Chicago Fire Review: Down is Better (Season 6 Episode 6)

Just when everything seems like it’s going to be okay, something even worse happens.

Chicago Fire Season 6 Episode 6, “Down is Better,” finally proves what we’ve all known about Hope for a while, and it ends in a shocking twist — and a major cliffhanger. Because of course it does.

Let’s start with Hope. It’s surprising to me that Stella doesn’t immediately assume her sudden transfer to PR has Hope’s name written all over it.

The only reason she wouldn’t suspect it is because of the paycheck trick Hope pulled on Chicago Fire Season 6 Episode 5, “Devil’s Bargain.” Still, it’s all very suspicious.

This episode does allow a chance for Stella to shine, even from the opening where we see her bravely save a baby.

She’s a rock star — which makes it all the more curious that after such a save, she’s given a new job.

Is it me, or do things like this tend to happen too often?

Stella handles it all with grace, even when she’s thrust in front of reporters after being told she needs to take her hair down. I’d have actually liked to see her in this situation for just a little longer, only because of how interesting that dynamic could have been.

It’s ultimately a fast save, though, thanks to Casey’s willingness to take a few risks. We didn’t think we’d see Chief Mullins again so soon — but we do. And no, he wasn’t the reason Stella was transferred. Because that’s not his signature, kids.

Hope tries to lie her way out of forging that signature, but Boden and the others see right through her. I’m not sure if I believe this is the last we’ll see of her, though.

Brett also has a chance to confront her, making a big speech about how these are the best friends she’s ever had, and Hope could have experienced that too. She actually lays it on a little thick, if you ask me, but it’s nevertheless effective, and it spells out pretty clearly the thing that makes Chicago Fire such a special show. At it’s core, it’s about that made family.

Also within the group at Firehouse 51, it seems like Stella and Severide are working their way back toward each other. Severide bringing Stella home is a sweet moment, and in her drunken state, she kisses him. Severide doesn’t take advantage of the situation though.

Severide: Not like this.

Listen, I’d be happy to see these two together, but I struggle with the fact that we haven’t quite seen Severide deal with the loss of Anna.

Yes, we’ve had a time jump since the end of last season, but I’m not satisfied with it. It just feels like though that’s already been forgotten, which is a shame, because there’s so much that could be explored with his character there.

The fall finale ends with a shocking cliffhanger. Guys, Gabby Dawson has been through too much. Now, she arrives on scene to find that the man who has been stabbed is her father.

I shudder to think what will happen if he actually dies. It was her father who noticed that Gabby was barely holding herself together after the scare with Matt, and this could be the very thing that breaks her.

Other thoughts:

• Molly’s North! I can’t decide if I’m more excited about that or about Otis’s new love interest.
• How awesome is Connie? One of the best things about this entire Hope arc has been Connie’s reactions to her.
• Casey seems to be settling into his new role as Captain a little better now. Hopefully, that will last a while. I think he’s learned quite a bit already.

What did you think of this episode of Chicago Fire? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Chicago Fire returns in 2018 to NBC.

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