There's a lot of Chicago Fire characters to keep track of. There's the current 51 roster, plus all the other characters who have come and gone over the years. You'd be forgiven for forgetting about some of them, the same way writers should be forgiven for not giving each of them a juicy arc to engage with each episode. There's simply not enough time.
That said, season 13 has done a good job of spreading the wealth. Multiple characters have had standout seasons, be it through their personal or professional achievements within the show. We decided to recognize these characters, these MVPs, while also highlighting those who could get some more love moving forward.
MVP: Stella Kidd
Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) had a slow start in season 13. We covered, at length, the ways in which it felt like she was being sidelined and subject to following whatever storyline Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) happened to be involved in. Fortunately, this issue has been remedied in the second half of the season.
Kidd was one of the most vital pieces of the One Chicago crossover. She also crushed it in the episode "Relief Cut," where we not only got to learn more about her past and family, but we got to see her take a huge step forward and decide to start a family. She's even found time to focus on her Girls on Fire program.
Underused: Sam Carver
Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) was one of the best Chicago Fire characters in season 12. He was a burst of energy in a sometimes static firehouse, and though he could be frustrating, he was also exciting. It never seemed clear what Carver was going to do next, but it feels like he's been tamped down and severely sapped of his energy in season 13.
We're not saying that there hasn't been good reason. The character obviously has personal issues, but his rocky relationship was a storyline that felt like it sidelined him, and his side quests episodes, like "Quicksand," where he befriends a dog, feel inconsequential to the main narrative. Hopefully he gets back on track.
MVP: Kelly Severide
Severide's future with Chicago Fire seemed really shakey for a bit there. The character was on the move, and doing everything he could to work outside of the constraints of Firehouse 51. Season 13 has reassured us that he isn't going anywhere.
The character has settled nicely into his veteran phase. He's less of a daredevil than he used to be on the job (understandably), and has proven more than capable of serving as an anchor presence, even when he's not the main focus. Plus, fatherhood is around the corner.
Underused: Dom Pascal
Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) has won us over. It was never going to be easy to fill the shoes of Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker), but he has proven to be a strong leader in times of crisis. We just feel like there's so much about Pascal that has yet to be explored.
We know his marital situation is complicated, and he's quietly establishing a friendship with Severide, but we would love to see the character take center stage in an episode, and reveal a bit more about himself so that the fans can get a better grasp of who he is.
MVP: Lyla Novak
We're surprised too! Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) hasn't had a ton of screen time, but she has made the absolute most of it over the course of season 13. Her friendship with Violet has already become one of the most beloved dynamics on the show, and the hints about her tragic past have us all intrigued to learn more.
Novak has delivered on the dramatic front, but she also represents a lightness and fun side to the show that has been lacking somewhat over the last few seasons. We dig it, and we want more.