Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 4, “The Little Things” is another Stella Kidd episode that showcases her ability to relate to just about anyone.
Stella Kidd (actor Miranda Rae Mayo) seen from rear in uniform in front of fire on Chicago Fire
Stella Kidd has become the heart of Chicago Fire on many different levels. Not only is the Stellaride relationship a core component of the NBC drama, but Stella’s personal character arc has seen her become both a literal and emotional leader at Firehouse 51. Chicago Fire Season 12, Episode 4, “The Little Things” is another episode that puts Stella’s compassion front and center.
There’s also some valuable screen time for Chief Wallace Boden, who gets an unexpected visit from his stepson James and some crushing news that goes with it. Plus, there’s a requisite comedic subplot involving firefighters and baby Julia that One Chicago fans can all guess (and laugh at). But the heart of the episode in every sense is Stella’s investigation into a backyard blaze and what she learns along the way.
Chicago Fire Reinforces Stella Kidd’s Popularity
‘The Little Things’ Shows What Makes Her a Fan-Favorite
Stella’s Evolution From Firefighter to Lieutenant ｜ NBC’s Chicago Fire
10 Best-Written Female Characters in One Chicago
Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med all feature strong female characters who have won over One Chicago audiences for various reasons.
After the departure of Monica Raymund as Gabriela Dawson, Stella Kidd became Chicago Fire’s most high-profile female character. While it took extra time for the show to figure out what to do with Sylvie Brett both professionally and personally, Stella’s place within the show was very clear. Her own friends-to-lovers relationship with Kelly Severide had already gone through its “will they, won’t they” phase, and Stella being a firefighter meant that she could be thrown into all kinds of action-packed situations. When Chief Boden began to encourage Stella to take new career advancement opportunities, that was a clear in-universe reflection of how highly the series’ creatives thought of Stella, too. “The Little Things” is a reminder of why the character was, and still is, so popular.
This is another episode with a story involving Stella and kids. Whether it’s younger kids like Harper — the young girl Stella suspects of starting fires in her neighborhood — or the Girls on Fire mentorship program from a few seasons ago, Stella has a way of bonding with kids, particularly young women. Stella continues to push the idea that Harper needs help, even over Harper’s mother’s objections, and is eventually proven right when Harper’s house goes up in flames at the end of the episode. It’s Stella who personally finds Harper sheltering under a sink and ensures that she’s taken to safety. Stella connects with characters outside Firehouse 51 and her determination is front and center.
But “The Little Things” also works because Stella isn’t just the hero of the day; she also has to reflect on herself, namely the ongoing back-and-forth going on about Severide continuing as an arson investigator. That was the awkward in-universe explanation for Taylor Kinney’s absence, and in her conversation with Office of Fire Investigation boss Van Meter, Stella seems to find a little bit more understanding of Severide, too. The script is putting her in Severide’s position — wanting to close an arson case no matter what gets in the way. Stella has a lot of great qualities, but she’s also given the opportunity for growth.
10 Best Firefighter Shows, According To IMDb
From Station 19 to Chicago Fire, the best firefighter shows have earned high IMDb ratings with their dramatic storylines and captivating plots.
All of the plots in this Chicago Fire episode revolve around family in some way. There’s Harper and her mother, Brett having to leave baby Julia at Firehouse 51 while almost everyone gets invitations to Brett and Casey’s wedding, and Boden being surprised by his stepson. The latter is the most resonant because it’s the least predictable and because of the talent of Eamonn Walker. Walker is one of the actors who’s been part of Chicago Fire’s cast from the very beginning, and when he’s given a subplot of his own, he always shines in it.
“The Little Things” follows Boden as he learns that his ex-wife Shonda has been arrested for trafficking fentanyl into the United States from Canada. James is insistent that Shonda must have been set up by the owner of the club she’s working at, and begs Boden to help keep his mother out of prison. But when Boden visits Shonda in custody, she confesses that she knowingly trafficked the illegal drugs across the border. The news is devastating to Boden on two levels
