After being sidelined the last two episodes, Severide returned in Chicago Fire season 14, episode 19, “Exit Point,” and quickly realizes that his turn away from Firehouse 51 did little to help defuse the Hopkins situation. Heading into the episode, we knew that Hopkins would finally pull the trigger on reporting Severide to Internal Affairs, the question was how early Severide would find out about this in the episode.
As the episode opens, Severide surprises Kidd, returning early from training. Their reunion is cut short, though, as he gets a call asking him to come down to headquarters right away.
He heads down and is greeted by Chief Silva with Internal Affairs. Severide is understandably surprised as he’s informed he’s under investigation for dereliction of duty, noting that Severide broke protocol by not notifying HQ when he assisted with the OFI investigations. IA notes that he’s not at liberty to disclose who filed the report and makes it clear that pending their finding, disciplinary actions could include suspension or termination. Not only is Severide's job on the line, but his promotion to captain is on hold for now as the investigation is conducted.
Back at 51, Hopkins is preparing for the day and asks Lucy to gather a number of resumes for him as he’s looking for someone to take over as lieutenant on Squad 3. As she realizes what this means, Severide comes in and confronts Hopkins about his report. Hopkins notes that his past chiefs might have turned a cheek, but he will not do the same. He notes that if a chief at Pascal’s level can be let go for breaking the rules, the same can apply to Severide. In his words, Hopkins makes it clear Severide should have transferred to OFI and makes it clear no one is above the CFD, not even a Severide.
Following the conversation, Severide tells Kidd about the situation, and Kidd notes it makes no sense as Hopkins was praising them both and praising 51. Severide notes this is about Benny suspending him back in the day. Severide notes that he’s been on him from Day 1. While he was at training, Severed tried to get info on why Hopkins was suspended by Benny, but there wasn’t much of a paper trail.
Severide notes this feels like retaliation, and he believes the key is figuring out what happened back in the day between Hopkins and Benny. If he can figure that out, he can use it to clear his name in proving to IA that this was a baseless accusation based on a feud from Hopkins' past. Kidd suggests they take a beat, and then they do this together so that he can help lead this, and Severide agrees.
Holt returns to work alongside 51 for the shift
With Vasquez out for the shift, Jamie Holt is brought in to fill in for the shift. Cruz bumps into Holt in the locker room as he arrives for his shift, and Cruz asks if he’s still interested in Squad. Holt confirms he very much is as he asks how Kidd has been doing, and Cruz admits Girls on Fire is back up and running again, but it takes time to get through the loss they experience with Macy's death.
51 responds to an abandoned store where people have been squatting. Holt freezes up as he spots a man in the fire sitting seemingly in shock; they pull him out and get him to the ambulance, but it’s too late. Hopkins pulls everyone out of the fire as a vehicle races up. It’s the owner of the building as Hopkins informs him that people were living inside and one has died.
Kidd checks in on Holt, noticing he’s shaken, and assures him he doesn’t have to put up a brave face. He assures her he’s good and just has to shake things off. After stepping away from the conversation, Kidd can tell something is up, and Severide notes he smelled gasoline where they found the victim. He can’t reach out to OFI, but he can flag it with Hopkins and let him make the call.
Back at the firehouse, Lucy comes to see Kidd and informs her she knows about the review and that it’s not fair. She informs Kidd that Hopkins had her deliver the report to HQ when Severide was away and she didn’t want to. Kidd assures her she was doing her job, and Lucy feels guilty for playing a role, but Kidd notes this isn’t on her. Kidd thanks Lucy as she encourages her not to beat herself up about this.
Cruz goes to see Holt to ask how he’s doing. Holt admits he felt for the guy, but they roll with the punches, as that’s part of the job. Meanwhile, Kidd informs Severide of her plan to ask to pull files from that era in hopes of getting information about the Benny and Hopkins situation.
Kidd and Severide's conversation is interrupted as Hopkins arrives with Hargraves from OFI after Hopkins followed up on Severide’s note. OFI has secured approval for Severide’s help with the investigation as he makes it clear this was not his call and that Cruz will be acting lieutenant while he’s away. After Severide steps away, Hopkins approaches Kidd and seems to address the elephant in the room. As she remarks that 51 is a special place and that's about the people here, Hopkins notes that 51 isn’t the only great firehouse, and if it takes breaking it up, it’s a price he’s willing to pay.
Ironically, when Lucy brings Hopkins the resumes he asked for her, she thanks him for bringing her on as her assistant and notes that she loves it here, as it’s a special place and a special group of people before leaving.
Kidd calls HQ and fast-tracks the files being sent over. Cruz comes to see Kidd to ask if he can borrow Holt for some drills, and she sees through his ploy, noting she noticed how he locked up on the call as well. Cruz admits he’s traveling a rough road, and is hoping to help him get through things. Unfortunately, the drills don’t go well as Holt storms off and makes it clear he's not Cruz’s project.
Severide and Hargraves go to the scene of the fire to look into the origin of the fire as Severide uncovers what appears to be gasoline and a heavy pour pattern. This wasn’t someone making dinner; this seems to be a clear case of arson. As they’re investigating the scene, they see a man running out and give chase. They come to learn that the owner of the building has issued a $100k reward for whoever can find the person responsible for starting the fire, and the man broke into the building in hopes of bringing a lead that would be worth the money.
Back at the firehouse, Lucy gets a call from personnel, returning Kidd’s call and lets Lucy know Kidd does not have authority for the files she requested and will need to have her superior sign off. Lucy agrees to pass along the message, but it seems she gets an idea of her own as she heads out shortly after the call.
At the firehouse, Severide is working through findings as Hopkins asks how the case is coming along. Severide is trying to find an identifier to lead them to the person who started the fire. Hopkins notes he can see his passion, but solving this case won’t get him any leniency with the IA case as a woman comes in claiming to have info on who started the fire.
Severide gets a new job offer
Severide and Hargraves go to see a man in rehab who was placed at the scene. The man makes it clear he wasn’t there and can’t come and go at the rehab facility. As Severide and Hargraves leave, they admit it feels like they’re being sent on a wild goose chase, which Severide suggests is perhaps the whole point.
Severide and Hargraves bring in the building's owner and point out that someone lit a mattress, and he curses them off, asking for evidence before he hands over the reward money. That's when Severide and Hargraves note that the property was worth more money if the building went up in flames. The man quickly lawyers up as Hargraves takes him away to a holding cell. After he’s left, Severide thanks the woman from the fire for her help, and she admits that the guy who died was a friend who always was looking out for others; the reward money would have been nice, but she’s glad to have helped get justice.
Later, Hargraves tells Severide there might be a way she can help with the charges. She’s only the intern head of OFI and has no plans on staying in the job, but if she recommends Severide as her replacement, OFI can shield him, as there is no way the CFD would drag him through the mud with his after he's named the new acting commander of OFI. Severide notes it feels like running, but she points out it wouldn’t be running; it would look like a promotion.
Elsewhere as the episode comes to a close...
Kidd arrives home and finds an envelope outside her door. She enters the apartment and sits down to review the contents inside, finding the report Benny filed against Hopkins inside. We also get a glimpse of Hopkins at his home, sitting at his table looking over resumes as his daughter comes home. She asks about the Halloween village fire and whether her dad is going to catch who did this, as he admits his guy (Severide) already caught the arsonist, to which she replies that his guys must be good, as Hopkins admits that he is.
Meanwhile, Cruz goes to meet with Holt after the shift. Turns out Holt hasn’t been back to 68 since the airfield call, and he admits he’s trying to get right before turning to the firehouse. Cruz tells Holt about losing Otis in the line of duty and how shook he was after losing his friend. He reminds Holt he’s not alone in this, as his colleagues at 68 are carrying this weight too and waiting for him to come back home.
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