Chicago Fire Round Table: Who's Next?

at .

Firehouse 51 hosted a wedding on Chicago Fire Season 4 Episode 5, and the whole house pitched in to pull it off. 

Below, TV Fanatics Elizabeth Harlow, Paul Dailly, and Stacy Glanzman are joined by super fan Ann to discuss who's next down the aisle and the impending battle between Severide and Patterson. 

Read on and let us know your thoughts!

How do you feel about Chili and Jimmy?

Elizabeth: They're cute, but the whole in-house romance thing is feeling tired. I know the workplace romance is a staple of lots of shows, but outside of Casey and Dawson, I'm just not feeling it. Maybe it's just that Dick Wolf shows have stayed away from that in the past, and there's a learning curve, or maybe it's just that Fire and PD both have inherent gender disparities that make the romances seem forced...I don't know.

I think Med will give us more opportunities for cross show relationships, especially if it develops more than one nurse or physician's assistant or younger female characters.

Paul: I was skeptical at first, but they seem like a cute enough couple. My only qualm with this pairing is that every couple on this show is doomed. We're going to witness them apart more than they're together and that's why I'll struggle to ship them until there's a solid foundation beneath them.

Ann: I love the idea of Chili and Jimmy. Even though she said that she didn't want to get married because of family history, I would be willing to bet that Jimmy is the man for the job to change her mind. So I am on board for that.

Stacy: I like both characters, and they seem like a cute couple, but they're already on rocky ground with different ideas on marriage.

Are you looking forward to seeing Severide vs Patterson?

Elizabeth: Kind of, but I'm starting to feel like Patterson may be getting a bad rap. He didn't handle the interview in the best way possible, but finding a way to smooth Riddle's feathers was smart. Inviting the news crew and giving credit to Riddle would have cost nothing and gotten Boden everything he wanted. Patterson's trip up was in not having out a planned statement to give that would position Riddle as supportive of Boden's community outreach efforts, painting him into a corner to prevent future retaliation.

Paul: Patterson isn't as bad as I first thought. I do believe that he has best interests of Firehouse 51 in his mind, but he seems to do things in a sketchy way and that's what might ultimately cost him his place with 51. Severide handled it pretty well in Molly's. He's been known in the past to be pretty hot headed, so at least he was the bigger person.

Ann: Oh yeah, I can't wait to see them square off. I still had a bad taste in my mouth about Patterson. He is another one that only is about politics. He proved that when he called the press, told them about the wedding, and took the microphone, which made it look like it was all his idea. The men are onto him, and he isn't looking too good.

Stacy: I am looking forward to Severide getting his people back, however it happens. I agree that Patterson isn't as bad as we all initially thought, but he also has not shown great leadership ability. A leader should stand up for and support his people, and that's something Boden and Severide have always done.

Which wedding will happen first? Casey and Dawson, Burgess and Ruzek, or Mouch and Trudy?

Elizabeth: Chili and Jimmy! But seriously, Casey and Dawson are right back where they started – they can't officially be together and work together. Burgess and Ruzek have so much stuff to work out, they really need to work on their communication skills. Trudy has that giant binder, so her wedding will take approximately three years to actually pull together.

Paul: I agree with Elizabeth. Unless anyone elopes in the Chicago universe, they're not getting married. I'd love if Dawsey just got married and that'd be that, but it's never plain and simple on these shows, so I have no clue.

Ann: Well I am a hopeless romantic, so I am voting for Casey and Dawson, then possibly Jimmy and Chilli, but Jimmy will have to do a lot of talking, showing her how much he cares, and I think he does. Just not to that stage yet. Then Ruzek and Burgess, they have a lot of stuff to work through before the I Do's are said. I think it will happen eventually, but it's going to take a while. Mouch and Trudy, well, that remains to be seen. I don't think Mouch is ready for this step, but Trudy is more than ready. I like Trudy and Mouch together. I think he needs a little push on this one.

Stacy: Like Elizabeth and Paul said, it seems unlikely anyone will ever get married on these shows. However, I'm going to go out on a limb and pick Mouch and Trudy. Dawson and Casey just went through two traumatizing experiences. They need some time to cope. Burgess and Ruzek need to have an actual conversation about their wedding. I'm not sure that one will ever happen. Mouch and Platt actually seem like a solid, stable couple and ready for marriage. Plus, like Elizabeth said, she has that binder, so she's already been planning this for years.

What was your favorite quote/scene?

Elizabeth: Gabi standing up to Riddle over his ridiculous sexist nonsense made my little feminist heart soar, and the way she handled the patronizing concern of the guys when she got back was deft, as well. There were a lot of other really funny and touching scenes, but that sequence won for me.

Paul: Brett singing. Where did that come from? She had a wonderful voice, and I want to hear her sing again!

Ann: My favorite scene was when Dawson told off that ass, Riddle. He had one hell of a nerve to bring up her deceased child. What a dick. I was hoping for Casey and Severide to have a little private chat with Chief Riddle. He is on the Patterson level with me. Not a fan of either one. Also when Boden stood up to the slimy little creep. I think that he isn't going to get what he wants.

Boden would be a better choice, but who would take his place? Well, I have this all figured out. Boden goes up to Fire Commissioner, passes right over Riddle, who stays exactly where he is. Severide takes Boden's place as Chief, with the agreement that the new Commissioner keeps his hands in the cookie dough, so to speak. Casey still handles Truck 81, and Squad 3 goes to Cruz or one of the others on that team. Just saying, and it is all my opinion.

Stacy: I liked Boden deciding to let the house hold the wedding despite Riddle's objections. He's not letting himself be pushed around in his own house. I also liked that he gave his own money to buy the food, even before knowing if the groom would pull through.

Did anything disappoint you?

Elizabeth: I was a little frustrated (again) with how no one at Firehouse 51 seems all that savvy about courting public opinion. I feel like Otis should be taking up that role, as he's showed some technical/PR skills in the past, with his podcast and everything.

Paul: This wasn't the worst installment, but it was missing the funny moments. I'd have loved to see those dweebs who almost got Molly's shut down.

Ann: The fact that Riddle got a chance to rib Dawson. Too bad they didn't let Casey and Severide handle that little worm.

Stacy: That Riddle and Patterson are still around, and Severide hasn't gotten his squad back.

Stacy Glanzman was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in March, 2019.

Show Comments
Tags: ,

Chicago Fire Season 4 Episode 5 Quotes

I'm not distraught, I'm angry, okay? Are you this worried about male firefighters' emotional condition when they return from medical leave?

Dawson

All right guys, please stop, you can take the kid gloves off. What happened, happened. I've been cleared for duty, ready to work, and I am happy to knock anyone's teeth out who treats me like a snowflake.

Dawson