Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 14 Review: Bar Time

Carver is taking some time away, but how long does that mean he’ll be gone? On Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 14, “Bar Time,” Carver’s struggles with alcoholism continue to be the focus of his character.

It seems he’s burying himself in work by taking extra shifts, but he also lies to Violet about going to a meeting — for some reason. Then he reveals to Stella that he drank again and asks if he can have some time off.

It’s a genuine moment between the two of them that I really appreciate because while Carver worries she’s disappointed, she assures him it’s the opposite. She’s proud of him for taking responsibility and knowing when he needs to take time away.

It’s just not clear what that means exactly. He leaves a note for Violet, who is clearly crushed.

It’s almost a bit redundant, and while I appreciate the complex character development happening for Carver, I’m also suspicious it’s just another random way to write a character out for a few episodes. After all, that’s been the pattern all season. Someone is always missing for some reason or other. 

The rest of the episode is a bit more lighthearted, even though the calls feel especially tough. Most of it takes place overnight, on a Friday night that’s notorious for late-night calls while people are out drinking at the bars.

That change of pace makes the episode feel special, both because it’s overnight and also because it’s a little extra chaotic.

Violet and Novak are joined by a ride-along who turns out to be Novak’s former fiance. Instead of being overly dramatic, their reunion is mostly friendly and serves to offer some more backstory for Novak.

It also mixes things up a bit, which isn’t a bad thing, either. 

The three of them even wind up getting called to Molly’s, where we see a bartender we’ve never met as well as Jack Damon, who happened to be in the right place at the right time.  

Meanwhile, Firehouse 51 gets a gunshot victim delivered directly to their door, but since Violet, Novak, and the ex-fiance are out on calls, they’re forced to do things differently.

They get the patient to the hospital with the rig instead, thanks to a call from Herrmann, who also echoes Wallace Boden with a confident, “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” 

It’s a nice call-back sort of moment, and it also affirms that Herrmann certainly does have what it takes to be Chief one day. Even if he questions that fact on this episode.

Herrmann remains stressed for most of the hour, after all, because he’s struggling to complete a mound of paperwork that Pascal has assigned him. It’s chief-level work, so he aims to impress, but cracks under the pressure.

It’s not all his fault, of course. It’s a chaotic night, and it’s not like he’s given a whole lot of time to focus. Still, he’s hard on himself, and it doesn’t help that when he delivers some of that paperwork to the main office, he’s scolded. 

Being able to get the work done isn’t the only mark of a good leader, though, as Stella points out by the end of the episode. Mouch rallies everyone at the house to help with the work, noting the importance of delegation.

Even Cruz sticks around, despite his efforts throughout the entire episode to just go home and relax.

The fact that everyone is willing to help is the thing that proves Herrmann has what it takes, and the hug he shares with Stella when she points that out is one of the best moments of the episode. 

I’ve enjoyed Pascal this season, but it really would be nice to see Herrmann in charge of the firehouse. 

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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