Chicago Fire Season 12 Premiere Recap: A Steamy Return, Emotional Farewells, and a Potential New Romance
A Sizzling Start to the New Season
The twelfth season of Chicago Fire kicked off with a steamy shower scene between Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and her husband, Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), setting the tone for a season filled with passion, drama, and high-stakes firefighting action. Kinney’s return to the show after a brief hiatus was met with much anticipation and excitement from fans, who were eager to see the beloved character back in action.
A Series of Happy Returns
The premiere episode wasted no time in delivering a series of happy returns. Kelly Severide made his triumphant return to Firehouse 51 after completing his arson investigation training course, much to the relief and joy of his colleagues and fans alike. Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) also made his return to work after recovering from a near-death experience in the previous season, bringing his trademark humor and camaraderie back to the firehouse. And Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) sported a dazzling engagement ring, hinting at an upcoming wedding with her long-time love, Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer).
Strained Relationships and Unresolved Issues
However, not everything was smooth sailing at Firehouse 51. Despite the steamy shower scene, Stella and Kelly’s relationship was still strained by the trust issues stemming from Kelly’s previous absence. Stella’s reluctance to allow Kelly to get involved in arson investigations created tension between them, highlighting the lingering emotional wounds that needed healing.
Emotional Farewells and New Beginnings
The premiere episode also marked the emotional departure of fan-favorite character Blake Gallo (Alberto Rosende). Gallo bid farewell to his Firehouse 51 family as he prepared to move to Michigan to be with his extended family for the first time since losing his parents and sister in a fire when he was a child. The tearful goodbye between Gallo and his best friends, Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith), was a poignant moment that tugged at the heartstrings of viewers.
A Potential New Romance on the Horizon
While saying goodbye to one love interest and preparing to bid farewell to her ambulance partner Sylvie, Violet Mikami appeared to be saying hello to someone else. She and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) shared a few subtle moments that hinted at a potential romantic connection between them. Whether this connection will blossom into a full-fledged romance remains to be seen, but it certainly added an intriguing element to the episode.
A Shocking Cliffhanger and a Threat to Firehouse 51
The episode concluded with a shocking cliffhanger that left viewers on the edge of their seats. Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) and Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) apprehended an arsonist dropping off a suspicious package at Firehouse 51. As Boden apprehended the perpetrator, Herrmann heroically ran the explosive into the park across the street to prevent it from detonating inside the firehouse. However, the explosion threw Herrmann against the ground with significant force. Despite insisting that he was fine, his demeanor and body language at the end of the episode hinted at a potential injury that could have serious consequences.
Teasing the Next Episode’s Drama
The teaser for the upcoming episode teased even more drama and turmoil at Firehouse 51. Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso) struggles to take orders after serving as the team’s leader during Kelly’s absence and threatens to leave Firehouse 51, potentially causing further disruption and conflict within the team.