Chicago Fire Review: One for the Ages / The Grand Gesture (Season 6 Episodes 22 and 23)

Not every season finale needs to end with someone’s life hanging in the balance, but still, the two-part Chicago Fire Season 6 finale leaves something to be desired.

Chicago Fire Season 6 Episode 22, “One for the Ages,” and Chicago Fire Season 6 Episode 23, “The Grand Gesture,” are okay episodes, but they generally fall a little flat, and it doesn’t seem like the story knows where it wants to go. It’s all a bit disjointed.

The highlights involve Boden and Severide/Stella.

Having Boden in this position of running for commissioner, going up against a rival, and having someone lie about his integrity is fascinating and really lets his character shine.

It speaks to the common themes of the firehouse family and of being a real hero, which also works well. Boden is the definition of a good man and of a strong leader, and it’s infuriating that those qualities would be called into question.

Grissom is a slimeball, guys. And as much as I want to see Boden have the chance to advance his career in this way, this conflict is so much more interesting. I’m also curious to see if the news Otis found — which is a nice way to weave in the time he spent away from the truck because of his injury — will change the outcome.

There’s a lot of potential here for the upcoming season, and there’s no telling what Grissom will do now that he’s in charge. He’s certainly not happy with Kelly Severide.

Speaking of Severide, the situation with Renee resolves in the perfect way. Severide testifies and helps them win their case, which is all good news, but you know Renee is still after more.

You have to love Stella for telling that woman what’s what.

That’s one of my favorite moments from these episodes. But Severide is steady in his feelings for Stella, and he assures her he’s not going anywhere.

The relationship that’s officially on the rocks, though, is between Matt and Gabby, and it’s incredibly frustrating.

These two have been all over the place all season, and it always comes down to their issues with communication and making decisions without the other person.

This time is even trickier. Gabby is so determined to have a baby now that she’s made up her mind that she’s willing to risk her life for it. And she’d rather risk that than risk being hurt again by going through the adoption process.

Casey doesn’t want to see her risk her life, though. It’s got them in a tough place, but as usual, their conflict feels false somehow. At this point, it would be so much more satisfying to see them be able to just have a baby together with no complications.

Instead, Gabby decides she needs a break and changes her mind about an opportunity to go to Puerto Rico and help with relief efforts.

Yet another decision she makes without her husband… It’s not looking good for these two, that’s for sure.

Other thoughts:

• The Slamigan! I really enjoy this coming back and that it’s going to have some success.
• I’m so heartbroken for Cruz. He wants to tell Brett his feelings so badly, but their friendship makes that difficult.
• Another one of my favorite scenes is when Brett stands up for herself to Gabby. It’s a really powerful moment.

What did you think of the season finale of Chicago Fire? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Chicago Fire returns next Fall to NBC.

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