As a devoted Chicago Fire fan, I’ve experienced every twist, emotional moment, and adrenaline-pumping scene the show has delivered over the years. However, as Season 13 approaches, one storyline already feels predictable

and uninspired: Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide’s impending journey into parenthood. Before this plotline even kicks off, I find myself questioning its necessity. The couple has been central to the show for years, with their romance providing compelling drama.

Now, with a baby on the horizon, it seems like the writers are defaulting to a well-worn trope rather than exploring something fresh and innovative. While some fans may be eager to see them navigate parenthood, I can’t shake the feeling

that this is a recycled storyline rather than a genuine progression for the characters.

The Overdone Parenthood Narrative

TV dramas have a long history of relying on baby storylines, especially in long-running series like Chicago Fire. The usual beats—the pregnancy announcement, the worries about readiness, the high-stakes delivery, and the inevitable adjustments to family life—have been played out countless times.

Other shows like Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, and The Vampire Diaries have all followed the same formula. The issue is that, once parenthood has been explored repeatedly, it loses its emotional weight and feels like a predictable filler rather than an organic development for the characters.

Chicago Fire itself has already tackled major milestones such as weddings, breakups, and tragic losses. Throwing a baby into the mix feels more like an easy way to stir drama than a meaningful evolution for Kidd and Severide.

Kidd & Severide: A Relationship Stretched Too Thin?

When Kidd and Severide finally got together, it was a highlight for many fans. Their relationship has been through ups and downs, creating plenty of compelling story arcs. However, introducing a baby into the mix makes it seem like their relationship is being forced into a predictable cycle instead of being allowed to develop in new and exciting ways.

Severide’s past relationships, including his engagement to Hallie, and Kidd’s romantic struggles have already explored themes of commitment and emotional turmoil. Now, instead of offering a fresh challenge, the baby storyline feels like a way to recycle old themes rather than push the characters forward in a meaningful way.

The Predictability of Baby Drama

Pregnancy storylines are often fraught with the same set of questions: Are they ready to be parents? Will complications arise? How will it affect their careers? These questions, while valid, don’t offer anything particularly groundbreaking. Given Chicago Fire’s reputation for intense and unique drama, this storyline feels disappointingly safe.

For a show that thrives on action and unexpected twists, the addition of a baby might slow down the pace rather than add anything truly compelling. Instead of enhancing Kidd and Severide’s relationship, it risks making them fall into predictable roles that don’t challenge their characters in a meaningful way.

A Marketing Gimmick More Than a Story

It’s hard to ignore the possibility that this baby storyline is more about grabbing audience attention than delivering a deep, character-driven arc. Long-running shows often use major life events like marriages and births to generate buzz, but that doesn’t mean the execution is always satisfying.

With Chicago Fire‘s rich history of exploring complex themes like PTSD, addiction, and the pressures of first responders, this storyline feels like a missed opportunity. Instead of a fresh take on parenthood, it appears to be a familiar trope designed to keep viewers engaged without actually pushing the characters in new directions.

Conclusion: A Lackluster Development?

Ultimately, it’s not that Kidd and Severide don’t deserve a storyline about building a family—it’s that the way it’s shaping up feels too familiar. If Chicago Fire wants to make this plotline work, it needs to break away from clichés and give these characters real, meaningful growth. Otherwise, it risks becoming just another forgettable chapter in a show that has the potential for so much more.