Chicago Fire Season 11 Episode 11 Review: A Guy I Used to Know

Chicago Fire sets up an opportunity for some deeply emotional storytelling with Chicago Fire Season 11 Episode 11, “A Guy I Used to Know.”

What’s better, is that storytelling will involve Herrmann, who let’s face it, is more than deserving of something beyond the comic relief he’s mostly been a part of lately.

It seems like nothing at first — Cindy is feeling bad with a cough, and there’s chaos with the kids because of it. She tells him she’ll take a COVID test (the first mention that the virus still exists in this universe in quite some time, I believe) and otherwise, it’s probably nothing. 

It’s not until the end of the episode that she finally sees a doctor and it’s determined pretty quickly that they’re looking at something far more serious. Cindy has lung cancer.

Both David Eigenberg and Robyn Coffin offer incredible performances here. Their reactions to the news are raw and real, especially with Herrmann’s disbelief and the irony that it’s his wife and not himself that would get lung cancer. 

And it’s heartbreaking. My hope is that this isn’t something that the series will speed past, but instead that they’ll spend the time to really develop this story. It has such potential, and if they do it well, this could be a really memorable part of the season.

That isn’t the main focus of this episode, though. Severide is once again tasked with something related to OFI — this time as a controversial favor to Commander Pearce. 

It’s honestly getting a little tiresome to see Kelly constantly doing something with OFI when he’s not actually a part of that office and has already set it aside in order to stay on squad. His skills are there, obviously, but these stories are all coming a bit redundant.

This one is different, though, and has him investigating the OFI officer who trained him. Someone he trusts, though Pearce thinks he needs to be taken down.

It shakes out just how it should, with Severide being a good person and a good investigator as usual, and clearing Van Meter. 

Maybe what’s more important than that is that Pearce sees something in Severide and is able to call him out on it. He says he can’t keep measuring everyone against his father. 

If there’s one thing Chicago Fire has been doing well with Kelly Severide, it’s to continue his character development in relation to his father throughout the years — and this could be pivotal.

Meanwhile, Violet is still focused on Emma when Evan’s cousin shows up to see her at the firehouse. It’s sweet that she includes Violet, but something about this also feels a little unrealistic to me.

Still, it’s good closure that Violet gets to see his apartment again and conveniently gets a hold of his laptop as well.

Really, I’m just glad to see this whole thing with Emma be put to bed so quickly. Violet has the victory here, and it’s probably a feeling of extra closure as well. 

Once again, it’s also a chance for Hanako Greensmith to shine, this time with more subtle, emotional moments. That’s something I love to see.

Other thoughts:

• Please don’t take away Brett’s paramedicine program! I’m dying for a good storyline with her, but this isn’t the one.
• The inspection offers a little levity and suspense on this episode, but what I most appreciate is seeing everyone at 51 dressed up like this. It’s also fun to see that part of their job.
• The car through the house call is quite the incident!

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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