Chicago Fire season 8 character review: Joe Cruz

What Chicago Fire season 8 means for Joe Cruz

Everyone is well aware that Chicago Fire season 8 will stand as a turning point when it comes to Cruz. The show killed off his best friend and had him get married in the same season!

That first part is what this season of Chicago Fire will be most remembered for, and with good reason. Otis wasn’t just beloved by Cruz; he was also a fan favorite and a favorite of series co-creator and showrunner Derek Haas. The decision to kill him off, while warranted since the show had gone through enough close calls recently, is something that shook the whole show. It would have made zero sense if Cruz didn’t change drastically afterward.

It was fantastic that the show walked through every step of Cruz’s grieving process—not just the immediate sadness, but the practical effects as well as noting that Otis wouldn’t be there for his best friend’s wedding day. Chicago Fire showed the full extent of Cruz’s emotional arc, and that was the best tribute that the writers could have done, in addition to allowing for a great showcase for Joe Minoso.

The wedding was an interesting choice, as Cruz and Chloe have only been together for less than two seasons, but at the same time it was nice for the character to have a big happy moment to sort of balance out the massive loss he suffered. But how will Cruz adjust to marriage once the honeymoon period wears off? Will the show even bother with the subject? That could be a giant change for him, or it could become just a thing that happened.