Chicago Fire returned from its winter hiatus on Jan. 8 with an episode that was full of unexpected surprises. Before we get into those surprises, this is a good time to note that there are spoilers ahead from Chicago Fire season 13 episode 9, “A Favor,” so if you haven’t watched the episode proceed with caution as we’re going to get into some spoilers.
In the first episode of the new year, the Chicago Fire writers sprung a number of surprises on us including news at the top of the episode that Herrmann and Mouch passed their exams paving the way for the pair to take on larger roles within the CFD. While the episode was without Kidd, who was explained to be out of town working on a Girls on Fire program in Baltimore, it did feature the surprise return of a character who we thought we’d seen the last of on the show: Jack Damon!
That’s right, the winter premiere featured the unexpected return of Michael Bradway, who hasn’t been seen on the show since his character’s departure from 51 back in the fourth episode of the season.
After his connection to Severide came to light, things quickly took an unexpected turn at the firehouse as his entire persona shifted and tensions rose between Damon, Kidd and Severide. This led to Damon being put back into the floater pool by Kidd and he ultimately landed at another firehouse where he was thriving in being able to make a name for himself without the pressure of living up to the Severide name.
It seemed that the episode was used as a sendoff for the character as he and Severide came to positive terms with each other and we learned he was doing well at the new firehouse. Following their conversation at the episode’s end, Bradway was not seen in the remaining episodes leading up to the winter break.
Perhaps that’s why we were so thrilled to see Damon make a return in the winter premiere in the most unexpected of ways: as a student in the class Severide has been tapped to teach at the Fire Academy!
While Severide was getting ready for class at the academy, a class he wasn’t intended to teach but was called upon to run as a replacement for its original instructor, he was surprised to see his half-brother walk into the room as a student. Damon quickly assured Severide that he was not taking the class just to try to live up to the Severidce family legacy, but rather he’s been taking as many classes as possible in order to learn more and become the best firefighter he can be.
The two shared a fun sibling moment ragging on each other, before then catching up at Molly’s where they enjoyed a drink and caught up at Herrmann and Mouch’s celebration.
It’s unclear whether we’re going to get to see more of Damon in the episodes ahead, but we have to admit the odds of getting to see more of Bradway are definitely looking promising! After all, now that Severide is leading the course, we imagine there is a chance for the show to include some more scenes between the two brothers. And even if this by chance was a one-off guest appearance, we love that the show found a way to bring Bradway back into the mix and leave the door open for him to return again!
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.