The 300th episode of Chicago Fire marks the end of an era as the show bids farewell to an actor who has been part of the show from the very first episode.
After 15 seasons playing Joe Cruz, actor Joe Minoso will make his final appearance in the role on November 5 during the show’s 300th episode. The episode will put Cruz center stage as it crafts a sendoff fitting for a character who has been with the show since its pilot episode, with the writers and cast promising an emotional and wonderful sendoff for the character.
Like many fans, I’ve been so focused on the departure of Minoso that I’ve failed to really understand the full gravity of the situation and what his exit means for the show. In looking at the promo materials for the 300th episode and Minoso’s sendoff, it finally hit me that it’s not just Cruz we’re saying goodbye to in the episode.
While Minoso’s exit is by far the most notable departure coming via the 300th episode, his exit will also be bringing the end of two long-running recurring characters’ times on the show as well. You see, with Cruz being written out, that means we will no longer be getting updates about his family, which means that the 300th episode is also going to be the final episode for Kristen Lee Gutoskie and Carlos S. Sanchez as well.
Gutoskie made her debut on the show back in season 7 as Chloe Allen, a woman who was saved during a call that Firehouse 51 responded to. After the incident, Chloe and Cruz began dating and would later marry late in season 8. During her time on the show, Gutoskie appeared in nearly two dozen episodes, appearing every season thereafter, with the sole exception of season 13.
Two seasons after Chloe and Cruz got married, the couple began building a family of their own by taking in Javi. a young orphan who Cruz saved from a burning building. The pair would formally adopt Javi in season 11, and Sanchez has appeared in every season since his debut in season 10.
Chloe and Javi were two incredible recurring characters, and we loved getting the chance to see how they came into Cruz’s life and all came together as a family. We loved whenever the writers found a way to bring the pair back for guest appearances throughout the years, and it’s hard knowing that their last appearances on Chicago Fire will be coming in the 300th episode as well.
The Cruz family has meant so much to so many fans over the years, as it has been a beautiful representation of an adoptive family. The show has told so many incredible storylines through Cruz, Chloe, and Javi, exploring the impact adoption can have on everyone involved. From the perspective of parents navigating the joys and challenges of raising an adopted child to a child growing up with questions about their identity and a desire to learn more about their roots, Chicago Fire has done a wonderful job of showing that adoption is a journey filled with love, complicated emotions, and moments of growth for the entire family.
We’re grateful that the show is going to give us the chance to see Gutoskie and Sanchez one last time on the show as part of Minoso’s final episode and hope that we might be lucky enough to see them back on Chicago Fire sometime down the road!
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