2024 was a roller coaster of a year for the One Chicago franchise that included some cast exits, cast introductions, weddings, and plenty of shockers. And it was still a year that had many memorable and surprising moments.
That being said, between all three shows in the franchise, 2024 brought some surprisingly great moments that were also arguably some of the best. Whether heartwarming or heart-pounding, the franchise kept fans on the edge of their seats, and I can only imagine that 2025 will do the same thing.
Brettsey Wedding
Wedding bells rang for Ambulance 61 paramedic in charge Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) and former Truck 81 captain Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) during Season 12. While Spencer departed the drama at the beginning of Season 10, he still occasionally returned, including in the Season 11 finale, “Red Waterfall,” which ended on Casey proposing to Brett after having previously broken things off due to the distance.
By the time Season 13 rolled around, months had flown by both on-screen and off, and it was revealed that Brett had indeed said “Yes.” In the episode, “Port in the Storm,” their wedding was not at Shedd Aquarium as Brett initially thought and was just in a normal shop aquarium, but it was still as magical as ever. Brettsey seems to be forever as they drove off together for Oregon, marking Killmer’s official exit.
Boden’s goodbye
The first half of 2024 was a brutal one for Chicago Fire fans, as Season 12 ended with yet another rough departure. Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) had been running 51 since the beginning of the series, but since he was set to run Chicago FD as First Deputy Fire Commissioner, he was no longer able to work from the beloved firehouse.
Before his final shift came to an end in the episode appropriately titled “Never Say Goodbye,” the entire firehouse came together to give their chief a much-deserved goodbye and letting him know just how much he means to everyone. It was an emotional moment, especially since he is one of few original cast members still on Chicago Fire. As of now, he has yet to make a return, but as Deputy Fire Commissioner, it’s only just a matter of time.
Sharon stabbing
Even though it was a very recent moment, it was still a very memorable one and terrifying. The first half of Season 10 saw Gaffney Chicago Medical Center’s director Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) with a stalker, following her at the hospital and at home. It came to a head in the midseason finale, “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” when Sharon came face to face with her stalker in her office. It was explained that the stalker’s wife was a victim of the ferry crash and needed blood in order to survive, but it went to the guy who caused the crash, with Sharon trying to explain that they had to weigh the decision very carefully.
After Sharon was stabbed and she was trapped in her office for quite some time, she was able to make an escape by hitting her stalker in the head with a bottle of whiskey, but the moment that was truly insane was the final seconds of the episode where Sharon made it out to the elevator and Dr. Archer seeing her, but the elevator doors closed just as Sharon’s stalker came up behind her. Fans will be finding out in the midseason premiere what will happen, and if the show will kill off Sharon.
Severide's long lost brother
This was perhaps the most shocking moment of 2024, as it was revealed that 51’s newest member, Jack Damon (Michael Bradway), was another one of Benny Severide’s kids in the Chicago Fire episode “Never Say Goodbye.” Damon was a pretty enthusiastic addition to 51, and throughout Season 12, it was clear that he was seemingly hiding something. He was pretty fond of Kelly (Taylor Kinney) and knew a lot about him, and eventually, in the Season 12 finale, he admitted that he was Benny’s kid, marking the second time that Kelly was surprised with a long-lost half-sibling, courtesy of Benny.
While Damon didn’t last too long in Season 13 since things were getting a bit complicated at 51 with him around, that doesn’t take away from the surprising revelation and made for the biggest cliffhanger of Season 12. Plus, it wouldn't be surprising if he randomly came back at some point.
Burgess makes detective
Chicago P.D. saw a longtime first that has been in the making since the first season. After starting out as a patrol officer, Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) finally made detective. Fans had seen her taking an exam and even doing a ride along to see how she does as detective, but when she finally passed in “Pawns” and managed to join Intelligence right away as a detective, that’s when it was real.
When the series returns in 2025, fans will certainly be seeing Burgess as a detective more and taking the lead on cases. Of course, it probably won’t be so easy, but so far, she’s been doing just fine. Whether or not Ruzek or Atwater will follow in her footsteps is unknown, but it was definitely a long time coming for at least one of them to make detective, and I couldn’t be more happy that it was Burgess.