As a seasoned gamer of the Chicago Fire TV series, I can’t help but feel like I’ve just stepped into a whole new level with the arrival of Dom Pascal as Firehouse 51’s new chief. The showrunner’s promise of twists and turns in how the firefighters react to his presence has certainly proven true so far, and it feels like a fresh breath of air amidst the familiar faces.
heads up! The upcoming episode of Chicago Fire, titled “A Monster in the Field,” contains plot details that may ruin your viewing experience if you haven’t seen Season 13 premiere yet.
The TV series titled “Chicago Fire” is set to return in the year 2024, but the Season 13 premiere didn’t simply pick up where it left off for the firefighters and medics at Firehouse 51. Besides the shocking revelation from last season’s finale that Damon is actually Severide‘s half brother, and Kidd grappling with Severide’s proposal for them to start a family, we also have a new character on the scene. Dermot Mulroney makes his debut as Firehouse 51’s new Chief, Dom Pascal, who has returned from Miami and is determined to run the station differently after the events of the finale. The comments made by showrunner Andrea Newman about the character’s introduction seemed more poignant following the season finale.
In our chat before Season 13, it was known that Dermot Mulroney would join the cast, but the reaction of the firefighters who had worked closely with Boden for years remained uncertain. When I inquired about who among the 51-year-old characters might be most impacted by Boden’s absence in the upcoming season, the showrunner hinted:
The storyline involving Boden’s departure and the arrival of a new firehouse chief presents an interesting dynamic, filled with unexpected reactions from the team. While some are accepting, others find it challenging, creating intricate interpersonal relationships among them all. It’s a complex situation that will surely impact everyone differently.
During the interview, it appeared that Herrmann might respond strongly to Dom Pascal, given that Boden had explicitly asked him to lead 51, and Engine Lieutenant Herrmann seemed eager to take on the responsibilities at the time. Since he had been chosen for this position and seemed keen to work hard, wouldn’t it be logical to think that he would feel the most uncomfortable with someone else occupying the chief’s seat?
It transpired that Herrmann embraced Pascal faster than anyone else at 51, whereas Kidd was initially reluctant to accept Pascal as Boden’s replacement, which now seems quite logical in retrospect. As she mentioned in “A Monster in the Field,” Boden wasn’t just a mentor to her on her firefighter journey; he gave her away at her wedding (a detail you can revisit by streaming their wedding episode with a Peacock subscription).
However, the most unexpected response came from Mouch, who hadn’t shown much animosity towards Pascal until he witnessed Herrmann’s reaction. It seemed that Herrmann was content with his position as Engine lieutenant and chose to remain in it, rather than claiming the role that Boden had desired for him. This creates a dilemma for Mouch, as he aims to become a lieutenant and replace Herrmann, so as not to have to leave 51. Although I hadn’t anticipated this from Mouch, it was reasonable.
Further down, Andrea Newman elaborated on the specific qualities the Chicago Fire squad seeks in an actor portraying Dom Pascal.
Initially, I was planning to exclaim that Dermot Mulroney was exactly what we needed! [laughs] Here’s the main point: Our intention was to make him dramatically distinct from Boden, and to create a significantly different atmosphere. To achieve this, we wanted this character to be enigmatic and unknown to these characters, not someone familiar or openly communicative, but rather a more elusive, mysterious figure. It turns out that Dermot embodies this perfectly. He brings all the mystery and layers to the character, which will make for an intriguing exploration this season. We’re genuinely thrilled about crafting his storyline and seeing how he shapes the character, as we progress throughout the season.
The Season 13 premiere did drop some details about the new chief, ranging from how he was a firefighter in the CFD before working in Miami to his very strained relationship with his wife. There are still more questions than answers, though, particularly after the visit he received from an old coworker from his first stint in Chicago’s Fire Department. Still, we can say with confidence that Dom Pascal is no Wallace Boden, for better or worse. When I noted to the showrunner that a chief not fitting in is very different from a floater not fitting in, Newman responded:
It’s so true. It’s that whole feeling in the first episode of him just striding to the firehouse saying, ‘I’m not Boden. I’m not trying to be Boden. New rules. Get ready. There’s gonna be some new rules around, some changes around here,’ and that’s just fun. It shakes everything up, and everybody’s affected by it. It really is different than bringing somebody, like you say, a floater or even just a new member on Truck or Engine. This is the whole tone of the show, in a way, and it’s an earthquake.
Chicago Fire hinted at the need for new faces in Season 12! I’m excited to see what Dermot Mulroney’s character contributes to the firehouse following the unexpected twists in the Season 13 opener. It would be great if we could catch a glimpse of Eamonn Walker as Boden at some point. For the moment, don’t forget to watch Chicago Fire every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, sandwiched between Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET, both on NBC.
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2024-09-26 05:39