Chicago Fire season 13, episode 2 recap and review

It’s another night of calls for Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 2. We get a chance to see Damon working with Severide, as well as Violet take the lead on a hairy call. Let’s break down the events that happened.

Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from Chicago Fire season 13, episode 2.

There are a few big calls happening throughout the night. When Damon disobeys orders from Kidd, he turns to Severide for help. It risks putting Severide and Kidd at odds, and it’s clear that Severide knows that.

Violet and Novak deal with some tricky situations. This is clearly a chance to see Violet take control of situations, while also giving Carver a chance to see what he’s missing.

Then there’s the humor for the episode, which is usually via Mouch or Herrmann. It’s Herrmann who brings it, as he searches for a scent to spice things up with Cindy.

Hermmann is honest about not taking the Captains test in Chicago Fire

During the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere, Herrmann said that he was ill before the Captains test, and that’s why he didn’t sit it. It was clear from his expressions that this wasn’t the truth, and it didn’t take long for him to admit all to Mouch.

Once he takes the Captains test, he’s not that far away from the Chiefs test. That will mean taking Boden’s place, and Herrmann is scared. It’s such a cute moment as we see Herrmann acknowledge that nobody can actually take Boden’s place.

Mouch makes it clear that Boden chose Herrmann for this. Of course Herrmann can do it. With that pep talk, Herrmann says that he’ll take the next test. Throughout the episode, Mouch studies for the lieutenants exam every moment he has, but Herrmann is off searching for his signature scent after Cindy visits the firehouse and is very happy with his smell. What is it?

After looking around the firehouse, Herrmann realizes that he needs to check up on the patient from the boat accident. It leads to a very awkward moment as Herrmann tries to pull finding out the scent on just checking up on the poor guy. When it turns out to be prescription psoriasis cream, Herrmann offers to buy it.

This moment was so important for me. So often, shows don’t focus on what really takes to keep a marriage going. Herrmann and Cindy have constantly shown that it requires communication and connection, and we see that in this episode. Cindy buys them a few hours with the kids, and Herrmann follows orders with the scent.

However, this whole storyline isn’t without some sort of follow-up with Mouch. It’s clear that he doesn’t want to leave Firehouse 51, but he wants a promotion. The only way he can do that is for Herrmann to get his promotion. We’re reminded of the family unit, but we’re also reminded of how everyone has their own dreams. Don’t worry; Herrmann is taking that exam.

Damon disobeys orders, putting Severide and Kidd at odds

The first call of the night involves a boat incident. Damon immediately rushes in, ignoring Kidd’s orders. It does look like he may not have heard Kidd tell him to stay back, but he does end up admitting that he ignored it. He wanted to be part of the action.

Damon is sure that Kidd has it out for him, so when Kidd tells Damon that he will run drills with Squad 3, Damon thinks that it is all Severide’s doing. I love that it’s actually Kidd’s doing, and she admits that it’s for selfish reasons. She wants Damon to push himself, but she also wants him to see what the work on Squad 3 is like.

Damon isn’t ready for this line of work. Sure, he wants to be just like his big brother, but he needs to do the work. And Kidd needs a strong Truck. Dom is coming after her, and he points out all the turnover with Truck.

It’s not really fair to bring up the turnover. Most of it has been out of her control. I mean, one of the biggest changes was Casey leaving. Gallo moved for family reasons, and things just didn’t work out with Gallo’s first replacement last season. This is nothing to do with Kidd’s leadership.

I really hope that Dom doesn’t have a problem with Kidd because she’s a woman. I hope it’s just that he’s seeing problems that he’s come across in the past that link to whatever events happened in Miami.

Cruz finally talks to Severide about the Damon problem

My favorite moment was Cruz finally stepping up to share his fears with Severide about Damon. It’s not that Cruz is jealous. In fact, Cruz is just looking out for his lieutenant and his friend.

Cruz has been there as the big brother. He’s felt like he’s needed to look out for his little brother and do everything possible to make up for said little brother getting the short end of the stick. Cruz thinks that this is what Severide is doing, and I do think he might be right.

This does lead to Severide being honest with Kidd about Damon lying to her about ignoring orders. I’m so glad that we had this moment. Severide and Kidd have already been through so much. Having this moment of maturity from Severide shows his growth as a character. In the past, he would have hidden the truth for the longest time., but he's willing to own up to his mistakes.

This does lead to Damon getting angry with Severide. Damon clearly has a lot of baggage, but it looks like we won’t find out what that is. Severide makes it clear that they can’t work in the same firehouse and one has to go. That won’t be Severide will it? It’s going to cause more problems for Kidd, though.

Tensions continue between Dom Pascal and his wife in Chicago Fire

It was clear from the first episode that Dom and his wife aren’t on the best terms. This second episode sees her visit the firehouse, where she gives him a key and apologizes for changing the locks. I do get the feeling that there is something going on with her mentally. It does seem like a bit of a toxic marriage considering the way she said she was “in a mood” and that’s why she changed the locks.

Before this, Dom bumped into an old friend, who mentioned that she was sorry to hear Dom and his wife had split up. Who has said this? Well, it turns out the Monica mentioned it to someone called Stephen Vale. Dom was not happy with this, which means drama there. Did Monica have an affair? Is that what they’re supposedly trying hard to rebuild after?

There are certainly far more questions than answers with the way that episode ended. Now next Wednesday needs to arrive already!

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC. Catch up the following day on Peacock.