Chicago Fire Review: Buckle Up (Season 8 Episode 5)

After the dramatic One Chicago crossover, Chicago Fire Season 8 Episode 5, “Buckle Up,” takes a lighter tone with a feel-good episode that offers happy endings.

It’s satisfying to see these kinds of stories, and I always appreciate the way that Chicago Fire is able to strike a balance between the heavier episodes and funnier, sweeter stories.

It’s a much-needed reprieve, and as much as I enjoy the suspense and action that this show has to offer, I’m always more interested in the characters than anything else. 

In this case, one of the best stories involves Stella. She’s attending the leadership conference that Boden put her up for, and before she even heads out, we see a side of her we don’t see often.

She’s nervous, anxious, and hesitant. What’s nice is that we see a very supportive Severide by her side, who not only knows the right things to say, but he’s also a calm presence that seems to steady her a bit.

The conference is difficult for her at first. She’s out of her element and she feels unqualified, but she proves pretty quickly that she has what it takes.

This really offers some interesting character development for her, since we’re not only seeing a more vulnerable side to her and watching her step outside of her comfort zone, but we get to see her overcome. 

It speaks volumes about her relationship with Severide, as well. Now that their relationship is steady, we can spend time seeing these characters move beyond that. (These are things that Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo discussed in detail in our interview from One Chicago Day too. You can watch that here.)

Meanwhile, Severide is being Severide is going outside of his duties to keep the city a little safer. This time, there’s a tow truck company causing accidents to get more business, and Severide is on to them with a quickness. 

At this point, I expect nothing less. I’m just glad he’s able to not only figure it out but to get things handled without getting hurt himself — not that he’s worried about such a thing to begin with. His fearlessness only makes him more of a hero.

Then, of course, there’s Cruz. He spends most of the episode dealing with the heartbreak of losing Chloe, who we learn, thanks to Brett, has some fear about being with a firefighter especially after seeing what happened with Otis. 

Thankfully, Brett steps in to help and has a heart to heart with her after learning of the breakup, and that gets through to Chloe. She still loves Joe — that never stopped. But that fear had gotten the best of her.

Cut to one of the sweetest scenes on Chicago Fire we’ve seen in a long time. Really. I did not expect to need tissues for this episode, but Chloe showing up with the cake pops that say “Ask Me” and Joe dropping to one knee with such joy and ease — it’s a beautiful moment.

And thank goodness, but Joe Cruz deserves some joy right now. 

My only complaint about this episode is one that returns to the crossover. After everything these characters went through with the infection, it seems there would be more of an effect on everyone at Firehouse 51. I find that lack of follow-through to be a little disappointing.

Other thoughts:

• The newsletter antics are a lot of fun to watch. I’d read a gossip column in that newsletter any day of the week. Too bad Boden puts it a stop to it so quickly.
• I always enjoy seeing Herrmann’s parenting moments. He’s so hard on his kids, but it comes from a place of love and they are clearly learning and are better for it. 
• Mouch gets into some trouble on the first call of the episode, and it makes him question his skills — and leadership. I’m so glad we get to see him overcome a battle like this too.  

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

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 Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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Chicago Fire: Joe Minoso Talks Cruz and Chloe, the Next #Crotis, and the Upcoming Crossover [Video]