Going into Chicago Fire Season 14, we learned that Christopher Herrmann would go through something deeply personal.
This is a firefighter who has fought through a lot of fears, especially lately, with his wife, Cindy, suffering from lung cancer.
It was hard to believe that we could end up seeing him go through something more traumatic so soon, but Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 4 makes it clear that we’re going to face that with him.
And yes, as much as I think that it’s time for Herrmann to retire in Chicago Fire, my heart is in my chest for this episode.
A Fire at Home Sends Herrmann’s World Into Chaos on Chicago Fire
A fire happening at home is likely a fear for every firefighter.
They know what to do and will teach their spouses and children, but that doesn’t mean everything will go to plan.
Fires are unpredictable, and Mother Nature often intervenes, causing even more problems.
Now we’re going to see that all play out, as the call in the new Chicago Fire Season 14 episode takes us to Herrmann’s house, where the fire is in full effect.
In the promo, we learn that the situation is even worse than initially expected.
One of his daughters was home from school that day, so she is likely somewhere in the house.
Hopefully, she’s actually gone to a friend’s house and not at home, but when would Chicago Fire give us that positive outcome?
Elsewhere in the episode, we’re getting more of the show’s latest newcomer.
Since introducing Sal Vasquez, especially since Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 2, there’s been a lot of focus on his personal life, and I feel like there’s been a little too much all at once.
Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 4 brings us even more of his search for answers, and it’s clear that he doesn’t think his dad is as guilty as he was made out to be.
Now we know that Vasquez’s dad was arrested for planting evidence, and he’s looking for a way to clear the man’s name, but is it possible that his dad is just a bad cop?
There are plenty of bad cops out there hiding beneath the surface and getting away with things, and it’s not like the One Chicago franchise has ever hidden that.
Firehouse 51 must band together after a devastating fire catches them off guard; Vasquez continues his quest for answers; Violet and Novak face an unexpected roadblock in the new training protocol.
At the same time, parents don’t tell their children everything.
I don’t care about Vasquez at this point, and I think this is going to be the weakest part of the episode.
The most interesting part of the budget cuts has been examining what they mean for paramedics.
Firehouse 51 Is Pushed to the Limit
During Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 3, Violet discovered that long shifts and inadequate breaks led to an avoidable accident, and now she’s pushing for help and support.
The best option is to bring firefighters over to the EMT side of things, as their shifts are getting cut anyway. Is this something the CFD wants to do as they continue to search for ways to cut the budget?
There’s sure to be some pushback, but I don’t think that’s just going to be from the Powers That Be.
We may see some pushback from the firefighters, especially if they’re called in when they’re supposed to be off and then face burnout as well.
With Violet and Novak in charge, though, we know things can get done.
Neither of them will give up the fight too easily.
With budget cuts being such a real problem in the world, this storyline is the one to focus on the most in Chicago Fire Season 14, and I’m glad to see it’s getting the attention it deserves.
While the synopsis and promo for Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 4 don’t reveal anything about Severide and Kidd’s current situation, this is going to come up.
The photos released ahead of the episode make it clear that we’ll see more of the pair trying to be there for young Isaiah, who got some terrible news at the end of the previous episode.
This foster situation could be much longer than initially anticipated, and the more bad news Isaiah gets, the worse his attitude is likely to become.
I can’t help but wonder if one of the images hints that Isaiah is about to take actions that get attention for the wrong reasons, and that will make Kidd struggle even more to connect with him.
What are your thoughts on the first details of the new episode?
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