Chicago Fire had a lot going on in season 11. It was not the most focused season, largely due to behind-the-scenes scheduling and sudden cast departures, but we would be lying if we said it wasn’t another wildly entertaining batch of episodes from our favorite firefighting team. A scattered season of Chicago Fire is still very much worth watching.
The show will be returning for season 12 in 2024, and as such, we thought now would be the perfect time to look back at season 11, and discuss the shocking/heartwarming moments that were head and shoulders above the rest. Everybody has their own favorite moments, but these are the ones that fans will remember when they look back on the year.
Brett turns the 51 into a Halloween attraction (Haunted House)
Season 11 was a great year for Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer). It started off rough, as she decided to break up with Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer), but the decision to focus on herself led to some really strong moments of characterization. “Haunted House” was a showcase for her comedic side.
The character was tasked with turning the 51 into a Halloween attraction for the local kids, and boy did she stress over it. The episode has lots of fun interactions between her and Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker), and the moment she has to confront a bunch of kids dressed as clowns (Brett hates clowns) results in one of the biggest laughs of the season.
Kidd and Carver survive an explosion (Something for the Pain)
Memorable for very different reasons. Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) had one of the most important character dynamics in season 11, going from enemies to friends to something bizarrely in between. “Something for the Pain” was a crucial moment in their development, because they were able to bond and prove their bravery to one another.
It helps that the episode wraps up with the two of them getting caught in an explosion, which is arguably the most tense and shocking moment of the entire season. Kidd and Carver took some damage (especially Kidd), but one gets the sense that they are now bonded for life as a result.
Cruz and Chloe officially make Javi part of the family (Nemesis)
A sweet moment for Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso), who is becoming more and more of a teddy bear with each passing season. His decision to bring an orphaned boy named Javi (Carlos S. Sanchez) home to his wife Chloe (Kristen Gutoskie) proved to be a life-changing one, as they both decided they should adopt Javi as their son.
It’s a story arc that culminates in the episode “Nemesis”, and it really hits home due to the stellar performances of all involved. Cruz didn’t have a ton to do on the action side of things in season 11, so we’re glad that he was given one of the better emotional storylines.
Herrmann’s wife Cindy beats lung cancer (The First Symptom)
Speaking of emotional. It was devastating for both the viewers and Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) when it was revealed that his wife, Cindy (Robyn Coffin), had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Cindy didn’t smoke, so it was especially shocking, but the Herrmann family buckled down and stayed strong in the face of adversity.
Their strength paid off in the penultimate season 11 episode, “The First Symptom”, in which Cindy got her test results back and was told that the cancer was completely gone. It was such a relief to hear, and it led to yet another emotionally rewarding moment. Chicago Fire still knows how to deliver the goods.
Casey proposes to Brett in the season finale (Red Waterfall)
Probably the most iconic moment to come out of season 11. Casey and Brett had been circling each other all year, especially after they’d split up, but the fact that the former kept coming back to Chicago and checking in on Brett made it clear that he still had feelings for her. It all culminated in the final moments of the season, where Casey returns to Brett’s doorway (the place where they shared their first kiss) and got on one knee…
He proposed, and Brett’s overwhelmed face pretty much says it all. It’s a moment that fans have had months to think about, and we certainly have because the season ends before we got to hear Brett’s answer. Now that we know Brett is leaving in season 12, we can safely assume that the answer is “yes” and the couple are going to be starting the next chapter of their lives together outside of the Windy City. At least they went out on a high note.