It’s safe to call season 12 a transitional year for Chicago Fire.

The show has roughly half the screen time it usually does to

tell stories due to the strikes, and several main characters

exited the show along the way. Firehouse 51 has been through a rough stretch, there’s no two ways about it.

Unfortunately for the team, but fortunate for all of us at home, the worst has yet to come. Chicago Fire showrunner recently sat down for an interview with TV Insider, and she confirmed that there is plenty more drama that will go down during the final episode of the season.

The synopsis for the finale, “Never Say Goodbye,” makes it clear that more personnel changes are in store:

“Summary. Boden makes a decision that impacts the race for Deputy Commissioner. A tense call brings up painful memories for Carver and Damon. Mouch struggles to adjust to the new Truck.”

It’s been confirmed that Eamonn Walker will be stepping down from his role as Chief Boden after this season, at least in a full-time capacity. We’re also curious to see whether Mouch’s aforementioned struggles lead to him considering retirement. We digress.

Newman told the outlet that the season 12 finale will focus on “relationships,” and the complications that arise when the people in the firehouse are put in consistently dangerous situations. We’ve seen variations on this theme over the years, but “Never Say Goodbye” will reportedly drive it home.

The season 12 finale will focus on Stellaride

The showrunner also warned viewers to be ready for “surprises”:

“More conflict and surprises ahead! Imminently! Relationships are always complicated, but especially when you work so closely in a life-and-death job.”

The synopsis may focus on Boden and Mouch, but Newman also confirmed that Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) will be important players in the final season 12 episode. They aren’t in danger, per say, but they are going to have to sort some things out regarding the future of their marriage.

“Severide and Kidd are deeply in love, and the heat is always on between them,” Newman explained. “But that just makes it more explosive when conflicts arise.” As long as they both stick around, we are here for the conflict!