Even though the structure of Chicago Fire season 13, episode 18, “Post-Mortem,” is inherently interesting, one detail about Kelly Severide’s character during the hour makes its ending way less satisfying than it should be. Taylor Kinney’s Chicago Fire season 13 character has been much more present in recent episodes than in the past couple of seasons. He has dealt with the unexpected arrival of his long-lost half-brother, Jack Damon, begun the process of starting a family with his wife, Stella Kidd, and formed a bond with his new chief, Dom Pascal, in season 13.
It’s safe to say that Severide has had a lot of story in Chicago Fire season 13. However, that doesn’t mean his arc has been perfect, especially in episode 18, which features confusing choices concerning his plotline within the hour. Based on his character and all the developments related to him in Chicago Fire season 13, part of Severide’s behavior in “Post-Mortem” makes no sense.
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 18’s Unusual Case Explained
The Story Is Told Via Retellings & Flashbacks
As the Chicago Fire Department’s new Deputy Commissioner, Eamonn Walker’s Chief Boden returns in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 18, to investigate an accident involving Firehouse 51. As viewers learn early on, one of Firehouse 51’s own is fighting for their life in the hospital due to said accident. However, their identity is unknown, leaving the audience guessing for the majority of the episode. The incident happened during a horrific house fire, and Boden arrives at the fire station after the fact to learn how everything went so wrong.
In a series of retellings and flashbacks, the truth of what happened that night is slowly pieced together over the course of the hour, with Boden questioning Chief Pascal, Severide, Kidd, and Christopher Herrmann. So, right away, all four of them are eliminated from the episode-long mystery of which Chicago Fire character got severely injured in the house fire. Boden gets all four firefighters’ versions of how the call played out. Unfortunately, many things went wrong that night, which resulted in the unknown character being in critical condition.
Long story short, Chief Pascal ordered his firefighters out of the house when he noticed it was about to collapse. However, someone got left behind. At first, viewers are led to believe that Sam Carver, who has just returned from his furlough, is the one in the hospital.
By the end of Chicago Fire season 13, episode 18, though, it’s revealed that Damon was the firefighter inside the house when the roof collapsed. The good news is that Boden clears Firehouse 51 of any wrongdoing, and Damon makes it out of surgery. The bad news is that Damon’s future as a firefighter is up in the air because of the extent of his injuries.
Damon’s Near-Death Tragedy Feels Emotionally Flat Because Of Kelly Severide’s Behavior
Severide Is Too Calm
While it’s devastating to learn that Damon is the Chicago Fire season 13 character whose life was on the line, the twist is completely ruined, thanks to Severide. Throughout “Post-Mortem,” the lieutenant is entirely too calm for someone whose brother might die. Severide is known for being overprotective and has made many rash decisions in the past 13 seasons. So, his not being overly distraught in episode 18 makes no sense.
While it’s understandable that Severide would need to be around to answer Boden’s questions, it’s still strange that he wasn’t at the hospital, waiting for news regarding his brother’s condition. Severide is aware that Damon could die. However, he certainly doesn’t act like it in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 18, despite Severide and Damon’s evident close bond. Consequently, the reveal that Damon is the one in critical condition is much less impactful because it makes one wonder why Severide wasn’t completely on edge throughout the hour.
Chicago Fire Needs To Do A Better Job Developing Damon & Severide’s Relationship
Season 13 Has Started To Neglect The Brothers
While Severide’s behavior in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 18 is confusing, it’s also a sign of a bigger problem. Sure, the original One Chicago TV show spent a decent amount of time developing Severide and Damon’s relationship at the beginning of season 13 (even though it skipped over the immediate aftermath of Severide learning he had a half-brother). After Damon’s return to Firehouse 51, though, it seems the series has no intention of evolving his and Severide’s bond any further, which is a mistake.
As of episode 18, Damon and Severide’s relationship doesn’t appear to be all that deep or special. We know that’s not the case, but Severide’s lack of urgency regarding his brother’s critical condition certainly doesn’t help matters. Chicago Fire must put in the work to prove Severide and Damon’s close bond, finishing what was started at the beginning of season 13.
