We're not happy that Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) are leaving. They have become fan favorites and developed strong bonds with virtually every other member of Firehouse 51. Themselves included. And yet, they are being written out of the show before the next season.
It's never a good time to hear news that two of your favorite characters are leaving a show, but the timing of this particular announcement was rough. It coincided with the episode "Post Mortem," in which we were told that another firefighter, Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) was critically injured in a building collapse and may never be able to serve 51 again.
Jack Damon has been cleared for duty
In the span of thirty minutes, Chicago Fire presented the potential exit of three core characters. Two of which, Carver and Damon, had just returned after lengthy season 13 hiatuses. Thankfully, we have confirmation that we are getting one of these three, Damon, back. The firefighter was still laid up in the hospital during the episode "Permanent Damage."
Damon actually opened the episode, as Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) paid him a visit and assured him that he has a good chance of recovering. Damon, understandably, was not sold. He was later paid a visit by Lizzie Novak (Jocelyn Hudon), who Damon has continued to flirt with, despite his efforts to cut things off and focus on his career.
Novak was present when Damon's doctor entered the room, and while she initially tried to remove herself to give the firefighter some privacy, he insisted that she stay. The doctor then told Damon that he has some lung damage, but is expected to make a full recovery, which means he will eventually be fit for duty. It's a wonderful moment of relief, and the fact that Novak was present, at Damon's behest, no less, suggests that there will be a lot more to their relationship down the line.
The character has reignited his romance with Novak
We're relieved that Damon is going to make a full recovery for multiple reasons. One, him and Novak are a good pair, and it would have been a waste to set this dynamic up only to throw it away by having Damon leave (again). Two, the firefighter will be present in his half-brother and sister-in-law's life as they embark on parenthood and adopt a child.
The Severides has never been especially functional, and Damon himself has lamented the fact that he's not been close with the rest of his family, so this is a nice progression for all involved. We wish Ritter and Carver were staying, but we're relieved we don't have to say goodbye to three characters.