Chicago Fire has been confusing fans over the last two weeks. It returned, along with the rest of the One Chicago franchise, on January 8, but some noticed that it did not include a promo for the next episode. Chicago Med and PD did, which led to some confusion as to whether it would be returning for another episode on January 15.
Well, there is no new episode of Chicago Fire tonight. There was actually supposed to be, but NBC is airing Joe Biden's farewell speech at 8 pm ET. The speech will only last 15 minutes, but the fact that it cuts into the One Chicago lineup means that all three episodes are being pushed back to next week, January 22.
Chicago Fire returns Wednesday, January 22
NBC has not provided a reason as to why a Chicago Fire promo didn't air on January 8, since there was meant to be a new episode this week, but it's assumed that this was done out of respect for the wildfires that are currently impacting Los Angeles. CBS even decided to pull its return of Fire Country, for fear it would be triggering to viewers.
We don't have a promo, but we do have information on what will be happening in the upcoming Chicago Fire episode, "Chaos Theory." We have promo photos, as well as a synopsis on what seems to be one of the most important episodes of season 13.
"The team responds to a crisis at a community center," the synopsis reads. "Severide is forced to investigate one of his own squad members; Kidd helps a teacher going through a post-incident spin-out." The squad member being referenced is, of course, Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso). The firefighter ended last week's episode on a very concerning note.
Joe Cruz will be investigated by Severide
He not only participated in an attempted robbery, but he was present for a firefight in which he got shot in the arm. The character was last seen in his car, panicked and crying over what will happen to him next. "Chaos Theory" confirms that Cruz will be investigated by Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), who we know is excellent at his job.
It'll be nice to see Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) return, since she was absent for the winter premiere, but the focus of the January 22 episode will undoubtedly be on Cruz, and whether he'll be able to get out of the situation he's in with his career intact. It doesn't look good.