Everyone has those days at work that make no sense — and Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 2, “Ride the Blade” is one of those days. It’s an episode overpowered by characters’ personal lives and relationship drama, and most of it feels awkward as a result. Furthermore, it’s evidence that two of Firehouse 51’s newest additions don’t fit within the show’s well-oiled framework. Luckily, at least one of them appears to be on their way out.
“Ride the Blade” primarily focuses on the tension caused by Jack Damon, as he drives a wedge between Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd, much to everyone’s frustration (including the audience). Meanwhile, even more is learned about new chief Dom Pascal, and there might be progress in the situation between Violet Mikami and Sam Carver. But most of this episode, except for the last few minutes, isn’t something that fans will want to see again.
Jack Damon Is Chicago Fire’s Biggest Problem
Season 13, Episode 2 Might Be Fixing That, Though
Jack Damon, played by actor Michael Bradway, tries to lift a fallen boat on Chicago Fire
In fairness to this episode, Jack Damon has been a problem for Chicago Fire since the Season 12 finale. The reveal of Damon as Severide’s heretofore unknown half-brother felt utterly random, and now two episodes later, Damon has made a full heel turn. Some of the expressions on actor Michael Bradway’s face in scenes between Severide and Damon are reminiscent of how creepy Hope used to look when she was obsessed with Severide in Season 7. And the dynamic between Damon and Severide in this episode is equally uncomfortable as the former’s hero worship escalates to him expecting Severide to be his confidant and protector. Luckily, the end of the hour suggests that this will all be over soon, as Severide gives Damon an ultimatum.
Kelly Severide: We can’t work at the same firehouse. One of us has to go.
Some fans are worried that this means Kinney will be leaving Chicago Fire again, but there is no logical reason to keep the character of Damon around. He doesn’t add anything to the program aside from stirring up drama; if the show wants to explore Severide’s family more, it has a clear path with the idea of him and Stella starting one of their own. Meanwhile, this show needs Taylor Kinney. The best part of “Ride the Blade” is the evidence of that because Kinney takes Severide through a clear arc, with some help from Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz.
It gets frustrating for viewers when Severide is so clearly letting Damon steamroll him — it feels like depowering his character. But the script gives him back his intelligence by the end, and does so in the best way, because there truly is a parallel between Cruz and his brother Leon and what Severide is on the brink of with Damon. Kinney says very little in that pivotal scene with Minoso, but his eyes tell the whole story and that moment is an example of what he brings to the series. Hopefully the Damon arc is over, if only so Kinney can get back to developing Severide in other directions that don’t take away from him as a character.
