As much as it pains me to say this, the time has come for Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd to end, the Chicago Fire season 12 finale makes that clear. Unlike Dick Wolf’s Law & Order franchise, which is more focused on the actual procedural aspect of its storytelling, One Chicago leans into the professional lives of its characters. Weekly cases are great, since they shine the light on the daily challenges and rewards of their line of work, but what gets viewers, like me, hooked, are the personal storylines that are developed through multiple episodes, sometimes even years.
Admittedly, romances are a much bigger part of Chicago Fire than Chicago PD and Chicago Med. While they are not devoid of any love lines, they tend to move much slower compared to how it is with Firehouse 51. In Intelligence, Kim Burgess and Adam Burzek just got engaged for the third time, and there’s still no guarantee that they are getting married anytime soon. While slow-burn romances are great, I’m afraid Chicago PD may have already overdone it with Burzek. Elsewhere, every couple who has been together for a while has long moved on from the Windy City.
Eammon Walker as Boden and Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide in Chicago Fire
Chief Boden leaves Firehouse 51 as he climbs the CFD ladder, but the Chicago Fire season 12 finale has another exit much bigger than his exit.
Severide & Kidd’s Chicago Fire Marriage Has Been One Crisis After Another
Since Getting Married, Stellaride Can’t Seem To Get A Break
Kidd and Severide Wedding in Chicago Fire season 10 finale
Considering how difficult it is to maintain a long-lasting relationship in One Chicago, I root for all couples in the franchise — except those who are wrong for each other. I always forget that Sylvie Brett and Joe Cruz dated, probably because they are better as friends. So it is genuinely difficult to say that it’s time for Severide and Kidd to split up. I know their history, everything that they had to go through just to be together. There’s also clearly chemistry between Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo. Unfortunately, those aren’t enough to keep the couple going.
Since getting married in the Chicago Fire season 10 finale, Kidd and Severide’s relationship has been plagued with one crisis after another. Not long after tying the knot, they were attacked during their honeymoon. This was followed by a near-death experience for Kidd, Severide’s abrupt departure from Firehouse 51 to attend an OFI camp, their tense reunion, and his own brush with death in Chicago Fire season 12, episode 11, “Inside Man.” I know they are in love, but how much more life-beating can they take before they start resenting each other?
Chicago Fire Season 12 Highlights The Big Problems In Severide And Kidd’s Marriage
Severide And Kidd Seem To Thrive In Chaos, That’s Not Healthy
Normally, the fact that a couple has survived all these ordeals should impress me, but there’s also something to be argued about knowing when something isn’t working. Severide and Kidd have been so used to chaos that it’s the only time that they find peace in their relationship. A good example of this comes in Chicago Fire season 12, on the heels of Severide’s disappearance during his OFI stint. To ensure that her husband didn’t do a repeat of ghosting her, Kidd tried to control him, which didn’t work. Ultimately, Severide got his way. He even went out of town again for another arson case.
Somehow, however, Severide’s disappearance in “Inside Man,” has seemingly fully eliminated this issue. Granted that his return in time for Matt Casey and Sylvie Brett’s Chicago Fire season 12 wedding could be an indication of his commitment to his wife, I find it difficult to believe that one gesture could make up for his inexcusable behavior during his OFI absence. Severide broke Kidd’s trust by disappearing on her, especially on the heels of a rough start to their marriage, not to mention her near death during a call. It shouldn’t have been difficult to let his wife know his plans.
Treat Williams and Taylor Kinney as Benny and Kelly Severide and Jack Damon in Chicago Fire
Severide’s Chicago Fire Season 12 Finale Pregnancy Plan Highlights How Inconsiderate He Is To Kidd
Having Children Is A Major Decision That Shouldn’t Have Been Brought Up Randomly
Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide and Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd in Chicago Fire Custom Image by Ana Dumaraog
All of these issues are crystallized in one single scene from the Chicago Fire season 12 finale, “Never Say Goodbye.” As Kidd checks a text message of Baby Julia from Sylvie, who breaks Firehouse 51 tradition by now going by Sylvie Casey, Severide brings up having ki
ds. He acknowledges that it will be a much bigger sacrifice for his wife, but it only comes after Kidd’s lack of enthusiasm over the matter. The way he broaches the subject highlights just how inconsiderate he can be towards Kidd. Given their histories, Severide should have known better than to bring something like that randomly.
Sadly, being inconsiderate has become a pattern for Severide. Similar to when he supposedly got caught up with his OFI camp, which I think is an outrageously absurd excuse, he continues to prioritize his wants over her well-being.
Love can be shown in many ways, but being considerate is perhaps the easiest way to do it. All you have to do is be sensitive as to how your actions, decisions, and words will affect your loved ones. Having children, especially given Kidd’s history and current situation, isn’t something that is discussed casually. Severide should have done it with intention. Sadly, being inconsiderate has become a pattern for Severide. Similar to when he supposedly got caught up with his OFI camp, which I think is an outrageously absurd excuse, he continues to prioritize his wants over her well-being.
Honestly, I can’t blame Kidd for not being more excited about the prospect of having kids. Getting pregnant will sideline her from doing calls and delay any plans he has for her other endeavors like Girls On Fire. Beyond that, however, I, too, will also be very cautious about having children with a man who has ghosted me. Granted that Kidd had also done something similar in the past, but that was before they were married. It’s more serious when Severide can do that despite knowing that they are legally bound together.
Can Severide And Kidd’s Relationship Still Be Fixed?
Regrettably, Severide And Kidd’s Relationship Will Continue To Be Rocky
Sylvie Brett, Matt Casey, Kelly Severide, and Stella Kidd posing and smiling at the wedding in Chicago Fire
I understand it’s a show, and whatever happens on the screen comes from the writers. Unfortunately, showrunner Andrea Newman has warned that things will continue to be rocky for the married couple after Chicago Fire season 12. At this point, I’m tired of seeing them struggle and that it may just be time to accept that they need to go their separate ways. It’s almost as if One Chicago can’t come up with a narrative for the pair that doesn’t involve them dealing with issues, and instead of continuously beating them down, it may be better if they explore other options for the pair.
Now, just because Kidd and Severide should go on a break in Chicago Fire season 13 doesn’t mean that they will forever be separated. If anything, Sylvie and Matt are prime examples of how a temporary split can do wonders for a relationship. For now, however, it’s for the better if One Chicago’s main couple ends.
Chicago Fire season 13 will premiere as part of NBC’s 2024-2025 TV schedule.
