Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 19 Review: Exit Point
Severide’s happiness regarding his upcoming promotion is short-lived as he returns home to find out he is under investigation for the work he has been doing with OFI on Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 19, “Exit Point.” Just as Lucy, we’re surprised that him doing something good is actually getting him in trouble.
And just like Lucy, we’re getting a little tired of Hopkins’s behavior and thirst for revenge. If you’re going to be chief of a firehouse, you should leave all your feelings at the door. Hopkins should not be using his position of power against Severide simply because he didn’t like his father. This is absolutely against everything we’ve seen other chiefs do.
It is sad and disappointing to see that Severide’s promotion is put on hold, and he is at risk of being suspended or terminated for something he didn’t actually do. Nevertheless, this might lead to a big change in his career.
Even though Hopkins tried to put a stop to Severide’s work with OFI, it backfires when the most recent fire demands his attention. This time, OFI gets approval from headquarters, leaving Hopkins with no choice but to comply.
The truth is that Severide is incredibly good at figuring out what and who started a fire. OFI would not be the same without him, as his closing rates are through the roof compared to other cases. OFI works because Severide continues to help out.
While Hopkins sees this work as an opportunity to bring Severide down, others see it as a way to advance his career. After solving the most recent case, the interim OFI chief tells Severide that she believes he should be the one doing her job and permanently transferring to OFI.
Severide seems to consider this offer because the work he does for OFI is work he genuinely enjoys. However, we can see the hesitation on his face. What would this mean for Firehouse 51? Can he really leave them behind and explore a different route in his career?
Severide stepping into OFI full-time would open the floor for Cruz to become Squad Lieutenant…a much better option than Hopkins looking at random resumes to replace Severide.
While Severide is out and about helping OFI, Cruz steps into the lieutenant’s shoes once more. This isn’t a surprise to anyone, but it is a refreshing reminder that if Severide did decide to transfer to OFI, the squad would be left in great hands.
Cruz has a more heartfelt approach to the way he works, making sure everyone on his team is okay and tackling issues head-on. The moment he sees Holt struggling, he tries to help. For Cruz, there is never a man left behind, no matter what they are going through.
He understands Holt’s pain. He knows what it’s like to lose a close friend on the job, and that is exactly what he brings to the table when he asks Holt to meet him.
Even though he first approached the situation by inviting Holt over to join their drills, he quickly realizes that isn’t the way to do it. Instead, he opens up to him and tells him about Otis, revealing a painful part of his past that Holt can relate to.
Whatever happens, we know Cruz would be the perfect replacement for Severide.
As Severide fights against Hopkins and Cruz mentors Holt, Mouch and Hermann are off doing their own thing. It’s beautiful to see their friendship still growing, evolving, and empowering them so many seasons in.
It is also quite great to see Mouch writing again. But it’s even greater to see Hermann encouraging him, reminding him that he is one of the most important characters in the story he is trying to tell.
That is the perfect summary of what Firehouse 51 is: a family that always pushes each other forward.
That push forward seems to be contagious, as someone goes against the regulation and sneaks a copy of the files Stella was denied when reaching out to CFD. Who could have gotten them for her? Are they also against Hopkins?
What did you think of this episode of Chicago Fire? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
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Lara Rosales
By day, Lara Rosales (she/her) is a solo mom by choice and a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature known as a Media Relations Expert. By night, she is a TV enjoyer who used to host a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things). You can find her work published on Eulalie Magazine, Geek Girl Authority, W Spotlight, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Nicki Swift, and Flip Screened.