Chicago Fire Review: Dead Zone (Season 10 Episode 6)
Things are definitely not the same on Chicago Fire Season 10 Episode 6, “Dead Zone.”
It’s going to be a heck of an adjustment to get used to Matt Casey not being around. At least we get to hear his voice, right?
I do appreciate that detail, along with the fact that he and Brett are trying to make a long-distance relationship work. It’s all such unfortunate timing, and it really is a shame we didn’t get to enjoy this couple for more than a handful of episodes before it all fell apart.
That said, even though the vibe does feel different without Casey there, the episode works just as well and gives several of our characters a chance to shine in new ways.
Now listen, this isn’t the first time in recent years, or heck, in recent months, that a network drama series has had a storyline about hackers interfering with either a hospital or a 9-1-1 call center. But Chicago Fire’s approach is less about the drama and more about showing the pitfalls of technology, allowing Mouch and Herrmann a chance to get one over on the young crew.
“BG” — Before Google! I may never get over that one. Anyway. It’s fun to see Mouch and Herrmann in their element in this way, using old-fashioned techniques involving loose change, and teaching everyone how things were years ago.
It’s a nice change of pace to see everyone working together on a different sort of project in this way too, all while continuing other details, like the fact that Joe’s just had a baby and has coffee running through his veins just to keep himself standing.
Meanwhile, though, Severide is elsewhere. The fire from Chicago Fire Season 10 Episode 5, “Two-Hundred,” is now under investigation, and no one is surprised when Severide is asked to help on the case.
He’s getting the best of both worlds, really. He does love these investigations, but he didn’t want to give up his role as a firefighter. It’s maybe too convenient that he just gets to jump on here and there instead, but it works because of his reputation.
Of course, another arson case also means working with Wendy Seager once again, and girl… She is bold. Stella remains conspicuously absent, now heading to Connecticut to help get another chapter Girls on Fire off the ground.
Wendy isn’t shy about suggesting that Severide spend some time with her while Stella is gone, but he plays it off easily, thank goodness.
It is an interesting dynamic, and it’s consistent too. So there’s that. But I do hope Stella will be back soon.
The arson case itself is pretty unique, and I always like seeing Severide in this type of role. It’s also nice to see something like this carry over across several episodes instead of being wrapped up quickly.
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Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.