Season 13 of Chicago Fire is wasting no time shaking things up, and episode 3, “All Kinds of Crazy,” proves just how deep the changes at Firehouse 51 run. Chief Dom Pascal’s decision to fire Jack Damon was, on the surface, the correct call. Damon crossed lines that can’t be ignored in a house built on trust, discipline, and accountability. Still, even if the outcome feels justified, I can’t help but have two major problems with how everything unfolded.
There’s no denying that Chicago Fire is in a period of transition. With several beloved characters already gone, the emotional balance of Firehouse 51 feels more fragile than ever. Against that backdrop, Damon’s presence became increasingly volatile. His actions — particularly those involving Kelly Severide’s family — didn’t just create workplace tension; they struck at the heart of what Firehouse 51 stands for. This wasn’t a simple mistake or a momentary lapse in judgment. It was personal, reckless, and deeply destabilizing.
From that perspective, Chief Pascal’s decision to fire Damon feels inevitable. A leader can’t allow behavior that threatens the safety, unity, and emotional well-being of the team, especially during such a delicate rebuilding phase. Letting Damon stay would have sent the wrong message — that some lines can be crossed without lasting consequences. Pascal was right to draw a firm boundary.
However, my first issue lies in how abruptly the decision was handled. Damon’s firing felt rushed, almost as if the show wanted to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible rather than fully explore it. For a character who had been positioned as complicated and morally conflicted, his exit lacked the depth the storyline deserved. We saw the explosion, but not enough of the fallout. In a series that usually excels at character-driven storytelling, this moment felt unusually compressed.
The second problem is how the emotional burden of Damon’s actions fell on Stella Kidd. As Stella navigates the aftermath, she’s once again placed in the position of emotional mediator — absorbing tension, managing reactions, and trying to keep the house steady. While Stella is more than capable, it raises questions about balance. Why does the responsibility so often land on her shoulders, especially when the damage was caused by someone else’s choices? The show acknowledges the impact, but it doesn’t fully unpack it.
That said, Damon’s storyline did succeed in one crucial area: it highlighted the cost of instability at Firehouse 51. His presence forced everyone to confront uncomfortable truths about trust, leadership, and accountability. In that sense, his firing wasn’t just about punishing bad behavior — it was about protecting what little stability remains.
What makes this moment so divisive is that Damon wasn’t portrayed as a one-dimensional villain. There were hints of conflict, insecurity, and even potential for growth. That’s why some viewers may feel he deserved another chance, or at least a clearer path toward redemption. Chicago Fire has a long history of allowing characters to fail, learn, and evolve. Damon, however, didn’t get that same runway.
Ultimately, Chief Pascal made the right call, but the way the story was executed leaves room for debate. The decision makes sense logically, yet emotionally it feels incomplete. As Season 13 continues to redefine Firehouse 51, moments like this will shape how fans view the show’s future — and whether these rapid changes strengthen the series or leave it feeling unmoored.
