There’s quite some room for improvement in Chicago Fire, but fans want these things fixed first and foremost.

5. No Mystery, Politics, or Police Work

Political intrigues, police-like investigations, and enigmatic events are cool and all, but

they’ve been severely overdone in the past few seasons. Chicago Fire doesn’t need to pretend to be other shows for fans to love it. Showrunners need to stop throwing in a bunch of political drama and detective show elements where they’re blatantly not needed — and focus on itself.

4. New Central Points, Not Stellaride

Speaking of the interpersonal drama that’s a prerequisite element of any long-running TV show, the focus on Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide’s relationship has long overstayed its welcome. Let these two finally solve most of their problems and settle down with each other — and let’s see what’s going on with, well, the other dozens of characters. How about that?

3. An Actually Meaningful Tragedy

Another great way to set the tone for the new season would be a devastating and personal loss in Firehouse 51. Not in the way we’re used to seeing when someone dies, everyone grieves until the end of the episode, and completely forgets about it next week. Something truly tragic and plot-relevant would have done wonders for the series, serving as a new plot starter.

2. Long-Deserved Promotions

It’s a crying shame that veterans like Mouch and Herrmann have been so terribly neglected for so long. Kidd made it to Lieutenant in what, a few years? Mouch deserves the same. Herrmann, meanwhile, could easily replace Boden as the Battalion Chief. And if Kelly Severide is here to stay, he would make a fine new Captain. They all deserve it.

1. More Thrilling and Risky Rescues

While we’ve been largely focusing on the interpersonal stuff until now, there’s only one thing every Chicago Fire fan desperately wants: for the show to return to its roots. It’s a firefighting series, and we’re really here for dangerous calls, spectacular rescues, and unhealthy bursts of adrenaline. Whatever soap opera we’ve been watching lately, we want it to wrap up in favor of actual firefighting sequences.