Chicago Fire delivered a heartfelt episode through Mouch’s storyline

Mouch is usually used for comedic relief in Chicago Fire. However, his side storyline brought plenty of heart to a dramatic episode.

More often than not, Mouch’s side storylines are used for comedic relief throughout a Chicago Fire episode. It’s been that way since the beginning. However, the midseason premiere delivered a heartfelt storyline that left many in tears at the end.

The start of the episode involved a collision with a mail truck. All letters were sent flying, but Firehouse 51 collected them and made sure they could be sent back off on their way. However, there was one that got stuck to Mouch’s boot, and it was clear this letter was more than just junk mail or bills.

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We then got a storyline of Mouch trying to get the mail back to its intended recipient. While there were many jokes about mail being an outdated method of sending messages, Mouch clearly loved the old method of communication. It turned out that Mouch has fond memories of receiving letters. He’d get them from his dad while his dad traveled a lot.

But while that was sweet, it was the very end that had us in tears. Ritter used the old paper and scribble over the top trick to get the indentations, which gave Mouch the address. Off he went to hand-deliver the letter to a woman who immediately started crying.

That letter had come from the Middle East, where her husband had been on duty. Mouch quickly learned that the husband had been kicked while on active service, and this had to have been a letter he sent just before the incident. The letter was more than just a quick note home. It was a husband’s last words to his wife, adding a multitude of emotions to this one storyline.

For once, Mouch’s storyline wasn’t just used for comedic relief. It showed that letters are still important and doing that one little thing extra to return the missing letter left a woman with a final memory of her husband. I’d love to see Mouch and others used more in this way, as it added another layer to the character.

What did you think of the Chicago Fire Season 8 midseason premiere? What was your favorite storyline of the episode? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Chicago Fire Season 8 continues on Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC. Catch up on the episodes with Hulu.