Chicago Fire season 13 episode 18 might bring about the returns of two familiar faces, but amid Boden and Carver’s return to 51, you might notice there are two other beloved characters missing in action in the episode, “Post-Mortem.”
We’re referring to Hanako Greensmith’s Violet and Jocelyn Hudon’s Novak, who both surprisingly do not appear in the latest episode. So what were 51’s two paramedics up to that kept their characters from appearing in the latest episode of season 13? Well, it seems they were pulled away to help out at another firehouse in the district.
As Stella helps to welcome Carver back after his time away from 51 in rehab, she reveals via a quick one-off comment that Violet and Novak are not on shift at 51 as they were reassigned to Firehouse 90 for the episode.
“We are happy to have you back in rotation,” Stella told Carver. “Violet and Novak are bummed to miss you, but they’re pulling a shift over at 90.”
Carver quips back that he’ll “catch ’em next time,” as the episode then quickly moves on with the moment clearly meant to explain why Violet and Novak aren’t present in the episode.
As explained in the show, the reason Violet and Novak don’t appear in the episode is because they’re taking a shift over at another firehouse, but the real reason the pair don’t appear in the episode seems to be due to the fact that series regulars no longer appear in every episode as part of budget cuts. This results in random absences of beloved characters every now and then in the show, and it seems this episode was simply the episode that the writers chose to have the duo sit out the episode — though we’re definitely a bit puzzled.
To not have Violet on shift when Carver finally returned is such an interesting choice after we’ve watched Violet struggle to come to terms with her feelings and build anticipation for his return. Still, perhaps it was for the better that Violet and Carver’s reunion didn’t come about in the episode, as the tone of the episode wasn’t exactly fitting of a lighter moment, such as Violet and Carver having an awkwardly-adorable reunion.
Given we know now that Jake Lockett will be leaving the show at the end of the current season, we’re even more disappointed that we were robbed of what is going to now be a limited chance to see Carver and Violet together on the show.
Novak’s absence also felt a bit jarring considering that Damon was injured during the call at the center of the episode. While the pair’s fling has cooled down lately following Damon’s return to 51 on a more permanent basis, it’s clear the pair is a budding couple and to not get to see Novak be there for Damon following his injury felt like a bit of a miss.
Luckily, it seems both Novak and Violet will be back in episode 19 so hopefully we’ll get to see the pair share some meaningful scenes with both Carver and Damon after their absence in episode 18!
