Chicago Fire season 7 midseason report: Christopher Herrmann

How has Chicago Fire season 7 gone for Christopher Herrmann? Before Chicago Fire returns, we’re reviewing the season for David Eigenberg’s character.

Before Chicago Fire comes back in the new year, we’re taking a moment to pause and look at the current season for each character. What are the important events that fans need to remember?

What plot developments have been good for them, and which ones need to be improved? And of course, where could they go next when new episodes start on Jan. 9?

Read through the below as we look at Chicago Fire season 7 as it relates to Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), starting with:

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What’s happened so far

One of the biggest surprises Chicago Fire had in the first nine episodes was Herrmann finally getting his promotion to Lieutenant.

It came as a surprise to him, as Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) promoted Herrmann so Firehouse 51 didn’t have to take on Jerry Gorsch’s (Steven Boyer) choice for Lieutenant.

But however it happened, it was well deserved. And even moreso for Herrmann, who’d had a shot at the higher rank seasons ago only to lose it due to his short fuse. So it was rewarding that he finally got what he deserved.

Herrmann has had some issues adjusting to being management, like quipping that he couldn’t get into the team’s calendar search because now he’s one of the white shirts. Of course, that didn’t last, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

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What it means

Herrmann’s promotion was one of the great Chicago Fire moments. It was totally unexpected but when you took a second to think about it, also totally deserved. Herrmann has worked so hard for however many years, and especially after his last shot at promotion, it felt like he’d never get that recognition. But he did, even if it was through a roundabout way.

There’s also been plenty of comic relief in watching Herrmann adjust (or not adjust) to his new rank. David Eigenberg is great playing the irony of it: that Herrmann has earned the management position, but also doesn’t have a management personality. Hopefully we’ll see more of that in the remaining 13 episodes. After all, Casey’s promotion changed his dynamic with the other members of Firehouse 51, so why wouldn’t Herrmann’s, too?

What’s next

Herrmann being a Lieutenant has thus far been used mostly for comic relief, but Chicago Fire could take that other places. He’s now part of the management level along with Boden, Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney)—so what point of view will he bring when they have to make big decisions?

Will having him as a white shirt help when Boden gets into the almost inevitable battle with the Fire Commissioner? Or, conversely, will Herrmann’s tendency to speak before thinking once again cause a problem? There are ways now to work him further into the political storyline that’s been brewing and really have some fun with the character.

Especially when David Eigenberg can deliver spot-on monologues and rants, Herrmann should be viewed as a secret weapon in the rest of Chicago Fire season 7; he could drop a huge bomb at the right time.

For the latest Chicago Fire season 7 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.