When we last visited Chicago Fire, Shay and Dawson were left battered and bruised in their ambulance when a flatbed truck ran into them. In "God Has Spoken," viewers once again relied on the strength of the cast and the writing to propel the story forward.

In many ways, Chicago Fire actually reminds me of NBC’s other great drama, Parenthood. Both shows try to stay rooted in reality and the commonalities we all go through and share, rather than trying to shock and awe us with layers of soapy intrigue (not that there’s anything wrong with that). 

That general theme isn’t always followed perfectly in either show, it’s television after all, but “God Has Spoken” didn’t focus on much flash and bang in the aftermath. Instead, we were left with mostly quiet introspection for the men and women in the station.

As I was hoping for in “Merry Christmas etc,” the accident became the catalyst Kelly needed to wake up from his drug addiction, but his seeking out of help came from the unlikeliest of people: Dawson. Kelly just needed a third party like Dawson to acknowledge his spiral because that message just wasn’t going through with the people closest to him.

Most of all, I’m happy we can begin putting aside Kelly’s cover-up story. Kelly's small, tearful plea for help to Dawson was rather humbling for him. Here's a man who rescues people for a living, battles fires, and tries to keep everything together for as long as he can, yet he's been beaten by small, round painkillers. 

So far my wishers for Chicago Fire Season 1 are coming true.

Casey’s life, on the other hand, is growing increasingly complicated as he begins to deal with him mother’s parole hearing; he’s on a completely different page (and upcoming testimonial) from his sister. It’s a tough call to make and I don’t envy being on either side of this because they both make good points: Casey believes his mother was at least justified in killing their father after all the abuse he put her through, but his sister brings up the just as good “but it’s still murder” argument.

At least Casey’s mom wasn’t a fan of Hallie either.

And, since Casey’s week is going so smoothly already, he got to listen to Cruz’s increasingly guilty conscience. I was almost sure that Cruz was going to commit suicide with the party of one solo trips to bridges and train tracks leading up to his chat with Casey. 

Again, Cruz’s story just isn’t very compelling. Leon doesn’t seem to really care if he’s in a gang, and his discovery of Cruz letting Flacko burn to death rang false. Leon’s life seems full of questionable choices already, and there’s plenty of doubt to be had if he thinks this is a secret they’re going to the grave with.

Yet, even knowing about Cruz’s decision, Casey was still willing to look the other way by giving him a day to think it over before they shake hands and say hello or take a drive to the police station.

Casey’s patience seems near infinite, but it's beginning to make me wonder if his mother, pending on whether she gets parole or not, might run his patience dry.

Or maybe Casey’s patience will draw thin as he competes for Dawson’s heart? I’m fully committed to the Dawson and Casey ship, but even I’m willing to admit that the lifeboat looks a little tempting when Dawson and Mills have such great chemistry together. Plus, this development really opens up Dawson as well, as she's been mostly interacting with Shay and pining for Casey. It'll be fun to see someone else reciprocating her affection, and it further sets up Casey to fight for her. 

One final thought before turning it over. We need to talk about Hermann. I’m so mixed on his story and it has everything to do with the fact that he turned down the sleazy businessman. Don’t get me wrong, let’s throw out a disclaimer here, I’m fully supportive of how honest and committed Hermann is; no, I just wish Hermann took the businessman’s offer so I could come up with names for his limousine service every week.

Tonight would have been Hermann’s Booty Service.

What did you think of Chicago Fire’s first new episode of the year? Let us know in the comments, along with potential names for Hermann’s Limousine Service!