Chicago Fire Star Teases How Cruz Responds To Junior’s Release & Confrontation: “He Will Go To Any Lengths”

Following season 13’s midseason finale, Chicago Fire has returned with new episodes, and star Joe Miñoso breaks down Cruz’s ongoing conflict with Junior. As some recall, episode 8, “Quicksand,” ended with Junior confronting the firefighter in a church. Junior is the cousin of Flaco, a character who died in season 1. He was the leader of the gang that Cruz’s younger brother, Leon, got mixed up in, and to help Leon, Cruz left Flaco to die in a fire. While he has gone 12 seasons without facing any repercussions, Cruz’s past comes back to haunt him in Chicago Fire‘s upcoming episodes.

When speaking with ScreenRant ahead of Chicago Fire season 13’s winter 2025 return, Joe Miñoso previewed what comes next for his character after Junior’s release from prison. The actor confirmed that Cruz doesn’t exactly deal with his new dilemma very well, and there will be repercussions for him. Additionally, Miñoso revealed that the Cruz and Junior storyline isn’t over by the end of episode 9. Check out Miñoso’s full quote below:

[He’ll handle it] Poorly. He’s going to make some decisions that really put him in some hot water, and then the ramifications of that are going to really show up in Episode 10. Cruz is, and always will be, concerned about protecting his family first and foremost, and he will go to any lengths to do that. And so unfortunately he’s going to get tangled up in a big old mess, but let’s hope he comes out the other side of it. I will say it will not be unscathed.

You’ll see this storyline kind of find its conclusion before the crossover, but yes, it will go on for a bit.

What Miñoso’s Statement Means For Cruz’s Chicago Fire Season 13 Story

Cruz’s Drama With Junior Didn’t End During The Midseason Premiere

Miñoso’s teases about Cruz in the back half of Chicago Fire season 13 indicate that much is in store for the character. He had a relatively slow start to the season, so Cruz’s new story having significance makes sense. Since Cruz handles the Junior problem “poorly,” the conflict will seemingly stretch out and take place over the course of multiple episodes.

Miñoso revealed that Cruz’s arc with Junior will end before the highly-anticipated One Chicago crossover event, which is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29. If Chicago Fire season 13 doesn’t take any breaks before then, Cruz will have three episodes to rid himself of Junior. However, as Miñoso indicated, Cruz’s issues will become more serious as time goes on.

Our Take On Cruz’s Approach To Dealing With Junior

Cruz’s Situation Will Get Much Worse Before It Gets Better

Cruz hasn’t been in the spotlight as much as other Chicago Fire characters in season 13. Now, he will get his time to shine, and while Cruz’s inability to promptly take care of his newfound problem might be frustrating for some, it gives the story space to breathe. Instead of rushing to conclude this plotline and move on to the next thing, the writers are taking their time with it. Hard times await Cruz, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Based on Miñoso’s comments, Junior’s reappearance in Chicago Fire season 13 episode 8 brings Cruz to the brink of desperation, adding more layers to his character. He has never been perfect, as seen in the first season when he let Flaco die. However, it’s easy to write Cruz off as the lovable, kindhearted figure of Firehouse 51. In Chicago Fire season 13, though, Cruz will remind the audience of his complexity.