Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire isn’t shy to in-house romances, but season 13’s next potential love story (between Chief Dom Pascal and Lyla Novak) can only end in disaster. NBC’s procedural drama revolves around the personal and work lives of the firefighters and paramedics from Firehouse 51 in Chicago. After Eamonn Walker’s Chief Boden left Chicago Fire ahead of season 13, Dermot Mulroney’s Pascal assumed his position at the aforementioned fire station. While he has rubbed some of his workers the wrong way, the scenes between Pascal and Novak suggest she is far from being one of those who oppose him.
Jocelyn Hudon’s Novak is also one of the newer characters in Chicago Fire season 13, having joined the crew towards the end of season 12. At first, it seemed like the TV show was setting up a romance between Novak and Kelly Severide’s half-brother, Jack Damon. However, with him now gone, Novak has her eyes on her new boss in Chicago Fire season 13. Unfortunately, a relationship between Chief Pascal and Novak would probably be the worst idea for all parties involved.
How Chicago Fire May Be Setting Up Pascal & Novak’s Romance
Novak Has A Crush On Pascal
Novak has made it clear that she has a thing for Chief Pascal in Chicago Fire season 13. Sure, she hasn’t said those exact words out loud, but context clues suggest that Novak’s crush on her boss has continued to grow as the episodes pass. In episode 1, Novak told Violet, “Pascal is kind of distractingly cute for a chief.” Violet brought up how her paramedic partner previously had a fling with her (married) instructor at training. That combined with Novak’s comments about Chief Pascal made Violet think she is drawn to authority figures, but Novak attributed her attraction to “daddy issues.”
The Chicago Fire writers are laying the groundwork for a romance between Chief Pascal and Novak.
Meanwhile, Chief Pascal hasn’t been as open concerning his feelings about Novak. However, while Chief Pascal antagonizes and scrutinizes many of his workers in Chicago Fire season 13, Mulroney’s character is shockingly sweet (at least, for him) with Novak. When Novak called him amazing for helping Violet in episode 4 and invited him to Violet’s birthday party in episode 5, Chief Pascal was cordial (again, his version of cordial) towards the paramedic. So, it appears that the Chicago Fire writers are laying the groundwork for a romance between Chief Pascal and Novak.
A Pascal & Novak Romance Will Create Big Problems For Firehouse 51
Pascal Is Married
Even if there is a spark between Chief Pascal and Novak in Chicago Fire season 13, their relationship turning romantic is problematic. For starters, Chief Pascal is married (although his relationship with his wife, Monica, is strained and complicated). Novak’s last fling was with a guy who was also married, and that didn’t turn out well for the paramedic. Being the “other woman” is never a good position to be in. Despite her possible feelings for Chief Pascal, Novak shouldn’t want to push herself into that situation again.
The other major issue with Chief Pascal and Novak engaging in a romantic relationship is that he is her superior. He leads Firehouse 51, while she is a paramedic (second to Violet, the paramedic in charge). As a result, a power imbalance exists between Chief Pascal and Novak, meaning a potential romance would not only negatively affect the two Chicago Fire characters but also the entirety of Firehouse 51.
What A Pascal & Novak Romance Means For Chicago Fire Season 13
Pascal Is Novak’s Superior
If Chicago Fire season 13 continues pushing Chief Pascal and Novak together, this story will only end in disaster. They would have to keep their affair a secret because he is married. Plus, there could be significant repercussions if anyone at Firehouse 51 figured out the true nature of their relationship. Either (or both) Chief Pascal or Novak could get fired just like Damon in Chicago Fire season 13. So, Chief Pascal and Novak’s potential romance would affect their personal and work lives.
| Chicago Fire Season 13 Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Taylor Kinney | Kelly Severide |
| Miranda Rae Mayo | Stella Kidd |
| David Eigenberg | Christopher Herrmann |
| Christian Stolte | Randall “Mouch” McHolland |
| Joe Minoso | Joe Cruz |
| Daniel Kyri | Darren Ritter |
| Hanako Greensmith | Violet Mikami |
| Jocelyn Hudon | Lyla “Lizzie” Novak |
| Dermot Mulroney | Dom Pascal |
| Jake Lockett | Sam Carver |
| Michael Bradway | Jack Damon |
| Katelynn Shennett | Kylie Estevez |
Chief Pascal starting an affair with Novak would also make him a hypocrite after his discussion with Severide in the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere. Mulroney’s character brought up the rule prohibiting loved ones from working together at the same firehouse and during the same shift, which he strongly enforces. He made an exception for Severide and Stella because they had proven they could efficiently work together. However, everything might change if a romance between Chief Pascal and Novak happens. The two Chicago FIre characters acting on their feelings is just a bad idea, but it will create maximal drama in season 13.
