Every year, the Chicago Fire writers manage to convince the viewers to come back for more due to its action-packed sequences and engaging characters. The fans also love watching the crossover episodes as it gave them the chance to learn about the other Chicago shows like PD.
However, if fans had to pick their all-time favorite character, the majority of people would end up saying Leslie Shay. Although Lauren German was on the show for two seasons, she definitely made her presence known as her absence is still felt seven years on.
Her Friendship With Gabby and Severide
One thing that fans loved about Shay’s Chicago Fire arc was her friendships with characters Gabby and Severide. When it came to these two, Shay was an excellent friend. She was a great confidant of Gabby’s, always listening to her problems and encouraging her to chase her ambitions.
Shay was also the ultimate best friend for Severide, who helped him recover from his neck injury and offered him moral support in the darkest of times. Fans also loved the way how Shay was the only one who would give them a reality check when they were being too obnoxious. She was the only one who managed to ground them when they got too much.
Her Friendship With The Other Firefighters
It wasn’t just Shay’s friendship with Gabby and Severide that was memorable. Shay had a strong bond with all the other firefighters too. She helped Matthew Casey buy an engagement for Gabby and prepare a proposal, was like a surrogate daughter to Herrmann and had a sibling-like relationship with Otis.
Not to forget the quasi-friendship she struck up with Clarke and Lafferty in season 2. Shay’s humor and compassionate nature helped her cemented hundreds of friendships.
Her Selfless Heart
Out of all the characters on Chicago Fire, Shay has proven to be the most selfless and compassionate person. When Severide was suffering from his injury, she risked her job to get him painkillers. When one of her patients left her all of his assets, Shay initially refused them and wanted to give it back to the man’s family.
Moreover, Shay single-handedly ended up saving Molly’s when she decided to become a silent partner and save the bar from closing down. Not to forget how she fought hard to repay Otis and Kelly Severide after their apartment was robbed. Shay never set out to hurt or offend anybody.
A Great Paramedic
Another aspect of Shay’s arc that fans admired most was the passion she had for her job. Out of all the paramedics that have been at Firehouse 51, Shay is the most underrated. She shows kindness and compassion to all her patients, manages to stay calm under pressure, and is willing to do whatever it takes to save a life.
Even when she was severely injured in “A Dark Day,” Shay continued to put the health of others ahead of her own by continuing to work. She and Sylvie would have made an excellent partnership…
An Aspiring Role Model
A lot of fans also believed that Shay was an excellent role model and a strong LGBTIQ+ icon. With Shay being the only openly-gay character on the show at the time, the LGBTQI+ community were glad to see that the network was trying to be inclusive. Not only was it refreshing to see the protagonist being comfortable with their identity but it was also great that the writers didn’t solely use her sexuality as a plot device.
Furthermore, Shay easily became a role model to all due to her morality. Whether she is placed in an awkward position or she witnessed someone being wronged, Shay would always do what she thought was right. It’s one of the main reasons why the characters all went to her for advice.
Supportive
Another quality of Shay personality the fans loved was how supportive and loyal she was. She would often be Dawson’s number one fan, supporting her career goals and giving relationship advice. Whether they were in a good or bad place, Shay pledged to Severide that she would always be there for him.
Even after Devon stole from her, Shay was kind enough to let her stay at her and Severide’s apartment until she got back on her feet again. Shay is the type of friend someone would love to have in their corner.
Her Humor
Out of all the characters on the show, Shay provided the best comic relief. As many fans know, the series has engaged in some dark themes and illustrated some graphic accidents. There is a lot of death, which only brings a morose and melancholic feel to the episodes. This was why Shay was an integral part of the show…
She was witty, sharp, and very sarcastic. Shay managed to bring a smile to the faces of fans because she could always put a positive spin on a situation. Her Fire one-liners were also iconic and memorable. If fans want a laugh, they should rewatch the first two seasons.
Lauren German’s Talent
Obviously, one person who deserves all the credit for the legacy Shay left behind is Lauren German. Looking back in hindsight, no one could have played Shay better than German. Not only did she have great chemistry with all the cast but she really brought her character to life.
For instance, while Shay was often seen to provide comic relief for the show, season 2 allowed fans to see a more emotional side to her. Throughout the whole “Darryl” arc, German succeeded in garnering the viewers’ sympathies as Shay’s downward spiral broke the fans’ hearts. The fact that she can elicit a range of emotions from the fans proves what a talented actress she is…
Never Holds Grudges
Another reason why Shay has earned a large fanbase over the years is due to the fact that she never holds grudges against people. When Severide was essentially using her to fuel his painkiller addiction, Shay didn’t hold it against him. In fact, she wanted him to go get professional help.
When Gabby Dawson pulled rank and blamed her for Darryl’s suicide, one would think that would have ended a friendship. However, Shay managed to forgive her and repair their bond. Despite robbing her, Shay even forgave Devon and helped her get back on her feet. Fans loved the fact that she saw the good in people and gave them a second chance.
Humble
One of the most admirable traits of Shay’s personality had to be her humbleness. On many occasions, the viewers have seen many patients express their gratitude to Shay for saving their life and every time say would just brush it off. She never basked in the glory or compliments because that wasn’t why she did the job.
She did it because she was a selfless person. She never boasted about her saves, never boasted about the calls or demand rewards. In her spare time, Shay would go check up on patients and visit them on occasion. The fact that she didn’t acknowledge her bravery or altruism proves she was a humble person.
