Chicago Fire Review: Show of Force (Season 10 Episode 12)

This is the kind of Chicago Fire episode I really enjoy.

On Chicago Fire Season 10 Episode 12, “Show of Force,” Stella Kidd gets the chance to show how good of a lieutenant she is when she fills in for Pelham. And she does it so well.

She does reveal she’s a little nervous, but once she starts the shift, she proves she was always meant for that position. She leads with ease and confidence, and she clearly has the respect of the rest of the team.

That includes Severide. It’s a really sweet detail the way he admires how she takes the lead. He’s so obviously proud of her. Her ghosting on him and the rest of the crew is already forgotten, I guess. 

But Stella getting to take on that role isn’t the best part. The best part is the way everyone comes together to help Jason Pelham, who hasn’t even been a part of Firehouse 51 for very long. 

He’s seeing firsthand what a family Firehouse 51 really is. 

It’s extra special that it’s Stella who takes the lead on the big show of force, too, because the fact is, if Pelham is out, she knows she’s in. Though perhaps that means she really is serious that she’s not quite ready for that role yet. 

Both Gallo and Mouch are willing to join Stella in this show of force for Pelham. It makes for a really nice moment when they all show up like that, willing to give up their gear.

The thing is, it’s risky — so risky that I don’t know how much I believe Gallo, who is so new to the group still, wouldn’t at least need to spend a little extra time thinking that over. Though his personality does at times suggest otherwise.

I’m also a bit surprised that more firefighters aren’t behind it.

It’s those three, followed by Boden bringing in Stafford to speak out against Chief Kilbourne. I’d imagine more members of Firehouse 51 would have been willing to show up for this, and it could have made that moment even more powerful.

What is perhaps even more satisfying than seeing Stella lead that charge and get Deputy Commissioner Hill to give them a chance to make their case, is seeing Hill join Stella, Boden, and Severide at the gala to tell Kilbourne that he’s in trouble.

Plus, everyone’s so dressed up, and that feels like an extra special treat. 

It offers a nice backdrop for Severide to give Stella a pretty engagement ring, too. 

I’m glad they’re back on track, though it does feel a bit odd that we’re just moving right along after her extended absence. There should be more to work through, there, even if it’s just more minor conversations.

Speaking of romantic backdrops, it’s kind of incredible how quickly I’ve found myself rooting for Violet and Chief Hawkins. They’re both still relatively new characters, but there’s something special about those two that I’m looking forward to seeing more of.

Part of it must also be that it hasn’t been some long, arduous tale. Yes, their work relationship complicates matters, but otherwise, it’s simple — and to have them kiss this quickly feels like a nice little payoff already. 

Other thoughts:

• The alt party and alt-alt party stuff adds more levity to this episode, and I especially like seeing how excited Brett gets over all of the details.
• Capp’s band! Capp’s band! Can we see more of this, please?
• Herrmann gets a more endearing storyline when he meets the brother of a firefighter he once knew. He relates that back to his children and does some pretty great parenting because of it. I do love getting to see those kinds of moments with his family.

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

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Chicago Fire returns February 23rd to NBC.

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