The first episodes of Chicago Fire Season 12 have been setting up Sylvie Brett’s departure, and Season 12, Episode 5, “On the Hook” provides a nice fake-out. With Kara Killmer’s exit from the NBC series already confirmed, it’s up to the writers to come up with a satisfying explanation for why Brett would leave Firehouse 51. They’ve already established Brett’s engagement to Matthew Casey… but there’s nothing that says Chicago Fire can’t mess around with the fans first!
“On the Hook” also provides some very important backstory for the firehouse’s newest arrival, Derrick Gibson. In the wake of another departure, Gibson is supposed to fill the void, but the character has been pretty stoic since he showed up — making him hard to connect with. Brett’s story spins off into a subplot for Gibson that finally gives him some shading and gives Rome Flynn a chance to show more range. Whether or not it’s successful is up to the audience, but both character and actor get an “A” for effort.
Brett’s Job Is on the Line in Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 5
The Brettsey Wedding Plans Aren’t Working Out, Either
“On the Hook” is a very bad time in the life of Sylvie Brett. The episode opens the day after her bachelorette party, when she’s just finished interviewing for a position at the Portland Fire Department — but when Ambulance 61’s defibrillator malfunctions in the field, that and her whole career is suddenly in jeopardy. The script takes a while to find its balance here, as once Chief Robinson (guest star Laura Allen) threatens Brett with suspension, the episode feels like it becomes more about saving Brett’s job than the basketball player who’s still hospitalized. Obviously the Chicago Fire audience is invested in Brett, but the most serious part of the situation is that there’s a young man named Jared who might die or suffer “permanent neurological damage” for the rest of his life.
However, this kink works itself out largely through the performance of Kara Killmer. Brett audibly worries over the patient, telling her partner Violet Mikami that “I hate to think of him being in this condition,” and Killmer conveys her concern in a later scene when Ambulance 61 is called back to the hospital that they brought the player to. This scenario also has the side effect of showing why it was a mistake for Chicago Fire to kill off Evan Hawkins. Robinson is as standard an antagonist as they come, showing very little empathy until the episode’s conclusion, when it becomes clear that dried-out gel pads caused the defibrillator to malfunction. While much of Hawkins’ screen time was about his relationship with Violet, it was always obvious that he wanted to support the paramedics under his command. Chicago Fire‘s habit of shaking things up is what’s kept the show fresh, but now and again it bites the series when the writers get rid of a character they actually need; Robinson’s scenes affirm that Hawkins was one of those valuable characters.
But because of Killmer’s pending exit, there’s just enough suspense in “On the Hook” that it doesn’t feel like false jeopardy. There’s a chance, however slim, that her story arc ends with her making a mistake and having to start over — which she’s doing anyway because of the wedding. Which, “On the Hook” messes that up too, with Tony not paying attention and setting up the ceremony at a store called “The Aquarium” instead of the Shedd Aquarium. This is one of those moments where in real life, someone should’ve caught it, but on Chicago Fire there’s always a plot twist that keeps the biggest developments from going as planned. It turns out not to be firing Brett — it’s upending Brett and Casey’s wedding instead.
Chicago Fire Reveals Derrick Gibson’s Big Secret
Season 12, Episode 5 Gives Rome Flynn’s Character a Tragic Past
The primary subplot in “On the Hook” is directly connected to Brett’s predicament, as Derrick Gibson is visibly affected by basketball player Jared’s injury, and in Marcus, the young man who collided with Jared when he collapsed. Gibson is his usual taciturn self for most of the hour, even snapping at Sam Carver when Carver tries to start a post-shift conversation with him. Suspicion grows when Carver sees Gibson talking to one of the nurses at the hospital. Eventually, Gibson starts opening up to Carver and the two pay a home visit to Marcus, in which Gibson tries to convince the young man that he’s not responsible for whatever happens to Jared (who is at that point likely to make a full recovery).
This is all coming from somewhere, and it’s unintentionally awkward but also surprising when Gibson blurts out to Carver that “I killed a man.” But at least Chicago Fire audiences now understand where Gibson’s anger and defensiveness come from, making him a little bit more relatable. The scene in which he speaks to Carver over drinks about the context of that quote — one of his boxing opponents, Marty Johnson, died during their fight — is another example of Dick Wolf series incorporating more mental health stories and Rome Flynn’s best work on the show. But is that enough to endear Gibson to fans? A lot of One Chicago characters have tragic backstories, but the “found family” theme is particularly strong on Chicago Fire, so he’s still very much on the outside of that. At least this is a first step forward.
On a related note, Jake Lockett has been turning in reliable performances as Sam Carver since Season 11. Especially since the show has now established him as Violet’s next love interest, will producers promote Lockett to series regular status eventually? There have been other recurring cast members promoted with less to do, and Carver clearly isn’t going anywhere.
Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 5’s Comedy Is Its Weak Spot
Comedic Subplots Don’t Succeed in ‘On the Hook’
Every Chicago Fire episode has a comedic subplot, usually involving the core supporting characters. In “On the Hook,” there are two bits involving Joe Cruz and Christopher Herrmann that end up coming together — but neither generate more than a few chuckles. Herrmann’s plot point is finding a massage chair on the side of the road and trying to find a place for it at Firehouse 51, while Cruz is desperate for a new idea to save the Slamigan business he started a few seasons earlier. Herrmann unapologetically bumps into the squad table while moving his chair and causes coffee to spill all over Cruz’s important business notes.
While these stories do the functional job of providing some levity to contrast against Brett and Gibson’s very serious plots, they’re not as funny as other ideas that the show has come up with in the past. It’s pretty typical that these subplots involve either someone coming up with a wild idea and/or someone else overreacting to something; this episode just brings the two together. Cruz’s issue is even a little cringe-worthy as it’s something a lot of people complain about: companies coming up with a “new version” that isn’t actually new just to sell more product. Cruz is able to save Slamigan by rebranding it and adding some “fire engine red” paint, yet how many viewers would be annoyed if they were in the customer’s shoes? It’s humor that comes from a frustrating place rather than a relatable one.
The funniest part of all this is Daniel Kyri’s comedic timing as Darren Ritter gets roped into helping Herrmann move his chair. Ritter eventually gives up, and that’s hilarious because it is relatable. Everyone has that one friend or coworker who pulls them into something. “On the Hook” throws a curveball at Sylvie Brett fans, and provides some important facts about Derrick Gibson, moving both characters forward even if it isn’t Chicago Fire Season 12’s best episode.
