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In the Season 13 finale of NBC's hit drama, Chicago Fire, the firehouse's boss is accused of a heinous act. Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) is the prime suspect in Robert Franklin's accident, and while it's quite likely that he did it, Severide (Taylor Kinney) believes he is innocent. Severide's actions in the previous episode prove that he doesn't think Pascal tampered with Franklin's vehicle, even when all the evidence suggests that. However, he starts coming alive to the fact that Pascal might not be as innocent in the episode airing on Wednesday, May 21. "There’s a lot of mysteries that need to be solved and cards turned over to get this done, and I think Severide is a man on a mission to help Pascal,” showrunner Andrea Newman told TV Line of the season-ender, which finds Severide on a truth-seeking mission. She added:

"But he can’t help but...

Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) did not end the penultimate episode of Chicago Fire season 13 on a high note. The 51 chief was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) was tasked with clearing his name. Whether or not Severide will be successful remains to be seen, but we think Pascal will be done at 51 regardless of the legal outcome.

"The Bad Guy" was an important episode in multiple regards. It laid the groundwork for the finale, and allowed Severide to wield arson investigation skills that have been tucked away for the majority of the season. The biggest takeaway of the episode, however, was Pascal's backstory. We were introduced to the character as someone with a controversial reputation in Miami, but we got through almost the entire season without an explanation as to why. "The Bad Guy" finally gave us the answer.

Pascal used to work for a man named Hendricks,...

"The Bad Guy" is a change of pace from the episode that preceded it. "Cut Me Open" may sound morbid on the surface, but the Chicago Fire story revolved around the personal lives of two of its most beloved characters: Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney).

"The Bad Guy," on the other hand, is an investigation into the complicated career of Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), and the crime he may have committed using Cfd tools. Spoilers ahead!

The episode kicked off with some general 51 housekeeping. Kidd and Severide discussed how sad they were by the fact that they didn't become parents, and how they wanted to focus on work in the meantime. Then there was Herrmann (David Eigenberg), who made quite the awkward discovery as he was preparing to take his chief exam.

Apparently, Herrmann needs a recommendation from his chief before he can officially take the exam.

One Chicago has done an excellent job of cultivating different flavors for its three shows. Chicago Fire is the ambitious, multi-faceted thriller that offers death-defying feats, Chicago Med is the talky one-location drama, and Chicago Pd offers intrigue and grim investigations. Every once in a while, though the thematic interests of these shows align, and that is where we will find ourselves on May 14.

The promos for all three shows have been released, and we couldn't help but notice that each of them feature nearly identical stories involving corruption and a quest to expunge the person who's abusing their power. Chicago Med is playing this out with Hayes (Brendan Hines) after its alleged the doctor sexually harassed Cardiothoracic Resident Naomi Howard (Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut).

Dr. Hayes has clearly determined that he's above punishment, which is what makes the upcoming case in "Baby Mine..." such a big deal. Dr. Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson...

Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) hit a personal and professional low point when his wife Monica (KaDee Strickland) was killed in Chicago Fire season 13. The character spiraled, looking for someone to blame, and acted recklessly on the job despite the consequences it had on his safety and career. We thought the worst was behind him, but the promo for "The Bad Guy" suggests otherwise.

The episode title definitely caught our eye when we first glimpsed it, but we did not expect Pascal to be the one positioned as the titular character. The promo shows that the man responsible for causing the car accident that took Monica Pascal's life gets caught up in another freak accident. Or at least, it resembles a freak accident.

Pascal is prime suspect in attempted murder

It turns out, the fuel line on the man's car had been cut, and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) discovers a...

Dom Pascal's (Dermot Mulroney) world has not been the same since Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland) died in an unfortunate road accident. The death of his wife turned Dom's world upside down, and the problem was that there was no one to blame for it. After spending a lot of time trying to find the evidence to implicate the other driver involved in the accident, it seemed like Pascal had accepted the reality of the situation and moved on. However, a sneak peek of Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 21, "The Bad Guy," hints that nothing was as resolved as everyone believed. In the episode airing next Wednesday, May 14, Severide (Taylor Kinney) investigates a car fire and uncovers surprising evidence. Meanwhile, Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) strengthens her bond with Natalie during a road trip, and Violet (Hanako Greensmith) receives a career opportunity after being featured in a local newspaper.

Chicago Fire established in...

The men and women of Firehouse 51 will be back on the job for the 2025-26 TV season. Chicago Fire has been renewed for a 14th season by NBC. The show's 13th season of 22 episodes finishes airing on May 21st.

A first-responder drama series, Chicago Fire stars Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg, Christian Stolte, Joe Minoso, Miranda Rae Mayo, Daniel Kyri, Hanako Greensmith, Jake Lockett, Jocelyn Hudon, and Dermot Mulroney. Eamonn Walker and KaDee Strickland recur. This series revolves around the personal and professional lives of the firefighters, rescue squad, and paramedics of Chicago Firehouse 51. Leaders like Battalion Chief Dom Pascal (Mulroney) and Lt. Kelly Severide (Kinney) and their team risk their lives week in and week out to save and protect the citizens of the Windy City. The series also features crossovers with Chicago Med and...

Chicago Fire has decided to show Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) the door. The character has grown steadily in popularity over the last three seasons, but now, he only has three episodes left to wrap up his story. It's a tough decision, and one we feel like could have been avoided given how integral he's become to the show.

In a perfect world, we would not cut any Chicago Fire characters from the show. They all bring something unique and exciting to the table. But that is not the world we live in, and decided to put ourselves in the tough decision of making a cut. And here are two of the people who could have taken Carver's place on the chopping block. Not an endorsement, but we think we have pretty good cases.

Jack Damon had a natural end point in "Post Mortem" Chicago Fire -- "Post-Mortem" Episode 13018 --...

Chicago Fire has been an intense place in the past couple of months. The tragedy which befell Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), as the show killed off his wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland), and how he has reacted to it since has been at the fore. The return of one of its key characters, Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker), has also stolen the spotlight on the show with minds turning away from one interesting storyline. Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and her husband, Kelly Severide's (Taylor Kinney) relationship has been a cornerstone of the show for sometime now. The couple have long since discussed the prospect of expanding their family, but that has been held off for sometime. But that seems set to change.

Having married in Season 10, Episode 22, "The Magnificent City of Chicago", Stellla and Severide have discussed the prospect of having a baby in Season 12, with Stella picking out adoption...

Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) is an inherently likable character. She's loyal, caring, and she does her absolute best in the field as a medic. She is someone we have been rooting for since she debuted on Chicago Fire in season 8. And yet, Violet can't seem to catch a break when it comes to her love life.

Sam Carver (Jake Lockett), the character who's had an on/off romance with Violet over the past season, will be leaving Chicago Fire. We don't know when, but it is safe to assume the character will be exiting before the season 13 finale. This is a devastating blow to fans who have been invested in the Violet and Carver romance, and held out hope that they would figure things out.

Carver's impending departure means this will never happen. It's frustrating in a vacuum, but it gets even more frustrating when placed in the context of...

Chicago Fire is gearing up for the biggest episode of season 13 thus far. The way the episode "Post Mortem" has been hyped by actors and producers, you'd think it was a season finale. A character will be caught in the rubble of a collapsed building, and may very well die as a result of their injuries.

To make matters even worse, Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) is coming in to investigate what went wrong, and all signs point to the former 51 Chief firing whoever he deems responsible for the tragedy. That's potentially two Chicago Fire characters gone in the span of a single episode. Naturally, we have some thoughts.

We don't know who will end up going down in "Post Mortem," but these are the most likely candidates based on the context of season 13.

Christopher Herrmann Chicago Fire -- "Post-Mortem" Episode 13018 -- Pictured: David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann -- (Photo by:...

Eamonn Walker has really make a ruckus when it comes to his impending Chicago Fire return. The actor already had eyes on him, due to the fact that he hasn't appeared on the show in a year, but his recent Deadline interview has drummed up lots of excitement (and concern) about the episode "Post Mortem."

We knew Walker's character, Wallace Boden, would be all business coming back to Firehouse 51, and would be forced to contend with a dire situation, but the actor made it clear that the stakes are higher than we initially thought. Especially when it comes to the future of Chief Pascal (Dermot Mulroney).

Eamonn Walker claimed "heads will roll" Chicago Fire -- "Barely Gone" Episode 12001 -- Pictured: Eamonn Walker as Chief Wallace Boden -- (Photo by: Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC)

Pascal has taken over Boden's role at 51, but he may cross the line in "Post Mortem.

Chicago Fire may have just suffered a devastating death in the form of Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland), but the series is not through with fans. The upcoming episode, "Post Mortem," has been largely sold on the strength of returning character Wallace Boden, but the actor who plays Boden, Eamonn Walker, let the cat out of the bag during a recent Deadline interview.

Walker revealed that a Chicago Fire "favorite" was going to be in danger throughout the episode, and that his character's involvement will be predicated on what happens to this firefighter. He didn't make it clear which firefighter was at risk, despite Deadline's best attempts to get the inside scoop. "Yeah, I can’t tell you," Walker asserted. "Nice try, though. It’s somebody you know and love... You might even freak out."

Herrmann seems the most likely candidate Chicago Fire -- "Too Close" Episode 13015 -- Pictured: David Eigenberg...

"Post Mortem" is not the title of an easygoing and low risk episode. The phrase, which means an "examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death," is going to dictate the pace and the tone of the upcoming Chicago Fire episode in which Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) returns.

There's been a lot of anticipation surrounding the episode, which airs Wednesday, April 16. We're all excited to see Boden after his season 12 departure, and we're curious to see how the former Chief deals with his troubled successor, Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). These elements are more than enough to sustain a compelling episode. But apparently, there's more.

Eamonn Walker gears fans up for a huge loss Chicago Fire -- "My Lucky Day" Episode 905 -- Pictured: Eamonn Walker as Wallace Boden -- (Photo by: Adrian S. Burrows Sr./NBC)

Walker recently discussed the episode with Deadline, and he revealed that a...

Chicago FireSeason 13 has already seen a key character death in the tragic demise of Chief Dom Pascal's (Dermot Mulroney) wife, Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland), but it appears another major tragedy is on the way, this time involving one favorite character. When the beloved procedural returns next week with "Post Moterm," the show will see the return of former Firehouse 51 Chief, Wallace Boden (Eamon Walker), who'd be returning to investigate the cause of a deadly fire hazard affecting one of the station's core firefighters. While there's no knowing for sure who might be the victim of the accident, an exclusive image courtesy of Deadline might have revealed the identity of the firefighter.

According to the synopsis for Episode 18, "Deputy Commissioner Boden returns to Firehouse 51 to investigate a disastrous firefight and the surrounding mystery that left one of their own in peril." In an exclusive coverage of the episode, Deadline teases that...

Welcome back, Wallace Boden! Eamonn Walker returns in the April 16 episode of Chicago Fire, and NBC has aired a promo for it. (Walker was a series regular from the beginning of the show until the Season 12 finale. This is his first return since his exit.) Walker’s return comes in the next new episode, titled “Post-Mortem.” The promo offers a look at how the episode will be told in flashbacks and different perspectives. “Last night was every firefighter’s worst nightmare,” Boden says. “Go back to the beginning. I need to know exactly what went wrong. All I’m after is the truth.” Watch the promo for a look at the incident and more. This comes as Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), who replaced Boden at 51, is still significantly dealing with his grief after the shocking death of his wife, Monica (Kadee Strickland), in a car accident. “Boden hand-picked Pascal for this...

Dermot Mulroney's Chief Dom Pascal is currently consumed by grief in Chicago Fire Season 13. The aftermath of tragically losing his wife, Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland), has seen the Chief spiral out of control, with his emotional turmoil deepening after discovering he won't be able to get her justice. Pascal's growing emotional instability increasingly puts him at risk of making a professional blunder, which will happen in a matter of time. As revealed in the synopsis for Episode 18, "Post Mortem," a rescue operation overseen by Pascal will turn disastrous, prompting the return of Forehouse 51's former Chief, Boden (Eamonn Walker), to investigate the matter. Mulroney has now teased an intense encounter with Boden.

A little history exists between the two men as Boden personally selected Pascal as his replacement before he proceeded to assume his newly promoted position as the Chicago Fire Department’s Deputy Commissioner. However, the two are not acquainted,...

Fans of Chicago Fire are not alien to shocking plot twists in the long-running procedural drama. However, very few could possibly have envisioned what the show did in Season 13, Episode 15, "Too Close." By the time that episode had aired, Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) had suffered a huge loss with the unexpected and tragic death of his wife, Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland). Grief is a journey and what has followed since is Chief Pascal walking that difficult path, losing a bit of control upon the realization that the individual involved in the accident that ultimately claimed his wife's life will not be prosecuted. So, what does the future hold for the chief of Firehouse 51?

Mulroney's Pascal joined Chicago Fire this season, after the departure of beloved former Chief, Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker), in Season 12. Boden is poised for a return soon, and this has raised some questions regarding how much...

Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) has become the de facto medic on Chicago Fire. It doesn't seem that long ago that she was being mentored by Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), but now, she's the one who is taking the reins and telling Lizzie Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) what to do in the field.

We've had some exciting Violet-focused episodes in recent memory, but "A Beast Like This" is, well, a different beast. It will put the medic's professional skillset to the test in a mystery setting, as she will be forced to unpack two cases that initially appear to be unrelated. "Just can't shake the feeling that we're missing something," she says during the episode promo.

Violet will head up two bizarre cases

It's rare that we get to see Violet in investigator mode. Cases like these are usually reserved for the likes of Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), and Novak takes notice...

Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) is spiraling. The chief has spent most of season 13 winning over even his toughest critics. He's proven to be a fair yet determined leader who is willing to do what he needs to in order to save lives. At least, he did. The death of Pascal's wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland), flipped these strengths on their head.

Pascal is no longer a steadying hand at Firehouse 51. He's impulsive, angry, and quick to put himself in harm's way. He's not exemplfying leadership behavior, and the investigation we know is coming in season 13 leads us to believe that his tenure as chief may not be much longer. Pascal could need a replacement, and these are the three most likely candidates.

Christopher Herrmann Chicago Fire -- "In The Rubble" Episode 13016 -- Pictured: David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

Herrmann (David Eigenberg) is the most obvious choice.

We all knew that Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) was going to be the focus of "In the Rubble." We had three weeks to watch and rewatch the promo for the Chicago Fire episode, which saw the once measured firefighter lashing out and acting irrationally. The episode wasted no time setting Pascal's conflict up, either.

"In the Rubble" opens with the revelation that Pascal tried to push for an investigation into the death of his wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland). He demanded accountability, even though the car crash was a pretty clear instance of a tragic accident. This did not stop the Chief, however. He decided the man who caused the crash should be punished. And he started acting more recklessly than ever before.

Pascal put up a decent front when he came back from two weeks leave. He told Firehouse 51 not to walk on eggshells around him and treat him normally,...

Chicago Fire and the One Chicago universe at large is no stranger to dishing out heartbreaking moments. Keeping with established tradition, the acclaimed procedural drama in Season 13, Episode 15, "Too Close," broke the hearts of viewers and Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), as the show killed off his wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland). Since that devastating news rocked Firehouse 51, the show has been on a three-week hiatus which will end with the March 26 episode, “In the Rubble.” A previously released sneak peek finds Pascal in a dire emotional state, and understandably so, with the chief seeking someone to blame for Monica's death.

Speaking in an interview with TV Insider, Mulroney previews how Pascal is handling the death of his wife, and the soul-shattering grief that has set in. Mulroney explains that while the chief does return to work, he is not handling his loss well. "Yeah, not well, I would say. He tries,...

We're all pretty invested in the idea of Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) becoming the 51 Firehouse Chief. He has the experience, he cares about the people he works with, and he's good at his job. The previous Chief, Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker), wanted it to be him, and current Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) is trying to mentor him. So what's the hold up?

Well, according to Mulroney, it's Herrmann himself. The character has all the skills needed, but he told TV Insider that he suspects there's something internal the firefighter is dealing with. "Herrmann’s like hot and cold," he explained. "He’s so unpredictable." He also explained how the relationship between Pascal and Herrmann is going to get increasingly complicated as season 13 progresses.

Herrmann's faith in Pascal will be shaken Chicago Fire -- "Too Close" Episode 13015 -- Pictured: David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC...

“He tries,” says Dermot Mulroney of his character, Chief Dom Pascal, in the aftermath of his wife Monica’s (KaDee Strickland) death. Chicago Fire returns with a new episode on March 26, “In the Rubble.” In it, in the face of adversity, Pascal searches for justice. Unsurprisingly, he’s not going to be doing well when it comes to dealing with his loss. Below, Mulroney talks Pascal’s grief, Eamonn Walker‘s return as Boden, and more. You were so good at the end of the last episode. It was so heartbreaking. Dermot Mulroney: Well, thank you. I must admit, I asked the producers when I took the job, “Please challenge me, make it really hard.” So they sure did. And of course, you remember what takes about two minutes on the television show takes really most of the day and a week and a half leading up to that moment to get there.

Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) may be a newcomer relative to the rest of the Chicago Fire cast, but he is front and center in the current season 13 storyline. He's had to contend with the death of his wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland), and suffice to say, he's not doing a great job.

The promo for the March 26 episode confirms that Pascal is letting grief get the best of him, and its compromising his ability to lead Firehouse 51. We have even seen characters like Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) voice concern for the longevity of his time at 51. This dilemma reminded us of another 51 character who came and went: Brett Dalton.

Pascal may be facing a transfer like Dalton Chicago Fire -- "Birds of Prey" Episode 1306 -- Pictured: Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal

Dalton, played by Jason Pelham, was brought in to replace Matt Casey...

We get why Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) didn't get promoted to Chief when Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) left Firehouse 51. The character didn't have the experience needed to do the job, nor did he really spend the time to prepare to take on such a responsibility.

It was slightly disappointing to see him get earmarked for the gig, only to have an outside, Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), come in, but the more time has passed, the more we understand why. We think the character is ready to embark on the next chapter of his career, though.

Herrmann passed the captain exam Chicago Fire -- "Too Close" Episode 13015 -- Pictured: David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

In season 13, Herrmann has taken more of a leadership role in the firehouse. He not only passed the captain exam, which is a huge feather in his cap, but he has worked directly under Pascal,...

We're not here to rag on Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). The character just lost his wife, and is spiraling in a pretty understandable manner. The interesting thing here, though, is timing. He lost his wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland), in the Chicago Fire episode "Too Close," and while we know what is around the corner courtesy of the promo, we have to wait three weeks before seeing just how bad Pascal gets.

What we do know is that Pascal will be paid a visit by Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) in the current season. The former chief of Firehouse 51 will be called upon to conduct an investigation after a 51 emergency call results in a house collapsing with a firefighter still inside.

Chief Pascal's career might be in trouble Chicago Fire -- "Relief Cut" Episode 13012 -- Pictured: (l-r) Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal, David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann -- (Photo by:...

Chicago Fire has been on another hiatus, but new episodes are coming.

We have only seen the first 15 episodes of Chicago Fire Season 13, meaning seven are left to debut.

The writers killed off an important character during the latest episode. It will have many repercussions later this spring.

As a reminder, Chief Dom Pascal’s wife died. Dermot Mulroney plays the new chief on the Chicago Fire cast.

KaDee Strickland played Monica Pascal, and the character died in a car accident.

Dom was called to the hospital, but he arrived too late. A saddened Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) greeted him with the bad news written all over her face.

Moving forward, the fallout from Monica’s death will gravely impact the rest of the Chicago Fire season.

What is the Chicago Fire return date for Season 13?

The next new episode of Chicago Fire debuts on Wednesday, March 26. It’s only...

It really seemed as though Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) had crossed the point of no return. The character had jeopardized his career, his family, and his future as a free man because of a decision he made in season one. Thankfully, he got out of it with a suspension and a slap on the wrist.

Part of the reason Cruz was able to avoid disaster was because he had Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) in his corner. The two men have had their differences over the years, but Severide advised him and helped ensure that the firefighter would fight to see another day. And we think Cruz has repaid the favor offscreen.

Cruz seemingly helped Stellaride's adoption process Chicago Fire -- "Bar Time" Episode 13014 -- Pictured: Joe Miñoso as Joe Cruz -- (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC)

The episode "Too Late" was notable because it contained the tragic death of...

Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman addressed why the series got rid of KaDee Strickland's Monica Pascal. 

Stickland's character was introduced to the NBC drama in Season 13 as the estranged wife of new fire chief Dom Pascal (played by Dermot Mulroney). 

Chief Pascal notably replaced Eamonn Walker's Battalion Chief Wallace Boden, who stepped away from the show after being a major character for its first 12 seasons on the air. 

Read full article on The Direct.

It doesn't come more lovable than Mouch (Christian Stolte) on Chicago Fire. He's one of the most consistent members of Firehouse 51, and his steady presence has helped to save countless lives over the last 13 seasons. 2025 has been a particularly rough period for the firefighter, though, and the latest batch of episodes has proved it.

Let's start with the One Chicago crossover. Mouch got into a spat with his wife, Chicago Pd standout Trudy Platt (Amy Morton), only to discover her gunned down during a chase. The character rushed to her side in the hospital, and was forced to stand by as she flatlined and came back multiple times. It's a devastating crossover to watch from his perspective, and one we thought would serve as an outlier for the Mouch stories to come.

Mouch was involved in two near-deadly accidents Chicago Fire -- "Too Close" Episode 13015 -- Pictured: (l-r) Christian Stolte as Randy .Mouch. McHolland,...

Chicago Fire killed off Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland). It was telegraphed from the promo, which we discussed at length, but the emotional impact of the death still hit hard. A big part of why was the reaction from Monica's husband, Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney).

The character was absolutely horrified to learn that his estranged wife had perished the very same night they were scheduled to have an anniversary dinner. It was a gut punch to end all gut punches, but it's something Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman felt was important for the show.

Pascal is traumatized by his wife's death Chicago Fire -- "Relief Cut" Episode 13012 -- Pictured: Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC)

Newman discussed the death during a recent interview with TV Insider. She claimed the trauma that Pascal suffers in the wake of his wife's death will set in motion...

The worst that could happen to Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) happened in Chicago FireSeason 13, Episode 15, "Too Close." Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland) was involved in a road accident that resulted in her death, totally wrecking Pascal's world. Since the new chief was introduced, it was established that his relationship with Monica was complicated with very high highs and very low lows. One moment they would be arguing to the point of divorce and the next they're all over each other. It was a very unstable relationship, but it was the only thing that kept Pascal stable. With that stability gone, Chicago Fire's showrunner Andrea Newman told TV Insider that Pascal is about to become unpredictable, which is what they were aiming for. "One of the first things we learned about our new Chief Pascal was that he and Monica had a very complicated relationship," Newman began. She added:...

"Too Close" was a very dramatic episode. There were lots of exciting developments, and plot points that will seemingly be fleshed out into bigger storylines in the future. The main focus of the episode, the thing NBC hinged their promo on, was the surprise death of a character.

Here's the thing: it wasn't very surprising. The promo focused on the emotional reaction of Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) when he discovered who died, and that narrowed the focus to basically one character: his wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland). She was the most obvious candidate, and it turned out to be her.

The show telegraphed Monica Pascal's death

Chicago Fire executed the death scene well, and Mulroney and company gave startling performances during the final few minutes of the episode. The problem lies in the way the death was telegraphed. It was always going to be Monica Pascal, and the show never...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 15 “Too Close.”] Firehouse 51 has just suffered a devastating loss, especially for its chief, Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). The latest Chicago Fire ended with the heartbreaking death of Pascal’s wife Monica (Kadee Strickland), in a car accident, as he waited for her in a restaurant for their anniversary dinner. The house responded to the call, but by the time Pascal got to the hospital, it was too late. Elsewhere in the episode leading into a brief hiatus (the show returns on March 26), Pascal urged Mouch (Christian Stolte) to think about his future as a lieutenant possibly away from 51 — the plan is for Herrmann (David Eigenberg) to become chief, but the man currently holding that position doesn’t seem so sure he wants it — and Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) were approved to become adoptive parents. Below, showrunner Andrea Newman answers our burning questions...

When the trailer for this week's episode of Chicago Fire was released, it was abundantly clear that tragedy was around the corner for Firehouse 51. While the preview hinted at it, it only became conclusive after Season 13, Episode 15, "Too Close," aired on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) loses his wife, Monica (portrayed by KaDee Strickland), to a nasty car accident. Chicago Fire is set to embark on a mini-hiatus, and when the show returns on March 26, audiences will get to see how Pascal is handling this loss. Ahead of the episode titled, "In the Rubble," NBC has released a sneak peek teasing the state of affairs.

Chicago Fire was a somber affair during "Too Close." The episode concluded with the death of Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland), the wife of Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). It was a shock to everyone within Firehouse 51, and it will no doubt inform the tone of upcoming episodes.

There was some good news in the episode, however. Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) were approach by an adoption worker and told that they had been officially approved to adopt a child! The couple found out early in the episode, and the moment they shared was pure catnip for Stellaride fans.

Stellaride has been approved for adoption

Stellaride Baby Incoming This Is Not A Drill This Is Real Its Happening...

Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) is in a bad way. The character suffered the loss of a lifetime during the episode "Too Close." The night he was supposed to celebrate his wedding anniversary, Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland) was killed in a massive car accident.

The episode ended with the character in tears, and understandably so. Pascal has been an even keeled character for most of season 13, but a loss so severe would get to anybody. We completely understand his grief. It's his aggression in the promo for the next Chicago Fire episode that has us concerned.

Pascal seeks revenge for his wife's death

The promo opens with Pascal being told that nobody was to blame for his wife's death. The look on his face makes it clear he doesn't care what his superiors have to say. We then see the Chief going after the man responsible for the car accident that claimed Monica,...

Chicago Fire teased a death, and it delivered. The episode "Too Close" saw the tragic demise of Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland) in a vicious car accident. Mouch (Christian Stolte) was the first on the scene, and he was the one who had to call Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) and tell him the bad news regarding his wife.

It's not a position anybody would want to be in. It was the culmination of a tense episode for Mouch and Chief Pascal, and the straw that might've broken the camel's back with regard to Mouch's future. Things don't look good for the veteran character, and we're here to unpack why.

Chief Pascal attempted to transfer Mouch Chicago Fire -- "Bar Time" Episode 13014 -- Pictured: Christian Stolte as Randy "Mouch" McHolland -- (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC)

Chief Pascal called Mouch into his office earlier in the episode and urged him...

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Wednesday’s Chicago Fire. Proceed at your own risk!

The promo for this week’s Chicago Fire touted that someone wouldn’t make it out alive, and, indeed, a member of Firehouse 51 lost someone close to them.

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Going into the episode — which is the last new one until March 26 — it seemed...

Chicago Fire had even more eyes on it than usual heading into "Too Late." The promo for the episode teased the possibility of a character dying, so the experience of watching subplots develop was a bit stressful.

The episode opened with Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) and a character we haven't seen in quite a while. His wife, Monica Pascal (KaDee Strickland) resurfaced after being away for a few weeks, and it made sense given the special occasion. The couple's wedding anniversary was coming up, and a reluctant Dom met with his sister-in-law to discuss dinner ideas. The annoyance was palpable.

Jack Damon gets into another work conflict Chicago Fire -- "Too Close" Episode 13015 -- Pictured: Michael Bradway As Jack Damon -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

We expected there to be a focus on Pascal, given his prioritization in the aforementioned promo. We didn't expect Jack Damon (Michael Bradway...

[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 15 “Too Close.”] The promo warned that someone wouldn’t make it out alive of the latest Chicago Fire, and it wasn’t lying. It had also teased a few possibilities: Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), Severide’s (Taylor Kinney) half-brother Damon (Michael Bradway), and Pascal’s (Dermot Mulroney) wife Monica (KaDee Strickland). So who was it? Well, there are possible anvils dropping before the title card for all three. Pascal’s talking about possibly retiring soon, which Monica doesn’t buy, and the couple discusses their upcoming anniversary and plans (her sister is throwing them a dinner party). Her kiss gets him to agree, and she remarks it’ll be a dark day when it doesn’t. Severide and Kidd undergo a home inspection for adoption. And Damon’s firehouse responds to a structure fire, he insists on continuing to search for possible victims when fellow firefighter...

We don't want to see anybody perish. There have been tons of shocking Chicago Fire deaths that have occurred over the years. We just put out a list compiling all of them. It's been a couple seasons since we've had to sit and process the idea that a mainstay of Firehouse 51 would be no more, and it looks like time has run out... for someone.

The promo for "Too Close" makes it disturbingly clear that somebody loses their life. We see characters in utter shock, at a hospital, so we thought we'd take stock of where Chicago Fire characters are at and point to a few of the most likely culprits when it comes to getting killed.

Here's who we came up with, from least likely to most:

Jack Damon Chicago Fire -- "Ride the Blade" Episode 13002 -- Pictured: (l-r) Michael Bradway as Damon, Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide --...

A new Chicago Fire TV promo has fans worried.

The hit firefighting drama threatened to kill off an important character during the upcoming episode.

Due to the way the previous episode ended, it has fans worried about Firefighter Sam Carver.

A roughly 13-second promo teased what to expect during the March 5 episode. Several key characters are in danger, raising the stakes for the night.

The promo footage begins with a scene at Chicago Med as a crying Violet emerges from a room. Pascal has a look of dismay on his face as he arrives at the hospital.

We then see Firefighter Jack Damon (Baby Severide) caught in a fire and then Lieutenant Stella Kidd saving someone from being hit by a car.

The footage is designed to make fans worry about many different characters, and it was successful.

Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 15 synopsis

“Kidd and Severide eagerly await big news...

Chicago Fire really knows how to catch us off guard with a character death. We recently ran a piece on all the firefighters who have died over the years, and one trend that we noticed is that there hasn't been a major death in a while. Well, we may have spoken too soon.

The promo for the March 5 episode has been released, and it does not spell good news for 51. It's as vague as a promo about a major character's death could be, but all signs point to someone important going down for the count. And fans are understandably stressed.

Violet confirms a death in March 5 promo

The promo for "Too Close" opens with two absolutely haunting expressions. Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) steps into a hospital and appears to be on the verge of tears. Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) greets him with an even more distraught expression. Then, in...

Replacing Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) was never going to be easy. The character was a Chicago Fire anchor, a veteran who had been present since the pilot. Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) has done an admirable job, though. He's maintained the same honorable status as his predecessor, but he definitely goes about things in a different way.

We have definitely gotten to know Pascal better over the course of season 13. We have seen him gel with characters like Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and clash with characters like his ex-wife, Monica (KaDee Strickland). The One Chicago crossover is going to be make or break for Pascal, though. It'll be an opportunity to really set himself apart as a man of action.

Chief Pascal is a crucial crossover character Chicago Med -- "In The Trenches: Part II" Episode 1011 -- Pictured: (l-r) Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide, David Eigenberg as Christopher Herrmann, Dermot...

Chicago Fire has done a great job of incorporating newcomers Lyla Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) and Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). It was initially unclear how either of them would acclimate among the Firehouse 51 staff, but both of them have been embraced by fans with open arms.

Novak's friendship with Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) has done wonders for her standing with fans, while Pascal's tough but fair approach in the field has earned him the respect of veterans like Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Mouch (Christian Stolte). Here's the thing: Chicago Fire keeps teasing a possible romance with Novak and Pascal, and we don't need it.

Novak and Chief Pascal have flirted with each other Chicago Fire -- "Quicksand" Episode 13008 -- Pictured: Jocelyn Hudon as Lyla Novak

As we just stated, we don't have anything against either character. Novak and Pascal are solid additions who are bringing out different aspects of established Fire characters.

It's been five years since One Chicago experienced a dramatic crossover event, the last of which occurred in October 2019. Fortunately for fans (unfortunately for victims in the show), a fresh crossover event will unite characters from Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med in early 2025. NBC recently divulged story details, an official release date, and remarks from showrunners and network brass.

Regardless of what transpires with the first responders protecting The Windy City, NBC has promised the epic TV event will be "essentially a three-hour action movie." To prepare fans for the explosive One Chicago crossover, it's worth exploring when the show will air, how each respective TV series will play into the exhilarating crossover, and which characters will be most impacted.

What is One Chicago's Next Crossover Event About?

NBC

In December 2024, NBC confirmed an impending One Chicago TV crossover event, the first of its kind since October...

Now that we’re halfway through Chicago Fire Season 13, it’s time to rank some of its biggest moments so far.

A lot has happened over the first eight episodes, and not all of it has been as memorable as we’d hoped.

But overall, there has been more excitement and drama than downtime, and the season started off with a bang. Let’s get into it!

(NBC/Peter Gordon) Best Episode: Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4

I’ve been pretty open about the fact that Violet and Lizzie are my favorite characters.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the best episode of the season so far largely centered the two of them.

Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4 was dramatic and intense, and it featured the Violet/Lizzie partnership in a big way.

With Violet’s job on the line after an impossible and risky decision on a call,...

Chicago Fire is once again burning hot.

Season 13 is averaging 7.7 million total viewers (including delayed playback, through the first seven episodes), down just 10% from the strikes-shortened and -delayed Season 12. It stands as broadcast TV’s No. 6 drama in total audience, trailing Tracker, Matlock, FBI, NCIS and Elsbeth, and just barely outdrawing lead-in Chicago Med. Chicago Fire’s 0.6 demo rating ranks fourth among all broadcast dramas airing this fall.

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