Chicago Fire Season 13’s Divisive Character Return Proves NBC Botched Severide’s Best Relationship In Years

Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9, “A Favor” brings back a divisive character, proving that NBC made the mistake of ruining Kelly Severide’s best relationship in years. After a lengthy winter break, Wolf Entertainment’s One Chicago is officially back with new episodes for its respective installments. While much of the time in “A Favor” is devoted towards answering lingering questions from earlier in the ongoing season, it also introduces new arcs that could play out for the rest of the year. Simultaneously, however, the Chicago Fire season 13 cast operates business as usual for 2025.

Firehouse 51 starts the new year with double good news: both Christopher Herrmann and Mouch McHolland passed their exams. This allows them to move the Chicago Fire Department ladder, with the latter taking over Truck 81 temporarily while Stella Kidd is away. Elsewhere, Joe Cruz’s past continues to catch up with him, and it ends badly. His fate remains up in the air after his plan goes wrong. Among all the storylines in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9, however, Severide’s new job as a substitute teacher at OFI is the most intriguing, especially since it brings back Jack Damon.

Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 9 Brings Back Jack Damon

Severide & Damon Are Reunited

For context, Damon was revealed to be Benny Severide’s secret son after his mysterious introduction in Chicago Fire season 12. Severide never knew about his existence before he joined Firehouse 51, but the older brother took him under his wing and quickly developed a rapport with him. Because of the time jump, however, much of this was skipped over by One Chicago. Out of nowhere, however, Damon’s character became insufferable, as he openly defied orders from Kidd. This led to Chief Boden’s replacement, Dom Pascal, to fire him, effectively cutting the brothers’ newfound relationship.

Severide and Damon did patch things up, but there was a presumption that their story playing out on-screen ends there. However, the brothers are reunited in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9, when Benny’s older son finds his younger brother is attending the class that he is temporarily teaching at OFI. From the looks of it, the pair appears to still be in good terms, but none of them knew beforehand that they were going to cross paths in the academy. Ultimately, it’s a great way to bring back Damon after his time in Chicago Fire was unexpectedly cut short.

Why Jack Damon’s Exit Was So Disappointing

Severide’s Brother Had So Much Story Potential

While there is no doubt that Pascal firing Damon was the right move, considering what he did, it’s the fact that Chicago Fire set up his exit storyline in the first place that is more controversial. Losing Damon forced the show to once again, come up with ways to fill its unstable cast following major character departures in the last few years. Beyond that, Damon suddenly turning rowdy and unpleasant was a sudden departure from his original characterization. Arguably, there was no point in turning him evil, especially in that short period.

By getting rid of Damon, Chicago Fire derailed Severide’s best relationship in years. Granted that he has a strong marriage with Kidd, which continues to be a favorite plot focus in the show, he doesn’t have any other established dynamic beyond that. His best friend, Matt Casey is gone, as well as Chief Boden. Severide barely talks to anyone in Firehouse 51 unless it’s necessary for work. With Damon, he suddenly had another compelling plot that was evolving weekly. It would have been nice to see more of them talking about their different upbringing and memories of their dad.

How Bringing Jack Damon Could Helped Chicago Fire’s Story

Severide’s Family Story Is Revived

In the end, bringing back Damon is a good move for Chicago Fire. He’s currently working in a different firehouse, so don’t expect him to come back to Firehouse 51 any time soon. Perhaps that is for the better, as this means that Severide can separate his personal relationships from his personal ones, especially since he’s already with his wife. Despite that, Chicago Fire can continue to explore the brothers’ dynamic as they spend time together at OFI, where the environment isn’t as intense as it is when responding to cases.

Perhaps after a while, Benny’s younger son can eventually rejoin Firehouse 51. Based on their reunion at Molly’s for Herrmann and Mouch’s celebration party, Damon maintains a good relationship with the people that he used to work with — even Chief Pascal. It would have been better, however, if Kidd is also there to see the Severide brothers reunited in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 9.