What a start to the season.
That is truly the only words I said after watching this first episode. So many things happened that need to be mentioned but first of all, to all the Stellaride fans I know this is a tough one.
To be honest it had crossed my mind that Stella might not be pregnant considering only one pregnancy test was used but I didn’t actually think she wouldn’t be. They definitely did good with the shock factor on that one. Honestly though Miranda Rae Mayo and Taylor Kinney, the actors that you are. Regardless of how tough this scene was for fans, no one can deny that the acting was so authentic and credible for people who had just been told they were not having a baby. As per Kelly has Stella’s back no matter what and that is exactly why I love this tv couple.
We move straight into finding out that Vasquez is essentially forced upon 51 and it’s clear that Pascal was unable to have his say on the situation no matter how much he wanted to. We never fully receive an explanation as to why Vasquez is given to 51 but I get the feeling that he may related to someone high up the food chain, possibly Annette Davis the mayor’s Chief of Staff ?
Joe Cruz has always been a favourite of mine and this episode showed me why. His personality really shone through. Him being on Herrmann’s back about not moving out of the officers’ quarters was incredibly funny. His straight stare at Herrmann when Mouch complained about the noise made me burst out laughing, but the funniest moment was him calling Vasquez “Dom Toretto” ; and for a Fast and Furious fan that was very comical to hear.
“Kicking Down Doors” – CHICAGO FIRE. Pictured: Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz. Photo: Peter Gordon/NBC ©2025 NBCUniversal Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
It was nice to see Herrmann riding back on truck, I liked him on engine, but it felt so normal to have him back on truck. Sal Vasquez is a very cocky individual and his driving skills seemed to cause more harm than good, especially to Ritter and Herrmann who are getting thrown around in the back.
I’m not too sure how I’m going to feel about Vasquez, but I didn’t like Carver or Gallo when they first started and they ended up becoming some of my favourite characters, so there is still hope. At the moment he’s too defiant towards Kidd for my liking, and I’m also not too sure how qualified he is to be a firefighter considering he managed to fall on his own Halligan. However despite this I am looking forward to how he develops under Kidd’s expertise. I am also looking forward to seeing him and Novak develop. Lizzie seems to have chemistry with everyone, but this is one relationship I’m looking forward to watching unfold (if it does).
“Kicking Down Doors” – CHICAGO FIRE. Pictured: Brandon Larracuente as Sal Vasquez. Photo: Peter Gordon/NBC ©2025 NBCUniversal Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
It was nice to see the Mouch and Ritter’s relationship again before he finishes his time on the show. I think that Ritter possibly leaving because he realises he wants to be with Dwayne would be the perfect end to his story, it would show the progress that he has made, albeit a bittersweet goodbye.
The main focus of the episode is the budget cuts and the almost 50% of calls that go unanswered, this is clearly going to be an ongoing storyline throughout the season and it’s going to be an interesting one. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how Pascal works with Annette Davis to overcome the issues facing the city of Chicago this year.
For Stellaride fans there may still be hope of a Stellaride family, with Terry proposing the idea of adopting a teenage boy. We don’t yet know if the pair decided to meet the young boy or not, but I have a feeling they might. I think it’s certainly going to be one of the best storyline’s this season, to watch them go through their parenting journey.
This was once again a beautifully created episode and made me incredibly excited for what is to come for the rest of the season!