Kelly Severide is here to stay in Chicago Fire season 13, which is great news, but the series is already doing a disservice to his story after one major cliffhanger from the season 12 finale. Taylor Kinney has played Severide, the lieutenant in charge of Squad 3, since season 1. He is one of the few remaining original cast members left following Eamonn Walker's exit ahead of Chicago Fire season 13, and, hopefully, Kinney will be around for many seasons to come. However, while celebrating Kinney's staying after speculation he was leaving, one can also criticize how the premiere handled Severide's season 13 arc.
Many believed the end was in sight for Kinney throughout the procedural drama's last two seasons. The actor took a leave of absence towards season 11's end, and it was unclear if Severide would ever return to Firehouse 51. Thankfully, he did in season 12. Still, theories that Kinney would be the next to leave Chicago Fire persisted. Perhaps now those rumors can fade as Severide is back for season 13. The premiere set up a major story arc concerning him and his long-lost half-brother, Jack Damon, but the episode also failed to satisfyingly pay off season 12's cliffhanger.
Chicago Fire Season 13 Skips The Immediate Aftermath Of Severide Learning The Truth About Damon
Severide & Damon Are Friendly Immediately
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Chicago Fire Season 13 Cast | Role |
|---|---|
Taylor Kinney | Kelly Severide |
Miranda Rae Mayo | Stella Kidd |
David Eigenberg | Christopher Herrmann |
Christian Stolte | Randall "Mouch" McHolland |
Joe Minoso | Joe Cruz |
Daniel Kyri | Darren Ritter |
Hanako Greensmith | Violet Mikami |
Jocelyn Hudon | Lyla "Lizzie" Novak |
Dermot Mulroney | Dom Pascal |
Jake Lockett | Sam Carver |
Michael Bradway | Jack Damon |
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Severide learned that Damon was Benny Severide's son during the season 12 finale, making Severide and Damon half-brothers in Chicago Fire. The reveal was as shocking to Kinney's character as it was to viewers, but the episode ended before the audience could see the true extent of Severide's feelings on the matter. One would think that the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere would resolve this cliffhanger. However, the episode's six-week time jump meant that fans never got to see the immediate aftermath of Severide discovering he was related to Damon.
Severide might have been absolutely thrown off by the revelation, resulting in some awkward tension between him and Damon. Or he could have been elated. Whatever the case, viewers will never know because the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere skipped over the most interesting aspect of the new development. Six weeks go by, and Severide and Damon are buddy-buddy. Severide is looking out for his younger brother, while Damon is trying to learn as much as he can from his older brother. As a result, Chicago Fire season 12's cliffhanger feels unresolved.
Will Chicago Fire Ever Revisit Damon & Severide's Conflict
Drama Is Inevitable In Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire season 13 can redeem itself if it properly handles the rest of the "Severide and Damon are half-brothers" arc. Meaning, more conflict needs to arise. After episode 1, the two are on good terms and happy about having a brother. This must end (at least, partly) and it likely will as the One Chicago universe is nothing if not dramatic.
Severide and Damon don't have to hate one another. In fact, it's wonderful to see the two brothers getting along so well at Firehouse 51. However, it doesn't feel earned because the season 13 premiere didn't show Severide's immediate reaction to learning about his connection with Damon. Chicago Fire forwent the awkward part of Damon's confession, and he and Severide are now friendly and comfortable with one another. The good news is that season 13, episode 1, also featured teases of a future conflict between the two Chicago Fire characters.
How Damon's Arrival Impacts Severide's Arc In Chicago Fire Season 13
Severide Lies To The New Captain About His Relationship With Damon
With Eamonn Walker gone, the producers had to find Chief Boden's replacement in Chicago Fire season 13, and they landed on Dom Pascal, played by Dermot Mulroney. Firehouse 51 had mixed reactions to the new chief during the premiere. While Severide was initially quite welcoming of Chief Pascal and his new rules, one conversation immediately ruined their good working relationship (at least, on Severide's end).
Chief Pascal mentioned how it was against the rules for family members to work in the same firehouse, referring to Severide and his wife, Stella Kidd. However, Chief Pascal let it slide because they have demonstrated they can work without letting their feelings interfere. Going forward, Severide and Stella working together won't be a problem. But Severide and Damon being on the same shift likely will.
Severide didn't come clean to Chief Pascal about the fact that he and Damon were half-brothers during their conversation. Since the two Chicago Fire season 13 characters haven't worked together long enough, they haven't proven themselves in Chief Pascal's eyes. He will undoubtedly transfer Damon to another firehouse if (and when) he learns he is related to Severide. Given that everyone in Firehouse 51 knows the truth except for Chief Pascal, it's only a matter of time before the truth comes out in Chicago Fire.
