Heading into Chicago Fire’s 300th episode, the biggest question on every fan’s mind was how the show would bring Joe Minoso’s time on the show to an end. It was clear the show had been laying the groundwork for him to step away from Firehouse 51, but the question was would this be a decision of Cruz's own making or one that would be taken out of his hands.
As the 300th episode opens, Severide is looking through the old case files from the arson case he was brought on to help solve in the previous episode. Clearly Van Meter’s words about the accomplice looking to find a worthy adversary stuck with Severide, and he’s not letting this case go cold. From there, we jump to Cruz, who is making some major progress in his recovery. He’s finally out of the wheelchair and able to walk again with help from a cane, coming a long way from when we saw him last in episode 3 when he was still confined to a wheelchair.
Cutting to Firehouse 51, Kidd is putting the remaining probies through a drill at the firehouse and seems to be working as a more cohesive unit following McCaffrey’s dismissal. When Burke inquires about the record time for the drill, she reminds the group that the job is not about who finishes first; it’s about making sure everyone makes it out.
In the ambo, Violet and Novak work to get things restocked as we learn that Jacob finally asked Violet out to dinner… only for her to decline his offer and instead tell him he could thank her for the tip about the psych ward story by buying her a drink at Molly’s. When Novak points out how he keeps finding ways to see her, Violet brushes it off as she points out how it’s always about a story.
She then turns the conversation around on Novak, asking her if she’s spoken with Vasquez. While they finally cleared the air, she’s okay letting it stay that way. Their conversation is interrupted when Violet gets a call from her mother, Margaret, which she ignores as she explains to Novak that they’re not very close and we learn she lives in Boston.
Out in the common room, we learn that it’s picture day at 51 as the CFD wants new firehouse photos every two years… news that Herrmann overlooked despite the multiple emails sent out about it.
The action moves to the streets as our first call of the episode comes through, and 51 responds to a police standoff that takes an unexpected turn when the man emerges from the building and sets himself on fire. Severide, Kidd, and Mouch quickly race to put the flames out as they hand him off to Novak and Violet before heading in to search the home for the man’s two kids.
As Severide leads the team inside the fire, Chief Tomlin arrives at the scene, and it’s clear this might not be a friendly visit. Up on the roof, Kidd and Vasquez find the man’s family and pull them out to safety. Once they get them down, Kidd sends the kids off with Burke to get checked out, and it does not go unnoticed how he takes command and distracts the two kids from seeing their father in his current condition.
Vasquez works to create a vent on the roof, but Severide calls for an evacuation as the conditions are worsening. With no other options, Vasquez dives off the roof, jumps onto the ladder, and makes it to safety, landing on the roof of the building next door. Down on the scene, Violet and Novak call the time of death on the man before returning to the firehouse.
Chief Tomlin makes it clear that Severide needs to replace Cruz
When they arrive, Cruz is at the firehouse waiting for them to share the latest on his health. Dr. Archer has recommended a specialized recovery center that can help first responders get back on the job as Severide pulls him aside to sign some things. As they enter Severide’s office, Severide is surprised to find Chief Tomlin waiting for him to discuss the call this morning.
Chief Tomlin makes it clear that while Joe Cruz is a hero plain and simple, but the vacancy in Squad 3 needs to be resolved. Severide has a week to recommend a suitable replacement. If he doesn’t give HQ a name by then, they’ll pick Cruz’s replacement for Severide.
Following the conversation, Severide brings Mouch up to speed and inquires about union protections, but it’s more of a gray area than you’d think. As Mouch explains, HQ can replace Cruz if they’re convinced he’ll never return to suppression or if Cruz voluntarily accepts reassignment. Mouch suggests that perhaps Tomlin wants to move one of his guys into that slot, as Squad positions don’t come around often, and Severide admits it feels like Tomlin is gunning for him as Mouch offers to make some calls to see if he can find anything out.
Mouch ends up paying Chief Tomlin a visit to introduce himself and drop off a bottle of alcohol as a gift, but Chief Tomlin sees through the ruse immediately. Mouch reveals that he spoke with a union counsel about Cruz, and they informed him of a clause that Tomlin is already familiar with, having done his own research.
Mouch suggests that there has to be a way for them to make this work, which surprises Tomlin as he admits he didn’t think Severide would play ball. Mouch points out that’s why he’s here as he asks Tomlin to give Cruz 90 days before his occupational health evaluation and in exchange Severide will personally come in off shift to train all five of Tomlin’s truck companies for technical rescue certification. Tomlin doesn’t care about all of that, but he does note there is something Severide can do, and we have a feeling we know where this will lead.
Elsewhere, Violet and Jacob enjoy their drinks at Molly’s as they talk about Violet’s old archnemesis who she’s shocked to learn has ended up behind bars for investment fraud. After Violet remarks about him making some new friends at Stamford, Jacob asks why Violet didn’t go after getting in but she brushes the question off. He admits that he’d be happy to forget most people from high school, but not everyone.
Chloe goes into labor and gives birth to the twins
At the Cruz house, Cruz is helping Otis run through some flashcards as Chloe admits to needing help. She knows how hard he’s been working on his rehab, but when the twins arrive and he returns to work, she can’t do this alone. Their conversation is cut short as Chloe’s water breaks and they head out to the hospital, where Chloe gives birth to the twins, two healthy baby girls: Sophia and Elena. As Javi and Otis take in the moment, it becomes clear by the look on Cruz’s face that he realizes Chloe was right about them needing help.
Back at the firehouse, Cruz’s 51 family gush about the twins as they take in the photos Cruz sent them, but Kidd notices something seems off with Hollis. She catches up with him and asks how he’s feeling and extends an olive branch for him to talk through anything on his mind, but he clams up and simply thanks her for the offer as he excuses himself.
We move to Severide’s office, where Mouch informs him that he spoke with Chief Tomlin, who is willing to give Cruz 90 more days. In exchange, Chief Tomlin wants Severide to rescind his letter to the DC and have McCaffrey reinstated. Needless to say, Severide is not happy about Tomlin’s willingness to use Cruz as a bargaining chip and makes it clear he won’t rescind the letter and put McCaffrey back in the field, as Mouch suggests that maybe there is a way he won’t have to.
Burke offers up his support after Hollis is shaken by a call
Burke finds Hollis in the bathroom, and he admits he hasn’t been sleeping well after the call, as that guy burning alive really shook him up. Burke confesses that while it’s what they signed up for, that doesn’t mean they’ll get used to it.
He tells him about a call from his first rotation during which a man was badly injured in a car accident and how now every time he hears the Kendrick Lamar song that was playing on the radio, it takes him right back to that call. For a week, all he could see when he closed his eyes was the man from that call, but then one of the old timers pulled him aside and told him to find a way to get out of his head and offered up a technique that ended up working for him, which Burke shares with Hollis as he leaves.
Out in the common room, Novak reveals that she was able to bribe the photographer into sending the proofs over from the photoshoot so that she can select her photo. It turns out Novak has nothing to worry about, as Herrmann’s advice to just smile did the trick, but their conversation got into his head, and all of his photos turned out poorly. Before he can give it any more thought, they’re called to a river rescue involving a kayaker.
Upon arriving, the firefighters race to pull the man out of the water as Vasquez begins compressions. Violet and Novak take over once they arrive at the scene and are able to get the man breathing again, but the situation hits Hollis hard, which Kidd observes.
Be sure to update this piece for the latest updates from the episode, as we'll be recapping the 300th episode live as it airs on NBC!
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