Aside from Boden’s storyline being partially open-ended, “The Little Things” has no impact on Chicago Fire Season 12 overall.
It’s a case of the week-style episode where the biggest reveal is Daniel Kyri’s character Darren Ritter quickly sussing out that Violet Mikami and Sam Carver are not just “having fun.” The reason to watch the episode is simply that it shows many of the different reasons why the show has lasted this long. It has a fire to investigate, personal drama for certain characters and a comedic subplot where baby Julia predictably is lost in the firehouse. (The talent of David Eigenberg is highlighted here, because of course it’s Christopher Herrmann — the firehouse’s wise dad — who gets the last laugh on that subject.)
Not every TV episode has to be a showstopper, and this one is an example of being entertaining without overreaching.
Fans of Stella Kidd and Stellaride will be happy to see her taking the lead again, plus putting her in Severide’s shoes is another way to address the tension in their relationship without being obvious about it. Speaking of obvious, people waiting eagerly for Brett and Casey to tie the knot get a laugh out of Joe Cruz worrying that Brett didn’t invite him simply because they dated seasons ago, even though they know that he’s overreacting. Anyone looking for serious, heartwrenching drama will find it in the Boden story.
“The Little Things” includes a little bit of everything — and in so doing, avoids the common mistake of taking one story and trying to stretch it across an entire TV hour. It probably won’t be remembered by the end of Chicago Fire Season 12, but it serves as comfort food to One Chicago fans and helps them to recall why these characters matter to them. It is, to quote the title, the little things that make this episode worthwhile.
