Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4 Review: Through the Skin

Dom Pascal proves how much he cares about his new team on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 4, “Through the Skin.” While he still has a gruff exterior and remains hard on Stella, he sets his own personal problems aside to help Violet when it really matters.

Violet risks her job to save a baby on a call — performing a c-section to save its life after its mother has died. It’s her only humane option, and the woman’s sister is begging her to do it. Sure, it’s beyond the scope of her job or whatever, but it’s really upsetting that saving the baby could be the end of her career.

She’s pulled from her work on ambo immediately and put on desk duty, then has to go before the medical board for any hope of having her license reinstated. 

This offers a nice moment of crossover when Violet visits Sharon Goodwin from Chicago Med, but Goodwin doesn’t have much help to offer besides suggesting she get someone with real political power involved.

Pascal is comforting to Violet in his own way, showing that he thinks she did the right thing, but without the big, empowering speeches Boden might have given.

Instead, he leads quietly, asking for a favor from the man he punched in a previous episode. He sets his ego aside, offers an apology that’s not well-received, and then asks for the favor for Violet anyway. And it works.

It’s a great way to start to get us on Pascal’s side. He may not be just like Boden, but he’s his own character and, it seems, a good leader in his own right.

Then we have the surprise of Chief Robinson being compassionate toward Violet. She says she agrees with the decision Violet made, and if she could have an influence, she’d try. Finally, some humanity from our cartoonish, one-note villain! It almost makes her seem like a different character altogether. 

Otherwise, the storyline is frustrating because it’s a repeat of a type of conflict we’ve seen many times, whether or be Violet or Sylvie Brett. It’s been done, and done, and done again. 

Meanwhile, Stella is stressed about finding a replacement for Damon on Truck. Pascal is putting pressure on her to find someone who will stay around for a while, and who will pretty much be a rockstar. She wants Kylie, but Kylie turns her down for fear of never shedding the nickname “MK” or “Mini-Kidd.”

Herrmann comes out with a solution that turns out to be better than anything Stella could have imagined, and it even keeps the team from having to welcome a new face. 

He suggests that Ritter move to truck — something he’s been wanting to do. And then replacing Ritter? Kylie! So Kylie will be able to work at 51, but not under Stella.

It’s a great way to shift things around, and a bit of a relief at that, because it would be nice to avoid the turnover — much like Pascal says about truck, I think the audience is feeling the same way about the show’s cast. 

Other thoughts:

• The storyline with Joe accidentally stealing a bike is endearing at first but ultimately way too awkward. Chicago Fire needs the fun, lighthearted storylines, but it’s so much better when Jow has something of substance.
• Severide proves he’s not Benny — because he knows he’s not Benny — by continuing to look out for Damon. This is the type of bonding and connection we missed during that time jump. I hope we get to see more of it even though Damon is no longer at 51. I also hope this means Damon won’t do anything vindictive. 
• Violet and Carver finally come to a place of friendship, but there’s clearly still something there for both of them. Violet’s outburst toward Tori is a powerful moment, and it’s also telling how surprised Carver is that Tori is looking for jobs in Chicago. I hope we get more answers about all of that soon.

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

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

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