Chicago Fire Season 13: Stella Kidd’s Tragic Backstory Explained

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Contains Spoilers for “Chicago Fire” Season 13, Episode 12

In the episode “Relief Cut,” viewers delve deeper into the background of Stella Kidd, portrayed by Miranda Rae Mayo from “True Detective.” Despite being a popular main character on “Chicago Fire” for some time, her past has remained shrouded in mystery. We were aware that she lost her parents at 12 years old, leading to her reliance on drugs and her unfortunate marriage to the abusive Grant Smith (Guy Burnet). However, this installment provides insights into what shapes her perspective on motherhood. Her cousin makes an appearance, revealing more about Stella’s history, and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) diligently uncovers additional details. This newfound knowledge could pave the way for a more fulfilling family life, potentially bringing immense happiness to them both.

What insights were gained into Stella’s upbringing? How has this background influenced her personally, and in her relationship with Kelly, and what is the impact on their dynamic following the end of the episode? Here lies the emotional complexity that “Relief Cut” added to Stella’s character.

Stella’s childhood fully explained

In the “Relief Cut” event, Stella’s elder cousin, Cole Williams (portrayed by Richard Blackmon), makes an appearance in town. At first, their relationship is somewhat tense due to their lack of communication since Stella became serious with Kelly. It appears that Cole had presumed Stella’s commitment to Kelly was her own idea. However, when the truth comes out, they manage to patch things up. Kelly then brings Cole to Molly’s, where he discovers a great deal about his future spouse that he wasn’t previously aware of.

It appears that Stella had to take care of her newborn cousin, Noah, due to her Aunt Laverne’s severe post-partum depression, as both parents had recently passed away. At just 13 years old, the responsibility made her mature quickly and the stress led her into drug use and a relationship with Grant. Cole shares with Kelly that Stella seemed tough on the outside, but there was deep pain hidden beneath. This insight helps explain why Stella has been hesitant about having children of her own.

How Stella’s childhood shaped her adult life

Stella’s relentless determination within the team and during challenging situations is effortlessly understood by knowing her upbringing was dedicated towards helping her cousins. From a young age, she learned that resilience was a crucial value, which she has carried over into her life. However, this tenacity can occasionally lead to difficulties, such as exceeding her physical limits as a firefighter or juggling multiple responsibilities like her job, her charitable work with Girls on Fire, and her marriage to Kelly.

Her act of founding Girls on Fire demonstrates her strong commitment to nurturing younger women. This explains why she’s hesitant about having a baby but open to adoption, particularly of an older child who could greatly benefit from her guidance and mentorship, perhaps alongside Kelly.

How Stella’s childhood shaped her relationship with Kelly

Whenever Stella and Kelly face disagreements, Stella typically chooses to evade them. Just as her prolonged stay in Boston involved ignoring his calls and going into hiding, she tends to steer clear of problems when they arise. However, when she genuinely worries about someone – such as when Kelly vanished for several months while working undercover for the ATF – Stella becomes proactive. Rather than allowing him to wallow in mystery, she tracks down Kelly and insists he shares his recent activities with her.

The final product is a relationship requiring extensive communication efforts, yet it flourishes when they can communicate effectively. Reaching that stage can be challenging for them at times, leading to some of the most engaging plotlines “Chicago Fire” has ever produced. It’s no wonder why “Chicago Fire” has never considered ending Stella and Kelly’s story.

Where she and Kelly go from here

In Season 13, it appears that Stellaride will welcome a new addition to their family. They’ve been trying for months to navigate parenthood, and while Kelly has always wanted children, Stella has shown hesitation about becoming pregnant. The idea of having kids during such critical career moments seems unappealing to her. Previously, the topic was put aside, but in “Relief Cut,” Stella revisits this matter.

Instead of carrying a child herself, Stella expresses her wish to adopt a family, as she had the advantage of being raised by her Aunt Laverne. This choice spares her from postpartum depression, which is why she’s not interested in having kids naturally. Fortunately, they seem to be making a more open dialogue about their child-rearing intentions, avoiding a potential Season 13 misunderstanding regarding children for Stellaride. Whether they will ultimately have a successful adoption story remains to be seen.

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2025-02-08 23:30