The time has officially come to say goodbye to one of Firehouse 51’s most beloved members. After 15 incredible seasons, Joe Minoso will make his final appearance, at least for now, on Chicago Fire in the show’s next episode, which will not only be a sendoff for his character, Joe Cruz, but also celebrate 300 episodes of the series.
While we’ve known for weeks now that the 300th episode would be the final episode for Minoso, getting the promo for the episode has finally made it real, and the promo alone has hit us with the feels.
“This house, it’s more than that: it’s family,” we hear Cruz say over the opening of the first official promo for Chicago Fire’s 300th episode. It’s a quote we’re almost certain will be spoken by Cruz during his final monologue on the show as he prepares to leave Firehouse 51 behind.
Among the clips this quote plays over is a moment that sees the entire band of Firehouse 51 firefighters and paramedics coming together outside Firehouse 51 to take a group photo. The photo features all of the show’s longtime core members, including Novak, Violet, Herrmann, Tony, Kidd, Vasquez, Cruz, Capp, Severide, Ballard, and Mouch, with everyone from the firehouse donning their dress blues.
Given that the characters are all wearing their dress blues, it seems this group photo will be snapped to commemorate some sort of formal event such as a medal or recognition ceremony hosted at the firehouse. When set photos first leaked of the cast donning their dress blues around the firehouse set, we were afraid it was going to be for a funeral, but that does not appear to be the case, as this seems to be a celebratory moment shared by the group.
Of course, if the clip of the group in their dress blues for what might be the final time this particular group is all together on screen wasn’t enough to make us emotional, the moment also confirms that Cruz regains his ability to walk. Rather than being seen in a wheelchair as he was in episode 3, Cruz is standing alongside his friends and using Otis’s cane to steady himself. We know Herrmann had gifted Cruz the cane as a nudge to get him to push through, but seeing him using it and knowing that a piece of Otis is there with him and the full Firehouse 51 team is a really special and subtle nod to Cruz’s late friend.
While the promo definitely strikes an emotional chord, there are some intense action shots that prove the creative team is going big with the stunt work for the 300th episode, which is nice to see. One of the fans' favorite things about Chicago Fire has always been the show’s rescue sequences, and it appears we’re in store for a daring feat from one member of the 51 team in the episode!
Those scenes make it clear the show is going to look to balance the more emotional moments with moments of levity, which seems fitting, as that is the formula that has helped Chicago Fire make it this far. The show has always found a way to balance comedy with drama, bringing fans light moments but also moments that pull at our heartstrings. It’s only right that the 300th episode do the same, and we’re certainly eager to see what the writers have crafted for Minoso’s farewell.
Don’t miss the Chicago Fire 300th episode when it airs on Wednesday, November 4, at 9/8c on NBC!
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