exists with one happening within the show’s forty-minute run.
If, for instance, this is the start of the show’s curtain call, then I personally wouldn’t be mad about it. (I spend almost every episode too stressed out about character deaths, and I’d like to pretend they all live happily ever after.) But Chicago Fire “Barely Gone” does what the show does best, and it reminds us of the prodigious heart present inside Firehouse 51. The show is hard to escape, largely because of the dynamics and part of what made Season 11 as frustrating as it was is the sheer absence of these more somberly wholesome moments.
Chicago Fire “Barely Gone”: Stellaride Is Back?
There’s no doubt that Chicago Fire will continue challenging Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide’s relationship. Given the odd storylines they pulled to explain Taylor Kinney’s understandable (and temporary) exit in the latter half of last season, the show leaned more toward drama than honest storytelling, making it hard to trust where it could lead the couple. Yet, every episode that starts or ends with a steamy (pun very much intended) Stellaride make-out session is an undeniable win in my book, and Chicago Fire’s “Barely Gone” is no exception.
Stella and Severide are good together—their edges fit with their softer pieces, and their love for one another isn’t fleeting. They’ve overcome far too much in their lives not to continue fighting for their relationship, even when one or both of them messes up on something. Situations move forward better when they communicate, which is a detail the show has touched on more than a few times at this point. Thus, if nothing else, at least they’re talking. They’re doing the one thing they weren’t doing last season, which is progress in itself to potentially promise that they’ll make it through whatever comes their way now.
Why Does Violet Keep Loosing People She Loves?
One of the more frustrating parts of Chicago Fire’s “Barely Gone” is the reminder that Violet continues to lose in life. She lost the love of her life right in front of her eyes, and now, two of her best friends are moving away. While the series can’t control actors wanting to part ways, it’s almost agonizingly frustrating that the one character who continues to give and give is the one who continues to lose. And yet, amidst all of it, her empathy and love continue to be the show’s most prominent light right now.
From the moment she stepped into Firehouse 51, Violet was the easiest character to appreciate. It’s not hard to love her, and later, when life (or, in this case, the narrative) continues to break her, it’s not hard to empathize and hurt alongside her. That said, I lost it when she cried saying goodbye to Gallo.
Hanako Greensmith is so evocative at that moment as Violet breaks down that the group parting ways impacts us, too. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but I’m thrilled the series never succeeded in pushing a romance between Violet and Gallo because it makes their friendship so special. They are a family, in every way, long before Gallo finds the blood relatives he’d been hoping to connect with. What he shares with Violet and Ritter is the kind of friendship that shows how families should be, making the goodbye that much more heartbreaking. But thank heavens he’s alive because, at this point, that matters on a show like Chicago Fire.
Wedding Bells and More Changes
Kara Killmer will also be leaving Chicago Fire in Season 12, and “Barely Gone” answers how by revealing that she’s moving to Oregon to be with Matt, Julia (whom she’s officially adopting), and the boys. (Will we actually see the wedding she’s planning? Here’s to hoping.) But what makes Brett’s exit heartbreaking again boils down to Violet and the friendship between the women on this show. There’s so much they’ve been through together, and Violet’s comment about reminding her of her impact every day is exactly why we need more deeply wholesome female friendships on TV.
At the same time, this ending feels suitable for Sylvie and Matt—they have waited, they’ve been through a lot together, and it’s high time that two people get the kind of happy ending that we could rely on with the belief that it’ll last. It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out in the next few episodes, and with the condensed episode count, but at the very least, we can have hope that it’ll be adorable to watch.
Chicago Fire “Barely Gone” is the kind of return episode that’s easy to expect from this show—action-packed and overflowing with emotions. While it also leaves emotions a little all over the place, concluding with a speech from Chief Boden cements it like a welcoming, hopeful embrace. A place where, even if things burn, the way these characters care about each other will put out all forms of fire.
Now streaming on NBC and Peacock: What are your thoughts on Chicago Fire’s “Barely Gone?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©(Photo by: Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC)