Chicago Fire is going to contend with a lot over the new few episodes. The show is going to navigate the emotional fallout of a traumatic death, and welcome back one of its most beloved characters for a tense investigation into a close call on the job.
There's not going to be a shortage of drama. There will, however, be a shortage of Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) screen time. The character is nowhere to be found in "Too Late," nor will he be present in the next few episodes that follow. Why? What gives? Well, the good news is that Carver is not fired.
Sam Carver checked into a rehab program
The bad news is that Carver's absence is self-inflicted. The firefighter chose to walk away from 51 in the episode "Bar Time." He closed out the episode by confronting Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and telling her that he needed some time away. He admitted that he was struggling with his alcoholism and realized he could only stay sober on the job. He decided to enter rehab.
It's why he'd been taking overnight shifts at other firehouses when he wasn't working 51. It was an effective fix, for a little bit, but Carver's argument with Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) made him realize that he would need to make a change. It was a tough scene to get through, especially given the sweet note Carver left behind for Violet.
There's no ETA on Carver's return
There's an underlying concern that Carver is done for good. We don't think that is the case. But he is coming back. Violet alludes to the character's return during "Too Late." She admits that she is missing her former fling more than she expected to. "I really miss Carver," she told Ritter (Daniel Kyri). "Like, more than I thought I could." Violet is currently in a relationship, but Ritter and Lyla Novak (Joceyln Hudon) are able to clock the fact that she still isn't over her troubled ex.
Carver's replacement is a floater named Chippy. He's a nice enough guy, but he's not Carver, and his presence only serves as a reminder of how much his presence is valued in the firehouse. Chippy will be the guy until Carver returns, which, as Kidd points out during the episode, is not going to be for a little bit. "I doubt we'll hear anything until after he gets out of rehab," she asserted.
It's not the answer we want to hear, per say, but at least there's an understanding that the character will be coming back.