Chicago Fire’s 3 best characters in season 7

1. Kelly Severide

Chicago Fire season 7 got the show back to its roots, with major storylines for both Casey and Kelly Severide. But while Casey got mixed up in a forgettable relationship with reporter Naomi Graham and his apartment burned down, this season was much more significant for Severide. In fact, one could call this Severide’s season.

That’s because with Dawson gone and the Dawsey relationship no longer a factor, it was Severide and Stellaride that came to the forefront. Severide was there to help Casey, and the two became roommates later in the season. Severide and Stella broke up, then surprised no one when they got back together since they were both clearly still hung up on one another.

There were some new friendships for Kelly that didn’t develop long—one with new paramedic Emily Foster (Annie Ilonzeh) that was impacted by Stella’s jealousy, and one with an adorable kid. Carl Grissom (Gary Cole) came back and made amends. And in a true gut punch, the writers made the questionable decision to kill Kelly’s father Benny Severide (Treat Williams).

No matter what your thoughts on that particular plot twist, at least it did provide a wonderful performance from Taylor Kinney, as Severide had to finally make peace with his father, especially after learning what Benny had done just before his death. Plus, he also got to close the case that had eluded his father in the season finale. Season 7 felt like a turning point in Severide’s life, and left us excited for what he’ll do in season 8.

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