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Chicago Fire - Madmen and Fools - Review

30 Oct 2014

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“We all get invested, but there’s a line you can’t cross, okay? Don’t get involved.”

First, I want to talk about the new cast photo that was released. Yes, all of the major characters are included. I was surprised to see Sylvie included, as she is still a recurring character. Newhouse, on the other hand, was not included. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, or maybe Newhouse should be worried…

I’ll always be honest in these reviews, so I feel obligated to say I didn’t really care for this week’s episode. Unfortunately, I think it’s because Casey’s “Knight in Shining Armor” story took center stage, and I hate to say that Casey has not been captivating as of late.

What I was really hoping for early on this season was a lot of Casey/Severide scenes, and I think we’ve had one or two. Casey just hasn’t been the lead he should be and I hope it’s turned around soon.

Okay, ranting over.

Picking up where last week’s story left off, Casey is still fighting his sister Christy’s battle. Casey wants Christy to fight her soon-to-be ex-husband Jim for more support, and she just wants to let it go and move on.
Casey approaches Newhouse for a good divorce attorney and of course, he delivers. When Christy still says she doesn’t want to pursue, Matt can’t let it go and tells Newhouse to dig deeper.

“Dig deep enough, sooner or later, you are going to find a body.”

Oh Newhouse, only you (a burned spy) can charm Connie. He uses her computer (maybe because she has access to files?) and gets info on Jim’s new squeeze, Carrie, who apparently has a warrant out for her arrest. Casey blackmails Jim into giving Christy the money she and Violet deserve. Good for them, but that story line was boring.

On the first call of the week, a little boy has his head stuck in the balcony railing. When the mom protests having him taken to the hospital, Sylvie insists on taking him anyway. The boy is taken away from his mom at the hospital, as there is a past record of abuse.

The mom, Mrs. Keating, stops by the house to explain how she fought for her son and got rid of her abusive husband. She asks Severide and Sylvie for help and Severide harshly tells her it’s not their problem. I was so impressed with the way Sylvie handled the whole situation this week. Instead of letting people walk all over her, she stepped it up and told Severide he was wrong.

Of course, Severide warns Sylvie to not get involved, because of Shay. He brings up the suicide case that both Shay and Dawson dealt with last season. Sylvie tells him to be human being, and they go to help the mom. I really did think (and hope) that Severide would find his way back to normal through time spent with Casey and/or Dawson. I’d still like to see that, but I also absolutely loved his time with Sylvie this week. I really think she’s getting to him, and I see a real friendship (maybe more? One day?) growing.

Sylvie really stepped it up this episode. I think letting go of her fiancé helped her realize that she is tough and strong and able to thrive in Chicago. I’ll admit, I didn’t care for her at first and was skeptical with her clearly being Shay’s replacement. I’m pleasantly surprised with her character and love the way she now fits into the house. I’ve said for weeks I hope she sticks around for a while, but now, I hope she sticks around for good. According to the new cast banner, she might be doing just that.

Sylvie and Severide had a lot of screen time together this episode, and I have to say, I absolutely loved it. I’ve said it before, I really like the chemistry between these two (again, not necessarily romantic chemistry, though I’m not opposed). He even asks her to go to Vegas with the squad (and by that of course, I just mean Severide, because everybody else bailed). I was mad at her for saying no, but fine. If the writers want to develop that a bit more, I’ll trust them.

The wonderful subplots of the week:

Peter takes Newhouse up on the extra job offer. After shift, Newhouse and Peter pull up to a sketchy place, and Newhouse tells Mills to keep the car running and call him if anyone comes. Moments later, shots are fired and Newhouse comes running to the car carrying a dog. So, totally normal after-hours gig. Basically, Newhouse has this sketchy side business that pays him in cash, so I’m betting illegal. Or at least, highly frowned upon.

When Mouch, Cruz, and Otis see the giant wad of cash Peter gets from his job with Newhouse, they want in. Newhouse’s face was priceless. He’s clearly not letting any of them in on a job, ever. But can you imagine? It would be hilarious!

Ex-job titles in the running for Newhouse:
1. Burned spy
2. Bounty hunter

Later, we briefly see Newhouse at home with his daughter. He’s looking for his phone, and realizes he left it in the car. It was at that moment I knew something bad would happen. Thankfully he’s not killed, though his sketchy business may lead him to that point (I’m hoping not).

I really believe that you don’t know how much you love a character until that character is in danger. Needless to say, I really love Newhouse. Can we do away with the random nobodies on Squad and focus more on Newhouse? And bring back Clark? Ah, wishful thinking.

I was impressed with how Casey handled Dawson as the candidate this episode. He kept it completely professional and even reminded a complaining Dawson that she needed to go to Herrmann. I don’t see this professionalism lasting long, but it was nice at least for now.

Herrmann basically sidelines Dawson during their first call, and then puts Dawson through some crazy training at the house, something he calls the Christopher Herrmann School of Firefighting. Dawson is not enjoying it, to say the least. In my favorite line of the episode, a frustrated Dawson yells to Peter, “I have a fiancé I can’t marry and a mentor who’s treating me like a child!” I forget sometimes that Peter and Dawson were once a thing. I love their chemistry, and I’d like to see them together more.

On the second call, Dawson gets to actually do her job. Scratch that, it seems she wanted to do her old job. Am I reading too much into this? Her first instinct seemed to be the victim who needed medical attention, and in that moment, it was clear she missed being a paramedic. Well I miss her being a paramedic too! I love Sylvie, but oh how I would love to see Dawson and Mills paramedics together.

And finally, congratulations on the weirdest closing scene I have seen, maybe ever. Let me just re-paint this picture for you. A random girl walks up to the craps table, stands right next to Kelly (but doesn’t look at him), says two words to him, and walks away. Kelly asks her to come back and play and she does, with a stroke of beginner’s luck. So naturally, she and Kelly start making out just because. Totally normal.

Who is this girl, why is she kissing a complete stranger, and why should I care about her? It was just weird.


What did you think about the episode? Will Dawson continue on the firefighter path? What would turn around Casey’s lackluster story line?


About the Author - Meghan Reynolds
A Colorado native, Meghan was born a raised a Denver Broncos fan. Aside from football, she loves storytelling, whether it be movies, television, books, or music. Some of her favorite shows of the past and present include LOST, Friends, The Office, Scandal, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire. She is excited to be reviewing two of those shows for SpoilerTV, Chicago PD and Chicago Fire.

27 comments:

  1. Great review! I didn't care for this weeks episode, either. I was kind of bored. The only part I enjoyed was Mills and Newhouse going undercover. I thought it was hilarious when Newhouse came running out with the dog. I hope he gets to stick around because I am completely sucked into his story.

    I would have loved to see Mills and Dawson as paramedics together. I wasn't a fan of them as a couple, but I love their friendship. I wish they would bring it back. I think Dawson will eventually go back to being a paramedic, but they'll move Mills back to squad and have her partner with Silvie.

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  2. Bertha Strongham30 October 2014 at 01:22

    I am in agreement, this show needs to light a fire under itself....they are stuck in a rut. If they are not careful, they will lose the momentum that they have built up with these tired storylines.

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  3. Bertha Strongham30 October 2014 at 01:23

    I really like Serinda Swan...she is not bad.

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  4. Great review. I agree with you on pretty much all points. I'm glad I'm not the only one who immediately thought Dawson might be missing being a paramedic when she stepped in at the second call. I can't see her sticking with being a firefighter. Not because she's not capable, but her relationship with Casey makes things too complicated and they already used a loophole to keep her at 51.


    I'm also really happy to see I'm not the only one enjoying the Severide/Brett stuff (and just Brett in general)!

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  5. serinda swan was the girl Kelly was kissing. If it keeps him away from Erin for a while I say I'll ship it. I want Erin and Jay to bond. I think sylvie is a main character, don't care for her. They can put her with Severide for all I care to keep them both away from Erin and Jay on CPD

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  6. Honestly, I didn't love this week's episode either... I mean the last 3 have been good, but not up to the caliber that I'm expecting for this season :/ I really enjoyed your review, and I agree wholeheartedly with wanting to 'do away with the random nobodies on Squad...' we've gone through so many promising characters, and I still cry at the fact that Mils is gone- man I hope he gets some sort of 'second chance'- like Severide did, in a way. Remember how he would have been out for a year, but thanks to Reneé it was just 4 short weeks? We know that Mills is Severide's favorite, no ex-sqaud member D: so maybe he can step up for Mills like the way Reneé stepped up for him! As the author might say 'wishful thinking'
    I am curious (not jumping for joy excited) to see what's in store for this crossover, I have a feeling it will be 'police dominated' though... but who knows!
    Awesome Review!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great review, Meghan. I'm glad someone else would like Clark to come back. And I like Newhouse too.


    They're spending too much time on personal stuff since Dawson and Casey got together. I'm with you in wanting to see more Casey/Severide scenes. I also think that Dawson and Peter had much better chemistry. I keep hoping she and Casey will break up.It would be much better all around.


    I also felt that Dawson wanted to do her old job. I've always felt that that was her real calling.


    I thought the scene at the end with that girl was really weird too. You just know something's coming.

    ReplyDelete
  8. She's listed as being in a major arc (although she's only down for two episodes right now.) Do a google search under her name if you want more info. I don't want to list spoilers here.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks I already know how long she staying. I instagrammed Serinda, she's really nice and replies back. So she told how long she filming for. So that is why I said little while.

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  10. Thanks! I loved everything Newhouse too, that dog was great! I think there still might be a chance to see Dawson and Mills as paramedics together. I just get this feeling that she won't be a firefighter forever. Then again, I don't think he'll be a paramedic forever either.


    Yes! Dawson/Severide scenes need to happen. These two were impacted the most with Shay's death, and we have yet to see them talk about it. Not okay.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love Serinda Swan on Graceland, and I have no doubt that she'll be a great addition here. I just thought the way she was introduced was weird.

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  12. Exactly. Momentum is huge. I can't help but compare it to PD, and I realize PD is still pretty new, but it just has a pace and momentum that Fire doesn't have. They need to pick it up! I'm hoping the crossover episode in a few weeks will help.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks! I'm glad I'm not the only one who that that either. And I agree, I don't think it will be because she can't handle it. Casey and their weird situation will factor into this somehow, it's just a matter of time.

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  14. Ha! I agree. Keep Erin away from Kelly (though I think it's safe to say that one is done), and Sylvie away from Jay. I touched on it in a PD review, but I think that Erin's job offer will let her explore what are hopefully feelings for Jay.

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  15. Thanks! And I agree, it hasn't been what I thought it would be. We really have had a lot of promising characters. I think it's because Clark was so promising that he's gone, because I think he is the lead on another show this season...


    And yes, why can't Mills be magically healed? But, as much as I loved him on Squad, I really like him as a paramedic.


    I have to admit I'm very near "jumping for joy excited" for the crossover. I love that these shows exist in the same universe, and the characters blend very well together. And I'm okay with it being police dominated, I think the PD cast is one of the strongest casts on network TV.

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  16. Thanks!


    WAY too much time on personal Dawson/Casey, great observation. I don't want them to break up, but I would like to see them spend time with people other than each other (Casey/Severide, Dawson/Mills).


    I think it's her calling too. She's just a natural!

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  17. Bertha Strongham1 November 2014 at 00:30

    She was better in Breakout Kings. Graceland for me is a ho hum show now....

    Definitely she will be a great addition to the cast....however, I am sure it will be a short lived one.

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  18. Serina Swan is quite a guest star, so chances are good that Severide and Erin are not an item any time soon. :-) I agree with everything else..

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  19. Read it will be for about 6 episodes

    ReplyDelete
  20. Bertha Strongham1 November 2014 at 19:36

    Does anyone know what happened to that army guy who was a fire fighter and was almost put in jail last year because of his wife?

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  21. He left the show to star in his own show Agent X. It originally didn't get picked up when they had the renewal upfronts in May. Just saw last night that the network ordered episodes, his character I think is working at another firehouse.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Bertha Strongham2 November 2014 at 01:37

    Thanks!

    I saw that his show got picked up, but did not realize that it precluded him from being on Fire.

    For what it worth, he is definitely missed on Fire, but his new show looks wayyyyyyyyy more exciting!

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  23. May I say "I told you so"? Nah, I loved Sylvie from the get-go. The bond with Severide I wanted to happen, happened. She started pretty soft and I was really pleased with her burst with the guy in that office, good character development so far.


    Loved the Newhouse plot and I'm intrigued by his last scene. Yet another week of "The Adventures of Perfect Casey," boring. I also got that paramedic nostalgia from Dawson, she's adorable. Herrmann irritated me a little bit this week, but I get his reasons.


    I liked the episode mostly because of Sylvie, but I agree it's been lacking for a while. Anyways, thanks for the review!


    PS- The crossover looks A-MA-ZING. Can't wait.

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  24. Reading this has made me a little more excited for the cross- They usually are pretty good- i will admit- even though I have stopped watching Chicago PD for the most part. I really miss Mills on Squad, I think Severide does too- even though he hasn't said it [yet]. I think Mills misses it too quite honestly, and almost would like to see him 'day dream' (for lack of a better term) about his days as a firefighter- I think seeing him reminisce would be kind of cool. I feel like PD has a strong cast, but so does Fire, it would be stronger if they quit dropping characters, you know? I like PD's consistency.

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  25. Oh you are missing out! I recommend picking PD back up. PD is more consistent with characters. As a whole, I also like that cast more.


    I think we will see Mills in a firefighting uniform before the season's end. Though I do have to admit, I'm okay if we don't. I really like him as a paramedic!

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  26. Hah! Yes, you may. She has had great character development, I've loved it.


    Yes, definitely weirdest character introduction. "The Adventures of Perfect Casey" couldn't have said it better myself! The problem with Casey is that his character is only one-dimensional. We need more depth.


    I can't wait for the crossover either! I don't think the Fire cast will be involved too much, mostly PD. Which is fine by me!

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  27. I really hope they will find away for Mills to get around his condition. I feel like I'll be used to him as a paramedic by the time they switch him back, if you do at all. I love him as both too- I just like him more as a firefighter and on squad since we saw how excited he was to finally make it you know? Man these conversations are fun! 😊 thanks for taking the time to talk to me! It's hard to imagine that this season will go until May! Such a long way off! Haha!

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