Van Meter is making a case for Chicago Fire's most hated character

Chicago Fire decided to zig instead of zag during season 12's new episode, "Trapped." Instead of sending Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) to a different firehouse, the show decided to send Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) on an arson investigation case out of the state.

It was Severide's decision, at the end of the day, but we can't help but notice that whenever the character is faced with a tricky decision involving arson investigation, OFI Captain Tom Van Meter (Tim Hopper) is there to push him in a particular direction.

Van Meter encouraged Severide to leave 51 (again)

It was Van Meter who urged Severide to attend the arson investigation program during season 11, which led to him being gone for so long that Severide's wife, Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), had to literally go get him and bring him back to Chicago between seasons.

Severide seemed to be on the mend with regards to his arson investigation habits, but he received a package from Tucson, Arizona regarding an arson case, and like clockwork, Van Meter showed up to encourage his involvement.

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At first, Severide shot down the possibility of going back on the road to work with the ATF, but Van Meter went to work on him, telling him that he would be wasting his talents if he didn't go and help the ATF. He also said that if Severide were to turn down the chance to go now, he may not be asked to go in the future.

Van Meter was criticized by fans on Twitter

Fans were unsurprisingly annoyed with Van Meter as a result, and took to social media to air out their frustrations with the character.

Van Meter seems to have the right intentions with regards to Severide's career and his passions, but he has also indirectly contributed to some very difficult times for Severide and Kidd's marriage.

The duo spent the last six months getting back to a state of normalcy, and how Severide has left the 51 again to pursue a dangerous case.

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It's not yet clear how long Severide will be gone, but given that his best friend Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) is getting married soon, we're hopeful that he will finish up his investigation in Tucson as fast as possible so that he can get back to the Windy City in time.