There was a lot to love about the 300th episode of Chicago Fire, but one thing we were definitely expecting and did not receive was the return of any familiar faces from the show’s past.
In the weeks leading up to the 300th episode’s release, reports swirled that the milestone episode would feature at least one returning character. Reel Chicago even went as far as to report that multiple members from the show’s past would return, including “one major familiar face," whose identity the site claimed to have known, as it told readers, “some surprises are better left for the screen.”
Well, the episode came and went without any major returns, with the only familiar faces popping up in the episode being Cruz’s family. Yes, it was great to see Chloe, Javi, and Otis in the episode, but Kristen Lee Gutoskie had already appeared in two episodes this season ahead of the 300th episode, and we wouldn’t necessarily classify Javi or Otis as “major” characters given they’ve only appeared in a small handful of episodes throughout the years.
It was definitely disappointing that no original characters from the show’s early days dropped in for Cruz’s sendoff or simply as part of the 300th episode celebration; however, it seems we did come close to the show bringing back a founding member of the show’s cast!
In an interview with Deadline following his exit from the show, Joe Minoso revealed that there had been conversations to bring Yuri Sardarov back as Otis—a moment that would have marked his first appearance on the show since his exit back in the season 8 premiere.
“We were actually hoping that we could figure out how he could come back. But it felt right. I think this gives you the opportunity to miss Otis that much more. There was a moment where I maybe threw something out like, [Otis] is the guy that gets Cruz out of the burning building,” Minoso revealed of the discussions had about bringing Sardarov back for Minoso’s sendoff episode.
Ultimately, those conversations did not work out, as Otis did not appear in the episode, but the show found a really touching way to make his presence felt in a more creative way. In his final scene, Cruz visited Otis’s memorial outside Firehouse 51 and caught up with his friend, recalling how convinced he was that Otis was going to kill him when he decided to join Squad. He then went on to assure him that Capp had promised him he would take care of the memorial after Cruz left, which he joked meant Tony would, and reminded his late friend that he would always be with him no matter what.
It was a touching moment, and I’m not going to lie, I truly thought that when Cruz walked away to join the rest of the Firehouse 51 team for a group photo, the camera was going to pan out to reveal Otis standing there watching his friend walk away. That would have really brought the episode together and been such a fun way to wrap the 300th, and it's a shame the powers that be opted not to bring Sardarov back.
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.
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