Well, that was intense.
Thanks to our interview with Joe Miñoso, we had some idea of what would come, but Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 90 still surprised us with Cruz’s problem and a heartwarming story with Lieutenant McHolland.
Let’s dig in!
Cruz Is In Big Trouble
Cruz is in a bit of trouble. His immediate reaction to Flaco’s cousin’s demands was that he wouldn’t break the law no matter what he threatened to do. But if you think about it, Cruz already took the law into his own hands when he let Flaco out rather than saving him.
It’s been Cruz’s biggest moral dilemma, and it has weighed heavily on him. How could it not? But he was able to move on, comfortable that his decision allowed his brother to chart a better life for himself.
But the bottom line is that he once let a man die to save Leon — there’s nothing he wouldn’t do to save someone he loves. And if he went to that extreme once, he could do it again.
No amount of character growth can wipe out what he did or how he struggled with it, and it can’t cement his choice not to do it again, either.
But this is different. What Flaco’s cousin is holding against Cruz is his past.
Junior’s threat is that if Cruz doesn’t help him recover $100 grand that he’d had stashed and stolen from him, he’ll reveal what Cruz did to his coworkers and his family.
If Cruz should have learned anything from his 12 years at 51, it’s that they function in the gray areas, and their decisions aren’t always heroic. And when those things happen on Chicago Fire, the worst they can do is to shoulder the burden on their own and push away everyone who cares about them.
By the time Cruz realized he was making a mistake, Junior pulled a gun on him. If he could pull a gun on Cruz, he could have just as easily done it on the thieves without bringing Cruz into it. Junior came of as kind of a wuss, like without Cruz, he didn’t have the courage to go it alone.
It’s just too bad that Cruz didn’t feel he could trust someone else with his predicament. Otis was his person, and Cruz has never found a friend as deep as he had in Otis.
Now Cruz has another dead man on his hands. It’s like history repeating itself. What a nightmare.
Nothing is ever as bad as going it alone, which is where Cruz’s story ties in with Mouch’s.
Mouch and Herrman Passed Their Exams!
Herrmann and Mouch passed their exams, with Herrmann now outranking Severide. It’s about damn time!
Their first official fire as ranking officers was extreme. They didn’t get to start small, as they fought to save victims of an apartment fire.
What they discovered initially made me think that maybe the fire had been set deliberately.
Of COURSE, Mouch’s first save as a lieutenant would be a man who’d been dead for several days. If something strange is coming for 51, you can guarantee Mouch or Herrmann will be involved.
Sadly, the man, George Thompson, was a victim of something worse than a crime — loneliness.
George had no friends, family, or visitors whatsoever and never left the house. If the apartment hadn’t caught fire, it may have been much longer before he was discovered.
That really hits Mouch hard. If he hadn’t “saved” George, he would have been put in a lonely grave to go with his lonely existence. Mouch changed that. That’s downright heroic, and Herrmann’s recognition of that made my heart swell.
Herrmann: You did it, Mouch.
Mouch: What did I do?
Herrmann: You became the person that you were looking for. You’re the someone who knows George Thompson.
Ritter: And now other people that read that will, too.
Herrmann’s big crisis was whether the firehouse’s desire to celebrate their promotions or if they were being punished for their successful proprietorship — or something.
If there’s a chance to pull the damper on his own excitement, Herrmann will find a way to do it.
It’s kind of special how grumpy he is no matter how well things are going for him.
— Novack
His recovery by recognizing Mouch’s good deed was all the celebration we really needed.
Death by Cringe?
Violet’s attempt at teasing Carver was humiliating. She not only had to point out that she was kidding with her lame comment after his first time at the wheel, but he responded with a droll, “That’s a good one.” Ouch.
Novack assured Violet she couldn’t die from extreme cringe, but if you’ve ever been in Violet’s shoes, you might wonder if that’s true.
Things settled between them when Violet and Carver were decorating Molly’s.
Carver’s “you just saved the party” after Violet fixed the banner he hung landed much better than her early attempt at humor, but considering where they were during Chicago Fire Season 12, it’s not much.
Are you still rooting for them? They’re such great characters, and if they truly found a way to be together, I think their relationship could be really special.
Severide is Back, but Stella is Out
Are you kidding me? Severide finally comes home, and Stella is out of town with New Girls on Fire in Baltimore? Oy vey.
It did give Severide the opportunity to take on someone else’s fire investigation, which isn’t always easy when Kidd’s around.
That case? The 12-year-old fire that took Flaco’s life once Cruz turned his back on him.
Weirdly, Pascal inserted himself into Severide’s business by pointing out he’s juggling a lot. Severide always does, but with Stella gone, he’s got even more time to play with. The timing of Pascal’s inquiry was odd, but he’s often a little different.
Pascal Pushes His Weight Around
It turns out that Pascal doesn’t appreciate being overlooked. If Van Meter wants to utilize Sevide’s expertise, he’s got to go through Pascal first.
Is this because Pascal isn’t one of the gang yet? Would making friendships with his team help him better understand them and what motivates them?
The last thing you want to do is alienate one of your best guys, especially under the guise of protecting their time or something.
But Van Meter told Severide about the conversation before Pascal did, and Pascal recovered really well by telling Severide how important his leadership is and that he just wants him standing by his side.
Severide is already concerned about Cruz. How will Pascal take it if something happens and Severide reveals he had a hinky feeling about Cruz? Pascal could find a way to blame Cruz’s actions on Severide.
We still can’t get a good read on Pascal, but I’m enjoying the mystery. At this point, he could go either way, and it keeps his storylines fresh.
What did you think of “A Favor”?
Are you surprised Cruz is on his own with another death? Were you as moved by Mouch’s story as I was? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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