We're all excited for Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) to return to Chicago Fire. We have been waiting all season for the beloved former 51 chief to pop back up, and we were starting to fear that we would have to wait until season 14 to see him again.
We aren't here to talk about Boden, though. We did that here. We're here to talk about another former 51 member who is going through some professional turmoil at the moment. A character who left the firehouse until less than stellar circumstances, but has made huge improvements.
Jack Damon is navigating work drama
Yes, we mean Jack Damon (Michael Bradway). The character was reintroduced in the episode "Bar Time," in a brief but surprisingly memorable cameo, and then returned for "Too Close." Damon was praised by his peers for a daring building rescue he recently pulled off, but the unexpected fallout from the rescue may force the character to return to 51.
Damon's partner, Jenner, chickened out during the aforementioned building fire, and claimed that he got separated from Damon. His paranoia has gotten the best of him since, and he threatened to ruin Damon's career if he ever revealed the truth. The young firefighter gets questioned on the matter, however, and has no choice but to come clean.
Damon's days at his current firehouse are numbered, and his half-brother, Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) spent most of "Too Close" trying to figure out a solution. He considered transfering Damon to another firehouse, but feared that a third transfer in less than a year would look bad on his record. He tried to consult Chief Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), but the character was busy suffering a traumatic loss so he was not available.
The character is eyeing a 51 transfer
Ultimately, Severide and Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) determined that bringing Damon back to 51 would be the best possible option. It would keep Damon's record looking good, and it would get him away from Jenner, who has repeatedly threatened to ruin his career. Jenner even went to Molly's and confronted Damon in front of his 51 friends.
We had a feeling Chicago Fire was angling for a Damon return when the character made a cameo, and we're onboard. It always felt like the show gave the character short shrift by writing him off so quickly. It will be nice to see him reconnect with the likes of Severide and Kidd, especially as they take the big step of becoming parents. The more family the better, right?
Plus, Damon's presence would help pick up the slack while Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) is away.