Overall I think this episode is definitely going to be one of my favourite episodes of the season and I know it’s early on, but I feel very confident saying that. All the storylines being separate whilst also tying into each other was so nice to just watch. I think it was a great gel of multiple storylines that intertwined with each other whilst also being separate.
I believe the last time someone’s personal address/place was burned down was Peter Mills’ family restaurant way back at the end of season one. As much as it’s not nice to watch characters go through the turmoil of losing their own place, it was really nice to be able to see David Eigenberg show off his acting skills and his duality as actor being able to play both sides of Hermann; as a family man and also then as a firefighter.
I’m still not a massive fan of the adoption storyline for Stella and Kelly however I am liking being able to see them as parents and navigate a tricky situation. I really would like to be able to see Stella bond a little bit more with Isaiah, but the last scene where Isaiah gives Kidd his Bulls cap to give to Kenny made me realise there was progress regardless of how gradual it is. Obviously, I love Severide as that father figure and he’s always been good with kids, even right back when he saved the kid from the tractor that had gone sideways. I love being able to see him have Stella’s help with looking after a child because we haven’t really seen that at all before now.
“Mercy” – CHICAGO FIRE. Pictured: Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd. Photo: Peter Gordon/NBC ©2025 NBCUniversal Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
A quick mention for Severide in charge because I am loving it, as I’ve said previously I would very much like to see him have a promotion this season and this episode absolutely cemented that for me.
Capp is honestly such a hilarious character. Genuinely he needs more scenes because not only did he absolutely smash it out the park being a paramedic, but he also managed to injure himself on the job. His “you’ve got to be kidding me” when he saw all the needles was fabulous. Then having a needle stuck in his neck was absolutely amazing comedy.
One thing that I love about Chicago Fire is that not only do you have the really serious moments and the really hard-hitting moments, but you also have levity and laughter in the same episode. It’s not just a full episode doom and gloom or laughter, it meshes the two together perfectly and it’s rare to have that in shows these days.
“Mercy” – CHICAGO FIRE. Pictured: Brandon Larracuente as Sal Vasquez. Photo: Peter Gordon/NBC ©2025 NBCUniversal Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Surprise surprise, I have been roped into Vasquez and his story. I genuinely wish I could say I was shocked but considering every single character that comes onto the show I dislike for a roundabout four episodes and then suddenly start to like them it’s not an out of the box idea that the same would happen for Vasquez. It was definitely interesting to see him interact with his dad. It felt like he was scared of his dad rather than having admiration for his dad. It was like a duty that he had to get his dad out of prison and his dad was putting him in that position to get him out even though that’s definitely not his role. I would love to see Vasquez open up to Novak about the situation with his dad because I feel she would be the perfect person to help him out and give him good advice.
The final scene of this episode definitely pulled at the heartstrings, but I loved the fact that after everything Herrmann still kept his cheeky side. Telling Cindy that he hadn’t found the ring, but Mouch had was so funny, but you could just see the love emanating from that scene. I think them coming together at the end in the new temporary apartment was just such a special ending to a really great episode.