Chicago Fire Season 13: Why Episode 19’s Natalie Reveal Is So Disappointing

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Contains spoilers for “Chicago Fire” Season 13, Episode 19 — “Permanent Damage”

Spectators have been curious about the possible relationship between Natalie (Ava Torres) and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), especially since Natalie appeared in Episode 17, titled “A Beast Like This.” Given her extensive knowledge of Stella within the Girls on Fire program, it seemed as though she knew more about her teacher than would be expected. When Stella discovers that Natalie is a child she rescued from a fire a decade prior, the situation becomes more complex. Could it be that Natalie views Stella as the only reliable adult in her life and is trying to establish a family with Stella and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney)? Alternatively, could there be something more ominous at play?

In the episode titled “Permanent Damage,” viewers anticipate uncovering significant secrets, but the revelations are somewhat underwhelming. When Kelly investigates the house fire, he learns that Natalie asked Stella for help in reopening the case because she believes her rescuer has evidence indicating her sister deliberately set the blaze. However, Kelly’s investigation reveals a standard electrical fire with no indication of any wrongdoing. Upon hearing this, Natalie gives him what appears to be a leather-bound diary and claims Stella knows its contents. Despite the show’s efforts to keep Natalie’s background mysterious, the manner in which “Chicago Fire” delivers this revelation falls short of expectations.

If Stella’s memory of the fire was so significant, it’s puzzling that her response to recalling it seems so subdued. When Stella searches for Natalie in “A Beast Like This,” she acts as though Natalie is simply another girl she saved rather than a key figure in her past turmoil. However, the diary might hold some importance, but it appears to be just one of the fires she fought before moving to 51 and nothing more. But Natalie’s passion for firefighting, her drug problems, and her secretive nature about where she lives suggest a much deeper narrative is at play.

Plot holes keep sinking Natalie’s big reveal

In the climactic moment of “Permanent Damage,” Natalie’s revelation is marred by several inconsistencies. For example, Natalie claims that her sister deliberately started the fire with the intention of killing the entire family a decade ago. This raises questions about why Kelly allows her to return home with Julia Evans. It could be that he doubts Natalie’s recollection due to the report and her youth at the time of the incident, but it’s also plausible that she knows the truth and he’s sending her into danger. Given his knowledge of abusive authority figures by this point, his inaction seems illogical.

This scenario also removes some captivating storyline opportunities. The audience understands that Stella likely didn’t engage in any underhanded activities such as concealing the fire’s origin, and everyone is aware she was reassigned due to her station closing. Consequently, it appears extremely unlikely that she falsified this fire incident in her report. However, one might have found a twist where Stella did lie about the fire, potentially adding complexity to her squeaky-clean character. Since viewers have been frustrated with her since Season 11 at least, another reason for their discontent could have been provided. Regrettably, it no longer seems like this will occur, thanks to Natalie’s diary. Maybe the show still has a surprise up its sleeve, but until then, it feels like a letdown in terms of a potentially intriguing plot development — at least for now.

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2025-04-25 04:00