Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 4, “Through the Skin” isn’t the most action-packed episode, but it’s one that may prove to be important to the show much later down the line. The hour focuses primarily on Violet Mikami as she’s the latest character to be threatened with termination, and Hanako Greensmith is fantastic throughout her storyline. But almost as importantly, the script changes viewers’ opinions toward two characters who have been more trouble than anything else.
“Through the Skin” is named because Violet decides to perform an emergency C-section when she realizes that a recently deceased woman is pregnant. Though she saves the baby, the unauthorized procedure puts her medical license in jeopardy. And surprisingly, the NBC series goes back to the saga of Jack Damon… and handles him better than it has all season. That may or may not matter to the plot, but it will make viewers take a second look.
Chicago Fire Proves Violet’s Worth One More Time
Hanako Greensmith Has Her Best Performance Since Season 11
Violet Mikami’s development on Chicago Fire has been one of the show’s more impressive stories. When she was originally introduced, she was a guest star whose sole function was to antagonize Blake Gallo. But after the surprise departure of Gianna Mackey, the writers had the smart idea to bring Violet back in a more fully developed role. To see her go from just Gallo’s ex to now Paramedic in Charge at Firehouse 51 has been a joy, especially as actor Hanako Greensmith keeps showing more and more of what she can do. “Through the Skin” is one of her best episodes.
It’s Greensmith’s performance that takes a typical Chicago Fire plot and makes it so interesting. Violet is not the first character to risk her job in order to do the right thing; numerous members of the firehouse have faced suspension or dismissal for various reasons over the years. But the plot specifics are almost irrelevant, because they’re just the catalyst for the emotional journey Violet takes. Facing the loss of her license — and therefore her career — threatens her whole identity. Add in a ridiculous question posed by Sam Carver’s girlfriend Tori, who just butted heads with Violet in Season 13, Episode 3, “All Kinds of Crazy,” and Violet has a well-deserved outburst. The scene in which she finally explodes is so well done, because Greensmith conveys not just anger, but Violet’s heartbreak, too.
Chief Robinson: Morally, ethically, you did the right thing in my book, Mikami.
There’s a reference to the death of Violet’s boyfriend Evan Hawkins that still tugs at the heartstrings, two seasons later. (The return of Laura Allen as Hawkins’ replacement Chief Robinson reinforces how much Hawkins is missed.) It also highlights how much Violet has been through in general. Aside from the license situation, she’s less than a season removed from losing her partner and friend Sylvie Brett, been promoted to replace Brett, gotten adjusted to her current partner Lizzie Novak, and has her “will they, won’t they, can they just do this already” going with Carver. Violet and Carver agree to be friends, but it’s bittersweet because the fans know what Violet says is not at all what she wants to say, and it seems like Carver does, too. This episode is the culmination of Violet’s recent experiences and it plays out beautifully, even if there’s a bit of an easy save, courtesy of Dom Pascal.
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 4 Makes Pascal a Hero
The New Chief Finally Feels Like a Team Player
“Through the Skin” is also a massive step forward for new Battalion Chief Dom Pascal. The character has definitely proved that he’s not Wallace Boden with the way he’s handled his team since he arrived, but what the show hasn’t established is why he belongs at Firehouse 51. That seemed to change when he kicked Jack Damon out of the building, but this episode undercuts that by creating tension between him and Stella Kidd over finding a replacement. Pascal doesn’t fully turn the corner until he goes to bat for Violet, even though it means humbling himself. Pascal knows that his old acquaintance Vale is friends with an alderman, so he turns up at Vale’s office and asks his frenemy to get the alderman to advocate for Violet. It’s the alderman’s vow to make a public scene out of the case that prompts the state medical board to reinstate Violet’s license.
This plot point is definitely a convenient and quick way to resolve Violet’s dilemma, but it’s also a good way to take the show’s least interesting storyline and make it mean something. In Season 13, Episode 2, “Ride the Blade,” Pascal punched Vale for his perceived interest in Pascal’s wife Monica. The whole Monica story is strange and over the top, and it stands out more because it’s the only character development that the new chief has gotten. But now that assault has relevance, because it gives Pascal’s decision to ask Vale for help stakes, and shows his true character. He’s not just calling in a favor; he’s sticking his own neck out in a sense, and that’s not easy given how obstinate viewers have seen Pascal be. For him to take that risk is proof that Pascal is fully committed to Firehouse 51.
Lizzie Novak: You didn’t just save her job, you saved a lot of lives.
These are the kinds of scenes that Dermot Mulroney’s character needs. Whether he stays around for the rest of the season or winds up being replaced by Christopher Herrmann eventually, audiences have to believe that Pascal is worthy of leading the house — and that’s not just in an administrative sense. It also means feeling like he cares about everyone else. All Season 13 has to do is focus more on this and less on what is going on in Pascal’s marriage, and he could gain his own fan following.
Chicago Fire Ends Jack Damon’s Story in an Unexpectedly Brilliant Way
Damon Finds His Redemption and Stella Gets a Great Surprise
Chicago Fire absolutely did not have to say anything more about Jack Damon, which makes it surprising that Episode 4 brings him back. After how quickly Damon went downhill in Season 13, it was a relief when Pascal agreed to transfer him out of Firehouse 51. That means it’s almost bewildering that the subplot of “Through the Skin” is Stella worrying about Damon’s future. Yes, he may be Kelly Severide’s half-brother, but he lied to her and about her; she doesn’t owe him anything. Nonetheless, Stella and Severide want to make sure that Damon is okay, which leads Severide to visit Damon’s new firehouse. And when he gets there, he vouches for Damon to the captain.
Damon’s surprise when he learns about Severide’s recommendation — which prompts the captain to offer him a permanent spot at his new house — is exactly the reaction the viewers have. This is the Damon storyline the show should have had all along. The half-brother bit always felt like a stretch, but Severide mentoring Damon and encouraging him to find his own identity is so much more worthwhile than Damon scheming and feeling entitled. Michael Bradway also gets to relax in his performance, too, now that he doesn’t have to lean into Damon’s negative qualities. The earnestness of the character is back, and it’s nice to see him end up in a good place, similar to how Chicago Fire let Hope turn things around.
Kelly Severide: I’m not going anywhere, Jack.
Plus, there’s an unexpected and creative solution to Stella’s problem: Daniel Kyri’s character Darren Ritter moves from Engine to Truck. It’s a very wise move to give a new opportunity to an existing character rather than compulsively add someone else who has to start from scratch. Ritter deserves more screen time and the job switch is a way for him to get it, by opening up different things for him to do.
“Through the Skin” is not going to be remembered as one of the most exciting episodes of Season 13. But it’s important in changing the way audiences perceive Damon and Pascal, which matters in the big picture. It turns negatives into positives. It also highlights the growth of Violet and how much more of a journey she has ahead of her. One of the cool things about Chicago Fire is that it’s been willing to re-evaluate characters over the years, and this episode is anchored by three characters who’ve all changed significantly. It’s an hour that the writers can build upon to make the season that much better.
