In Chicago Fire‘s Season 13 debut, “A Monster In The Field,” the squad at Firehouse 51 tackles new obstacles, heart-pounding rescues, and emotional crossroads.
The tension from the previous season, when Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) declared his intention to establish a family, is still present in the opening scene of this episode. After a challenging rescue involving two small children, Stella finally tells Severide in a passionate talk that she is afraid of children. When she says she’s not ready to have a child just yet, Severide listens and shows understanding, so their plans for a future family remain open but undefined.
In the realm of work, Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) departed Firehouse 51 after receiving a promotion to deputy chief. A leadership void is left by his departure, which Chief Dom Pascal promptly fills. Pascal has a well-established reputation for being a difficult and erratic person.
The team’s unease only grows as Pascal begins calling them in for one-on-one meetings, starting with Herrman, who is left unsure if Pascal is disappointed in him or testing him.
The tension is interrupted when a major fire breaks out, and Pascal proves his mettle. Pascal leads from the front with courage despite flying debris and dangerous conditions, winning the crew over with his hands-on style. He doesn’t seem to have the “fear gene,” even according to the paramedics. When faced with danger, he never backs down, assisting in the evacuation of victims from the building and controlling the fire like a seasoned pro..
Meanwhile, Severide’s half-brother, Damon, also finds himself at a crossroads. Damon, who recently joined the firehouse, reminds Severide of his younger self — bold and reckless. Damon’s new interest in Novak, one of the team members, further complicates matters. Violet, still reeling from her own failed situationship with Carver, watches Damon with concern. She had tried a no-strings-attached arrangement with Carver, but it quickly spiraled into something deeper, culminating in Carver declaring his love for her. Unable to reciprocate at the time, Violet pushed him away, only to regret it when Carver left for Texas and returned with a new girlfriend.
Violet is heartbroken when she sees Carver happily engaged with his new girlfriend at the firehouse. Though her friends try to console her, reminding her that Carver’s new relationship might just be a rebound, it’s clear that Violet’s feelings for him haven’t disappeared.
But the episode’s emotional impact is centered on the small child Lena’s rescue. Lena is strapped into her booster seat and her parents are comatose when Novak arrives at the scene of a vehicle accident. Novak promptly calls the police as Lena discloses that her father deliberately crashed his car into the wall. Despite Lena’s mother, Catherine, disputing the accusation, Novak is determined to get to the truth. When she visits Lena, who is currently staying with her aunt, she discovers the horrifying circumstances of the disaster with the assistance of her team. Catherine’s attempts to conceal for Lena’s mentally ill father break down as it becomes clear that he actually attempted to take his family’s lives. Lena’s father is arrested, and although Catherine’s future as a mother is in jeopardy, Lena is finally safe.
Back at the firehouse, Kidd finds herself at odds with Pascal. He’s determined to keep her and Severide from working the same shifts, citing principles. His interference doesn’t stop there—he also suggests that Kidd put her Girls on Fire program on hold. Kidd starts to develop discomfort, and she starts asking herself why Pascal left his previous position in Miami so hastily. Airing at the climax of the episode leaves Pascal with a number of family problems and even a, seemingly, complicated marital life which might be the cause of his transfer to the new branch.
In the season premiere, Firehouse 51 is faced with new dynamics, bitter feelings and high risk work most of them have to face. The episode “A Monster in the Field” effectively sets the stage for the rest of a passionate season.
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