Chicago Fire 12×13 “Never Say Goodbye” Spoilers Ahead
I started Chicago Fire because I was intrigued by the relationships, but I stayed because of the characters, with Eamonn Walker’s Chief Boden at the top of the list. In most reviews and features, I’ve often referred to him as the heart of Firehouse 51, and that much is still accurate, even while he’s no longer there. They are a family because of the admiration and kindness he’s shown them, and they’ll undoubtedly continue to be because of everything he’s given. Still, even this temporary goodbye hurts.
Chicago Fire 12×13 “Never Say Goodbye” underlines that this isn’t goodbye, and for once, we could believe them. We know that while Walker is stepping down, the character is still looking out for his family, ensuring that some of the frustrating scenarios we’ve seen in the past two seasons die down a bit. At the same time, the episode drops two massive confessions, which could lead to riveting narrative arcs in Season 13.
Chicago Fire 12×13 “Never Say Goodbye” Proves That Boden Is Firehouse 51’s Heart
It’s always rewarding as a viewer when a beloved character gets the recognition and kindness they deserve. It’s satisfying to see them stand in a small office with the people they adore and hear how they’ve changed lives. For so long, people have walked in there needing something from Boden, but this time, they’re giving him all they have instead. Life is so short and fragile that we often forget how important it is for people to know they’re adored. Of all the characters in Chicago Fire, Chief Boden deserves this treatment the most. He deserves to hear that his family appreciates him as much as he cares for them. He deserves to know that he’s changed lives here.
In a world where they see death and destruction every day—in an episode where he physically watched a man fall right in front of him—it’s crucial to know that he isn’t failing. It’s vital for Boden to see that he’s part of the light. And to simultaneously give him a scene that shows him the man is alive, too, well—there’s just so much hope in that, and Chicago Fire isn’t always full of hope. So, it’s fitting that when Boden is involved, it’s all hope and joy and so much light that you just know things will be okay. He’s a worthy character, and this is undeniably the show’s most worthy exit.
Pregnancy Proposals and Brother Reveals?
Chicago Fire 12×13 “Never Say Goodbye” takes Severide from, “Hey, I’ve been thinking about starting a family” to stunned silence because Damon is his brother. This arc is miles better than the fan predictions that Damon was his kid, and the episode shows that maybe conversations could matter for his character arc. It’s a good thing he and Stella don’t go into a surprise pregnancy because their jobs aren’t suited for that. They need to think things through. They need to have conversations. Stella needs to decide whether she wants that for her body, and she needs to come to it on her terms. So, we’re taking a solid step in his decision to propose it, and the disclosure that he understands there’s so much more to what he’s asking gives her the agency to sit with it.
Further, this scenario with Damon could go many ways. It doesn’t seem like the show is interested in vilifying him anymore, but there are still numerous skeletons in his closet that they need to look at and disentangle. Season 13 is going to be full of a great deal of digging, which will be great for all characters if the show allows more of these honest conversations to come to the surface.
In Love and Running From It All
It was never going to be fully casual with Carver and Violet. What often starts as a one-time thing quickly leads to something more, becoming more prominent than either party ever intended. Yet, in this situation, they both hold on to a lot of pain that the other isn’t aware of. Carver knows that Violet is still grieving, but she knows very little about his past because she’s consistently keeping him at arm’s length. It’s entirely understandable why Violet does this because the trauma she knows is both still very new and horrifically challenging to overcome. She’s never going to stop grieving Hawkins entirely because that’s not how loss works. We don’t get over grief; we grow around it, yet Violet is still stopping herself because everything still undoubtedly hurts.
So, when she falsely believes that Carver lashed out on the call because of his feelings for Kidd, he throws all his frustrations in her face and confesses that he’s in love with her. This is the kind of angst that I’m always here for when it comes to romantic pairings, and even though it ends with Carver avoiding her again, like with Kelly and Stella, it could lead to a compelling place where they understand that talking to each other matters. Violet needs to let him open up to her, and he has to give her the space to continue growing with her grief. That’s the only way this relationship will work, and it’s easy to want it to when Hanako Greensmith and Jake Lockett bring outstanding performances in moments like this.
Chicago Fire’s Season 12 is one for the books, really. It’s emotionally charged, full of the show’s typical drama, and a threading heart that ensures we’ll come back next season with our feelings in our throats still. When the show is good, it’s excellent, and this finale is a prime example of how that occurs.
Now streaming on Peacock: What are your thoughts on Chicago Fire 12×13 “Never Say Goodbye?” Let us know in the comments below.
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