Just three episodes in, Chief Dom Pascal fires Jack Damon in Chicago Fire season 13,
and while I think it’s the right decision, I have two problems with it. As with the rest
of One Chicago, Firehouse 51 went through so many changes in the past year.
Despite a rather short run due to the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023, the team experienced several departures. Admittedly, I am sad seeing so many long-time characters leave, such as Blake Gallo, Sylvie Brett, and Chief Wallace Boden, but it allowed some exciting changes for the Chicago Fire season 13 cast.
The latest additions to Firehouse 51 happen to be at the forefront of the storytelling for Chicago Fire season 13, episode 3, “All Kinds Of Crazy.” After the conflict created by Benny Severide’s son, Jack Damon between his half-brother, Kelly Severide, and his wife, Stella Kidd, things get so much more complicated as they are forced to continue working together. I thought it was an organic way of bringing tension in the pair’s marriage instead of forcing their divide about having kids. That said, the story meets its end when Kidd comes clean to Dom Pascal the truth about Damon.
Dom Pascal Is Right To Fire Jack Damon In Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 3
Kelly Severide’s Brother Is Out Of Line
As skeptical as I am about Dom Pascal as Chief Boden’s replacement, I admit that he did the right thing by firing Damon in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 3. The moment is as straightforward, however, as he was initially thinking about booting out Kidd, convinced that she was the reason for the high turnover of members in Truck 81. While this seems to be the case, considering its history under her supervision, I was also convinced that his choice was partly because he didn’t want Kidd and Severide to work together on the same shift.
Officially, Pascal firing Damon is good for Firehouse 51 because of his attitude toward work, but on a personal note, not having him around lessens the potential issues for Severide and Kidd.
Luckily, before Pascal can officially write Kidd her transfer papers, he learns the truth about Damon. Getting rid of Severide’s brother is ultimately the right decision, especially after watching him drastically change in the last couple of Chicago Fire season 13 episodes Not only is he reckless and disobedient, but he also has no issues causing problems for his brother and sister-in-law. Officially, Pascal firing Damon is good for Firehouse 51 because of his attitude toward work, but on a personal note, not having him around lessens the potential issues for Severide and Kidd.
Aside from getting rid of Damon and preventing any more problems that he could create, I also appreciate that Chicago Fire season 13, episode 3 gives us more insight into Pascal’s leadership style. He did have such a bad introduction, and it will still take a while before he and the rest of Firehouse 51 can truly trust each other. That said, seeing him change his mind makes me realize that, despite his harsh demeanor, at least we can always count on him being fair.
Jack Damon’s Firing Continues Chicago Fire’s Inability To Stabilize Its Cast
Chicago Fire Has Been Plagued With Cast Changes
In the bigger scheme of things, Damon getting fired is great for Chicago Fire. That said, I have a couple of issues that come from the fallout from the incident. Firstly, losing Damon means that Kidd will have to go through the rigorous process of finding new personnel for Truck 81. Ever since Gallo left in Chicago Fire season 12, the team has had a couple of replacements who ended up leaving.
Gibson’s burgeoning rapport with Sam Carver was also intriguing…
Preceding Damon was Derrick Gibson, who seemed to be settling fine until he was unexpectedly written out. I personally liked Gibson. He was interesting, and I feel like Chicago Fire could have spent more time exploring his background. Gibson’s burgeoning rapport with Sam Carver was also intriguing to me. Sadly, before One Chicago could do anything substantial with the character, he decided to leave to deal with some personal issues.
Beyond Truck 81, however, Chicago Fire season 13 needs to have stability, especially after some big cast departures in the last couple of years. While the show is primarily about weekly fire cases, its main draw is its characters and their chemistry. Sadly, it’s difficult for the ensemble to jell together if there’s a constant revolving door of players. I am all for changing things to keep things fresh, but not when it’s happening every few months.
Jack Damon Leaving Firehouse 51 Ends His Story With Severide
Chicago Fire Has Barely Tackled Damon & Severide’s Relationship
My second issue with Damon’s firing is tied to his relationship with Severide. While he was introduced past halfway through Chicago Fire season 12, it was only in the finale that we learned about his real connection to Squad 3’s Lieutenant. In fact, my biggest gripe of this year thus far is not being able to see the fallout from that confession, since season 13 picked up after a considerable time jump. When it returned, Benny Severide’s sons were already bonding. Chicago Fire season 13 getting rid of Damon makes this issue worse because it ends the brothers’ storyline.
On top of not seeing how they developed an easy rapport after Damon’s bombshell reveal in the Chicago Fire season 12 finale, their relationship is also immediately ruined because of the younger Severide brother’s attitude change.
At this point, we have barely explored their dynamic. It would have been nice to see more of them talking about their different upbringing and memories of their dad. I also liked that Severide had someone else to regularly interact with besides Kidd. Sadly, One Chicago didn’t give the relationship enough time to actually flourish. On top of not seeing how they developed an easy rapport after Damon’s bombshell reveal in the Chicago Fire season 12 finale, their relationship is also immediately ruined because of the younger Severide brother’s attitude change.
Can Jack Damon Still Return After His Firing?
The Door Is Open For Damon’s Re-Appearance
The good news is that since he isn’t dead, the door remains open for Damon to make another appearance in Chicago Fire. While I doubt that he can still return and become a full-timer at Firehouse 51, especially after his final argument with his brother, the show can bring him back to continue his story with Severide. Admittedly, what he did in his last few weeks with the team is reprehensible, especially pitting his brother against his wife.
Chicago Fire can leave the storyline as it is, but aside from wrapping up Damon’s time on the show, I believe having closure is also very important for Severide.
However, I also want to see a proper resolution to this matter. Chicago Fire can leave the storyline as it is, but aside from wrapping up Damon’s time on the show, I believe having closure is also very important for Severide. Letting his little brother go like that will likely haunt him even though Damon no longer has a physical presence in Firehouse 51. At the very least, Chicago Fire season 13 should give them one final conversation.
