Chicago Fire May Have Secretly Written Out 1 of Its Best Characters

Currently in its thirteenth season, NBC’s top-rated show consistently stands out among viewers. The One Chicago series, a staple of Wolf Entertainment, excels at character interplay across shows, setting it apart from other franchises. Whether it’s a brief cameo like Mouch’s (Christian Stolte) in Season 10, Episode 15 of Chicago Med, titled “Down in a Hole,” or a full three-show crossover, such as the recent “In the Trenches: Part I, Part II, and Part III” episodes from each show’s current season, the series repeatedly demonstrates its superiority in this area compared to other Wolf Entertainment franchises.

Regardless of Chicago Fire‘s compelling characters and gripping plotlines, it’s not uncommon for the show to experience a revolving door with its cast. It feels like every season brings new faces or bids farewell to significant ones, and Season 13 has been no exception. In the final episode of Chicago Fire‘s Season 13, titled “In the Rubble,” Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) stepped into a vacancy at Firehouse 51 that had lingered for quite some time. Although it took some convincing from Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), by the end of the episode, Pascal had hired Jack Damon (Michael Bradway), Severide’s half-brother, to fill an empty position on the Engine. This permanent placement could potentially mean that beloved character Kylie Estevez may no longer appear on the show.

Who is Kylie Estevez?

The Young Firefighter Got Her Start with Stella Kidd

In the show, character Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) initiated Girls on Fire, a program she created to attract more women to the Chicago Fire Department. During Season 8, Episode 18, “I’ll Cover You,” Stella encountered high school student Kylie Estevez (Katelynn Shennett), who was not only interested in the program but was so persuaded by Stella that she invited friends to join her at the first class and soon became one of Stella’s top students. However, Kylie stopped attending classes in Season 8, Episode 20, “51’s Original Bell.” Upon discovering that Kylie needed a job to support her family, Stella attempted to encourage her to return to class. In Season 9, Episode 2, “That Kind of Heat,” when Chief Boden was overburdened with administrative duties due to the pandemic, Stella proposed bringing Kylie aboard to assist and continue participating in Girls on Fire. From then on, Kylie became part of the Firehouse 51 family.

Kylie stayed at the Firehouse while completing high school and preparing for the firefighter exam. During this time, she formed a strong bond with Daniel Kyri, and the entire firehouse rallied behind her. Despite Kidd’s desire to have Kylie join Firehouse 51 as a probationary firefighter, Kylie sought a different experience and joined another firehouse. However, she frequently visited Firehouse 51 on various assignments.

Kylie could take a position on the Engine, under Herrmann, while Ritter moved to the Truck. Intrigued by this opportunity, Kylie accepted and has appeared in just three episodes of Season 13. Unfortunately, with Jack Damon’s recent return, Kylie’s vacant spot at Firehouse 51 has been filled once more.

Jack Damon Had a Rough Start in the CFD

Severide’s Half-Brother Came with a Chip on His Shoulder

Upon his debut at Firehouse 51, it didn’t take long for spectators to sense that Jack Damon concealed a secret or two. Reminiscent of Sam Carver (played by Jake Lockett), who frequently grappled with his own past, Damon appeared to harbor secrets from his history as well. This became even more evident when Darren Ritter uncovered Damon making a furtive phone call and noticed his unusual fascination with Kelly Severide. Although it could be interpreted as eagerness to learn from one of CFD’s legends, this behavior didn’t sit well with several Firehouse 51 firefighters. It wasn’t until Season 12, Episode 13, titled “Never Say Goodbye,” that Severide and viewers discovered the truth about Damon – he was Kelly’s long-lost half-brother.

In the start of Season 13, Chicago Fire skipped over some uneasy moments between Severide and Damon as they adjusted to their new brotherly bond. However, a seamless relationship wasn’t immediately established. Damon grappled with figuring out how to create his own identity, instead of living in the shadows of Kelly and their late father Benny (previously portrayed by Treat Williams). He also faced challenges in finding his footing at Firehouse 51. After multiple disagreements with Stella Kidd, Damon sought Severide’s intervention, but this only escalated the situation. As a result, new Battalion Chief Dom Pascal and Kidd decided to assign Damon to a different firehouse. This change was tough on both Damon and Severide, but it proved beneficial for Damon. A confrontation with a fellow firefighter, who abandoned him during a fire and then lied about it, led to Damon being placed back in the floater pool. In this difficult time, both Severide and Kidd supported Damon, eventually persuading Pascal to allow his return to Firehouse 51.

Kylie Isn’t Chicago Fire’s Only Loss in Season 13

Newly Announced Cast Departures Throw Fans for a Loop

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I must say that the character of Kylie, beyond her bond with Stella Kidd, held immense significance due to her role as a female firefighter – a position not frequently seen on Chicago Fire. With only a handful of women firefighters in the show’s history, such as Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund), Lieutenant Wendy Seager (Andy Allo), and Rebecca Jones (Daisy Betts) from previous seasons, the presence of Kylie and the Girls on Fire team left an indelible mark.

Losing Kylie serves to underscore the persistent stereotype that firefighting is predominantly a male profession, and it strips Kidd of a crucial relationship. One of Stella Kidd’s defining traits is her advocacy for gender equality in the workplace and her dedication to mentoring aspiring young female firefighters. As Kidd progresses in her career, it will be fascinating to observe how the absence of Kylie might influence her journey.

Regrettably for enthusiasts, the hit series Chicago Fire continues to undergo alterations. By Season 13, Episode 18 titled “Post Mortem,” which aired on April 16, Damon will be recuperating due to injuries sustained in the house fire within the episode. Moreover, both Jake Lockett (Sam Carver) and Daniel Kyri (Darren Ritter) are set to depart from the show at the end of this season. Daniel Kyri’s exit is especially disheartening given the departure of Eamonn Walker’s Wallace Boden at the end of Season 12, as Kyri was the last Black firefighter, or character, remaining on the show. Although it’s common for One Chicago shows to experience change, the exits of Kylie, Ritter, and Carver have left many viewers questioning the decisions made by NBC and Wolf Entertainment. With the season approaching its conclusion, viewers won’t know how these changes affect the show until after the summer.

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC, and streams the next day on Peacock.

2025-04-22 06:56