Chicago Fire midseason premiere recap: Inside These Walls

Chicago Fire’s midseason premiere destroyed more than Matthew Casey’s apartment. Here’s what happened in Chicago Fire season 7, episode 10.

The Chicago Fire midseason premiere had One Chicago fans worrying about Casey’s apartment, but that wasn’t the only thing that turned to ashes by the end of the hour.

Wednesday’s episode “Inside These Walls” started where the last episode left off, with Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) trying to get himself and girlfriend Naomi Graham (recurring guest star Kate Villanova) out of the burning apartment.

While Casey hacked a hole in the bedroom wall to get them both out, Naomi was more freaked out about her phone, which had all the evidence about the trailer conspiracy on it. Priorities, people!

They and the rest of the residents of the apartment building got out in one piece, but that was just the start of their problems. Casey and Naomi spoke to an investigator and told him how they were certain it was the trailer company’s fault.

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The next day, the rest of Firehouse 51 got the scoop on the fire from Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker), while Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) started up a collection for the Captain.

Meanwhile, things were still awkward between Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), who told Casey he could stay at the loft with him.

After saving people from a multi-vehicle accident, Severide met a businessman (that’s Chicago Justice alum Jordan Belfi) who wanted him to restore his boat. He was even willing to chip in money to help Casey! Yep, something was up there.

As for Casey himself, he got an update on the arson investigation along with Naomi and Boden. The cops had gotten images of the possible arsonist, but that wasn’t enough for Naomi and Casey, who pressured him to look closer at Gordon Mayfield. Unfortunately, Mayfield had an alibi—and a lawyer. Casey responded by calling the detective “scared” and storming out.

He and Naomi took matters into their own hands, though Casey was stunned and humbled when Herrmann and his wife Cindy (recurring guest star Robyn Coffin) presented him with everything that had been bought for him with the donation money.

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On the lighter side, the paramedics were enlisted to make a fire safety presentation, and they asked the rest of the crew for help. This led to many not great ideas before Otis (Yuri Sardarov) had a winner: an American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course.

Even if it could possibly result in hurt kids and a lawsuit, as Mouch (Christian Stolte) sarcastically pointed out. He wasn’t wrong.

Oh, and Chicago Fire finally confirmed that Tyler (returning guest star Tye White) had the hots for Stella when he kissed her. But she kicked him out of her apartment, saying that what she needed was a friend. At least the show stopped being so vague with that subplot.

While Stella showed up at Molly’s looking for a distraction, Naomi and Casey were calling every number in the Grandbrook employee directory until they were able to recognize the voice of the man who’d given Naomi the original tip.

They decided to go to Gary’s house, but Gary pretended he wasn’t Gary before trying to make a literal run for it. And elsewhere, Severide saw the poor parenting skills of his new employer. Not unlike a certain other Severide who is no longer with us. Dropping a hint there, Chicago Fire?

Back at his apartment, Gary admitted to tipping off Naomi and doing “side jobs” for the Mayfield family, but denied setting fire to Casey’s place. He did, however, come with them—and the cops—to confront Gordon and his henchman. Both were arrested, and Gary went to give a statement to the detective, leaving Casey and Naomi to share an angsty look.

The rest of Firehouse 51 had set up their fire safety presentation, only to find out that they were not working with teenagers; it was a bus load of senior citizens who shouldn’t be running any kind of obstacle course! Mouch saved the day with free tacos, though it turned out he’d known all along and just let his colleagues be surprised.

With the episode coming to a conclusion, Casey found a photo of himself and Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund) in the ruins of his apartment, even as Naomi told him “It’s just stuff.” Way to be empathetic, Naomi, though at least you apologized for putting him in trouble in the first place. And then decided to leave Chicago for Switzerland.

After bonding with the businessman’s son Riley, Severide found an unhappy Stella waiting for him. She told him he was right about Tyler, but reiterated that Tyler wasn’t the problem; she was tired of him pushing her away. She didn’t want to deal with that anymore. So, she’d decided to break up with him, too. Two breakups in less than five minutes! Way to end on a positive note, Chicago Fire!

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.