If you’re tuning into Chicago Fire season 13, episode 12, you’re likely to notice a key member of the cast is missing in action in what is becoming a regular trend for NBC’s long-running firefighter drama. It’s become a running theme this season for various members of the cast to miss an episode here and there with their exits often quickly explained via a one-off conversation.
The latest member of the cast to miss an episode is Christian Stolte, whose character does not appear in “Relief Cut,” marking the second episode this season Mouch has missed an episode.
As we learn early in the episode, Mouch is taking some time off in order to stay at home and help take care of Trudy following her near-death experience in the One Chicago crossover event. This update comes quickly via a conversation between Herrmann and Chief Pascal as we learn that Mouch has taken a few shifts off in order to be there or Trudy who is recovering nicely and should be back to work in no time as should Mouch.
Given how much Trudy and Mouch both went through, it’s not surprising that Mouch would take some time off to be by her side. In the crossover, Mouch nearly lost Trudy and this was after coming to the realization he had completely forgotten her birthday and blew off a dinner he assumed was to celebrate him instead. Mouch was by Trudy’s side in the hospital as she underwent live-saving treatment and it’s of no shock that he’d want to remain by her side to assist in her recovery.
It also made for a perfect way for the writers to sideline Mouch for the week, but fans can rest at ease knowing he’ll be back before fans know it. This is not going to be an extended hiatus but rather is simply a part of the budgeting of things as series regulars no longer appear in every episode of the show in most instances.
This is why we often see the occasional member of the cast missing an episode which often has led the creative team to come up with ways to explain their absences such as attending classes, taking time off, going out of town, etc. While it might be frustrating for characters not to appear in every episode, we do have to give the writers credit for finding unique ways to write characters out as needed.
The good news is mose of these writing choices only result in characters missing one otw two episodes, and Mouch should be back in episode 13 which is coming our way on Feb. 12!