Chicago Fire season 8 finale takeaways: 51’s Original Bell

What can Chicago Fire fans learn from 51’s Original Bell? Look closer at the season 8 finale with our Chicago Fire season 8, episode 20 takeaways.

What did One Chicago fans learn from the Chicago Fire season finale? Here’s what we took away from this week’s installment, “51’s Original Bell.”

“51’s Original Bell” featured Capp (Randy Flagler) getting injured in the line of duty, leading Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) to use every tool at his disposal to make things right. Meanwhile, one of the paramedics was on the verge of leaving Firehouse 51.

If you missed any of this week’s episode or just want a refresher on the events that we’re about to discuss, you can catch up with our Chicago Fire recap.

Below are our takeaways from this week’s episode:

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1) Foster’s finale leaves questions

Emily Foster (Annie Ilonzeh) is headed back to medical school, as the episode saw her going for an interview and NBC subsequently confirmed that Ilonzeh is not returning next season.

That’s a pretty short run; her character lasted less than two full seasons on Chicago Fire, though part of that was because season 8 ended ahead of schedule. (It’s not the shortest tenure as a series regular on this show, though; shorter ones have happened.)

It makes us wonder what happened. Did Ilonzeh decide two seasons was enough time for her, or did the writers come to the conclusion that something was lacking with the Foster character?

She has been a bit underdeveloped—all we really know about Foster is that she didn’t finish med school and that she’s bisexual. But the show could have fixed that next season if it wanted to. So while this isn’t as huge a loss as, for example, the exit of her predecessor Gabriela Dawson, it feels like walking away from an unfinished work.

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2) We need more Capp in our lives

This isn’t necessarily something new, but it’s worth reiterating based on the events of this episode. Randy Flagler is a national treasure, and it was amazing to see him get his own storyline in the Chicago Fire season finale, even if it wasn’t great for his character.

One thing that’s been great about how Derek Haas runs the show is he recognizes all of the supporting players who have made the series that much better, and he finds ways to give them their due. Whether it’s a storyline like this, or a scene like Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) had in the hundredth episode, he and his writers keep the firehouse fleshed out.

Now we know more about Capp, because we’ve gotten to see where he lives, and Flagler delivered a wonderful performance, too. Hopefully we’ll get another Capp story in the future. Maybe with his pal Tony (Tony Ferraris)?

3) It’s a small ED

After having not one but two cases to handle in the Chicago Med season finale, Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) also pulled double duty in the Chicago Fire season finale. Not only did he examine Capp, but he also treated Brett and Foster’s patient who had glued her mouth shut.

That makes it look like Will was the only doctor working in the ED—but honestly, this was more than likely one of those times where something behind the scenes affected what happens in the show.  Production-wise, it’s definitely easier to use Nick Gehlfuss twice, then have to pull two actors away from Chicago Med for two small scenes.

This is totally understandable, but it does also create some unintentional humor, because it looks like Will has either become some sort of Superman or is incredibly overworked. Also, he probably needs to not talk so much about things that don’t concern him (sorry, Foster!).

For the latest Chicago Fire season 8 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.