As Chicago Fire celebrates its 300th episode and says goodbye to original star Joe Minoso, it’ll do so with help from a few familiar faces.
The 300th episode will feature the return of the entire Cruz family with Kristen Lee Gutoskie, Carlos S. Sanchez, and Finn Russell returning as Chloe, Javi, and Otis. We’re going to get to see the group appear in at least one scene together as a family, as confirmed by a recently released photo in which Javi and Otis meet their new siblings following the birth of Chloe and Cruz’s twins. This will mark the first time we’ll see the full Cruz family together on-screen in some time, and it seems only fitting that the moment comes via Minoso’s final episode.
Hopefully, we’ll get to see the family together for more than just a single scene, but even if we only see Chloe, Javi, and Otis with Cruz in that one scene, we’re glad the show is going to give us one final Cruz family scene before Minoso’s departure.
The 300th episode will also feature a mini Chicago Med crossover with Steven Weber guest starring as Dr. Dean Archer. Archer has been treating Cruz since the season 15 premiere, so it makes sense that he’s on hand in the episode. Sadly, we expect that his appearance won’t bring the best of news, as Archer will likely have to be the one to reaffirm what we already know: that Cruz won’t be able to return to the CFD, news that is sure to be the catalyst for Minoso’s exit.
We’re definitely curious to see how the show writes Minoso out of the series. We knew that his injury would be used to explain why he cannot return to 51, but we feel like that will just be a part of the exit storyline. After all, if he’s still in Chicago, it would be weird for him to just suddenly disappear entirely knowing how close the Firehouse 51 family is. Chicago PD had Atwater leave town after accepting a new job; perhaps Chicago Fire will take a page from the same book and relocate the family following Cruz’s injury with Chloe, or Cruz taking a new job as they look to begin this new chapter.
Chicago Fire’s 300th episode might feature a cameo from Yuri Sardarov
In addition to the confirmed returns of the Cruz family, the pair of season 15 recurring stars dropping in, and Steven Weber’s guest appearance, the Chicago Fire 300th episode might also feature a blast from the past in the form of a cameo from Yuri Sardarov.
While Sardarov does not appear on the official cast listings for the 300th episode of Chicago Fire posted on Rotten Tomatoes, there have been multiple indications that a surprise appearance could be coming as part of Joe Minoso’s sendoff.
Weeks before filming on the 300th episode began, listings went up for a stand-in posting for “SI Otis,” which was looking for actors around 5’9” with a slim to medium build and dark hair. This description lines up with Sardarov’s appearance, hinting that the stand-in was indeed for Otis. This job listing went out at the same time as the stand-in job listings for Archer and Javi, who are both appearing in the 300th episode, further indicating that this role was for the same episode.
Fast-forward to when filming began on the 300th episode, and suddenly Minoso began sharing a variety of fan-made edits celebrating Cruz and Otis. It might have just been coincidental, but the timing raised eyebrows as it felt interesting that Minoso opted to begin sharing them just as his final episode had begun shooting.
It would certainly be amazing to see Sardarov back for the 300th episode and Minoso’s sendoff. Otis and Cruz’s friendship was one of the show’s most important relationships during the early seasons, and that friendship never fades with Otis’s passing, as Cruz and the show have kept his memory alive. Bringing him back for the sendoff would be such an incredible moment for the fans, and we’re hoping the rumor turns out to be true.
We’ll find out whether Sardarov indeed makes a cameo in the episode when it airs on November 4!
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