Chicago Fire Review: Seeing is Believing (Season 8 Episode 8)

David Eigenberg shines as Christopher Herrmann on Chicago Fire Season 8 Episode 8, “Seeing is Believing.”

He’s immediately suspicious at a call where a couch goes up in flames much faster than it should. It only takes a little extra investigation to determine that said couch is manufactured by the same company that made the mattresses from the infamous mattress factory fire — the one that killed our beloved Otis.

I appreciate the fact that several episodes after Otis’s death, there are still reminders. It’s still something that’s weighing heavy on the fire department and affecting the show’s storylines. This is the most emotional we’ve seen Herrmann get over the death, and it makes me wonder if every character is going to have such a moment. 

The other thing that works well about this is that it’s a way to bring everyone together. Herrmann refuses to leave the furniture company until he can speak with the CEO, and that means setting up outside the building and calling in some friends.

Any chance to see this crew work together as a family in that way is a good thing, and this time is particularly special. Because they aren’t only coming together to support Herrmann — they’re also supporting Otis.

To finally get the CEO’s attention, Herrmann takes a drastic step — one that’s also supported by the group. He buys a couch and lights it on fire in front of the CEO’s eyes.

There’s shock value there, but the best part is seeing that this CEO really is human. I mean really, how could anyone look Herrmann in the face while he makes such a speech, while a couch is on fire behind him, and not feel something?

It’s a wake-up call, and one that works, which you can see immediately in the CEO’s eyes. This guy was never a villain. He just didn’t think clearly enough about the effects of his poorly made furniture.

Later, the CEO shows up to pay respects to Otis, showing his children the memorial. He talks with Herrmann, who seems to be having a moment of closure because of the change he’s affected. David Eigenberg really knocks it out of the park with his performance on this one, here we are as an audience, grieving over Otis once again.

Meanwhile, Severide proves he’s right where he belongs at OFI, mainly because no, he’s not going to just rubber stamp some cases. So much of what his character has done up until this point has led him to this role, and it really does suit him, especially because he’s willing to pay attention to things from all sides.

While often we see Severide trying to prove a fire was arson, in this case, it’s the opposite. And proving that the grocery store fire is an electrical fire instead of arson committed by the owner means the owner can actually start rebuilding her business. 

It’s nice to see Severide doing something different, too. This is a show that’s in its eighth season, and it’s good storytelling to find ways to place characters in new situations. For Severide, that’s OFI. For Stella, that’s being an instructor at the academy.

The problem is that it’s wearing on her in a bad way, and she’s afraid to admit it. Of course, she wants to prove herself. She’s being given great opportunities, Boden is making this big deal about how she’s going to be a strong leader, and add to that, she’s a woman.

So it’s not surprising she’s trying to power through her exhaustion, but I can’t help but think that’s going to have some very real consequences.

Stray thoughts:

• I’m glad to know that Foster is a good fitness instructor, but I hope no one has forgotten about Joe Cruz’s skills at teaching Zumba.
• Severide’s partner at OFI is not shy about her thoughts on Casey. Little does she know that his ex-wife is coming back to town soon (see the previews for the next episode)!

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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