Chicago Fire came back from a short winter hiatus and felt like a completely reinvented show on Chicago Fire Season 2 Episode 11.

The series made a bold move of leaving the direct aftermath of Casey’s Fate in the hospital and moving forward a few weeks later.

The doctor gave Casey a clean bill of health, but there was still quite a bit at play affecting his memory. The opening scenes of the installment made it clear that Casey isn’t quite sure if what’s he’s dreaming is real or fake, and Dawson disappearing completely from view is probably not a good sign either.

Yet, memory and lock combinations were not the only issues plaguing Casey: his demeanor is slightly different as well.

It’s unclear how much brain injury Casey is, or was, facing after the accident. The flash forward kept all of the information a secret and the only sign of the aftermath was the small scar on the back of his head. If Casey is dealing with a brain injury, there’s a possibility his personality has been altered as a result.

Casey’s always been a kind and gentle person. There have been times he’s gotten in someone’s face, but he’s never had the reaction he did to the bank robber. What that man did is grotesque and immoral - keeping an entire bank full of customers, employees and firefighters hostage while the place is burning down - but Casey would never have wailed on a man’s face like that before.

His actions were like a rage blackout, requiring some yelling from Mouch before he came to again.

Watch Chicago Fire Season 2 Episode 11 Online

Most of his personality is still intact, however, and his willingness to keep this from Dawson is because he wants her to be fully focused at the fire academy. It’s typical Casey, so there’s hope that he’s still mostly the same person.

Dawson and the academy is the storyline that I’m most looking forward to. As a brother to a fireman, I known the pain, sweat, tears and injuries the men and women training in them face against, and it’s exciting to see Chicago Fire Season 2 spin its own story with Dawson. She’s smart and she’s tough, and having her stand in both worlds - firefighting and being a paramedic - is very true to life.

Dawson’s only female peer at the academy, Rebecca Jones, is not making the best of impressions. Jones is willing to look sweet and nice in front of her peers, but the minute she sees an opportunity to improve her own chances she takes it.

She missteps in thinking she has an in with Severide, but he picks up on her behavior pretty quickly and wants her out, knowing that this type of attitude endangers the men and women working with her. Unfortunately, much like Severide, she has familial connections that force him to look the other way.

Hopefully, Jones’ behavior won’t drag Dawson or Severide down.

The bank-owning Molly’s is just another series of unfortunate events for the bar. Every time things begin looking up for the bar something else crops up that could spell the end for it. These types of stories are growing stale. There are only so many brushes with death a bar can have: either let Molly’s live or die.

Finally, there’s Shay and her new partner, Allison Rafferty, who happens to be homophobic. As long as Shay can keep her “lifestyle” out of her face, they’ll be completely fine with each other. It’s rather unfortunate that people still hold this kind of view, but good on Shay for standing up to her.

At least Rafferty is showing signs of being receptive when she covers for Shay and the lawyer that comes to visit about the man who killed himself.

A Few More Thoughts:

• Clarke’s decision to finally let his wife take the wrap is reassuring. His character is a welcome addition to the family and it’s about time Mills has a friend he can connect with like the rest of the guys. Hopefully Chicago Fire will hand him a series regular spot before too long.
• Speaking of Mills, he is no longer a candidate. He’s one of the brothers now. A nice end point after making his decision to stay with the fire department.
• Chicago PD makes a few appearances! Look for our review of Chicago PD premiere after it debuts.

Should Casey tell Dawson what’s going on with him?