As fans of Chicago Fire eagerly await the winter premiere in January, the fall finale left a mixture of excitement and

frustration hanging in the air. A pivotal storyline revolved around Mouch (Christian Stolte) and his quest to pass the

captain test, setting the stage for a major promotion. Yet, the episode concluded without providing a definitive

answer about his fate, ensuring viewers are left in suspense.

However, a recently released promo for the winter premiere may have unintentionally revealed Mouch’s future following the captain test. In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, observant fans have speculated that Mouch might be seen sitting in Truck 81, specifically in the lieutenant seat, traditionally held by Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo).

In a scene shortly after this moment in the promo, Herrmann (David Eigenberg) delivers an enthusiastic pep talk to the team. This apparent juxtaposition feels like a deliberate tease from the show’s creators, given that Herrmann took the captain test alongside Mouch and they were last shown motivating each other before taking on this pivotal challenge.

Could it be wishful thinking from the fans? The identity of the individual sitting in the lieutenant seat is indeed unclear. While it could be Mouch, it’s also possible that he doesn’t transition into this role, and our interpretations may simply be misleading. Interestingly, soon after Mouch’s potential appearance, the clip shows Kidd stepping out of the lieutenant spot, raising further questions about Mouch’s status.

There are a couple of scenarios that might explain this situation. One possibility is that Mouch might not take over the lieutenant role at all, and fans are simply misled by clever editing. Alternatively, Mouch could fill in temporarily if Kidd is unavailable during certain calls, hinting at a versatile dynamic within Truck 81.

Chicago Fire has a history of editing promos in a way that can obscure the true narrative, often using footage from other episodes to create suspense or mislead viewers about character arcs. Nevertheless, it’s uncommon for the show to hint at the presence of characters who may not be involved in the unfolding story. As Stella Kidd was seen in the promo, her involvement is virtually guaranteed.

As viewers, we’re left eagerly anticipating the winter premiere, curious to uncover what really happened with Mouch during the test. The growing speculation suggests that he may have passed after all, leading to a new chapter in his career within Truck 81. Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: Chicago Fire continues to keep fans on the edge of their seats.