Spoiler Alert: The following contains spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 16, “In the Rubble.”
It’s hard to imagine Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) returning to Firehouse 51 for any reason other than to clean up the mess left behind by Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) in Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 16, “In the Rubble.” Since Pascal’s arrival in Season 13, he has faced resistance from the crew, especially Kidd and Severide, due to his desire to run a more disciplined firehouse than Boden did. However, his behavior in this episode undermines any progress he made in that direction. His uncharacteristic and impulsive actions, driven by his grief over his wife Monica’s death, put both himself and the team in jeopardy. Pascal’s inability to make sound decisions only worsens when he unexpectedly approves the return of Jack Damon, a decision that many of his crew members, including Severide, strongly oppose.
In the aftermath of Monica’s tragic death, Pascal is consumed by grief, which leads him to make a series of reckless decisions. His behavior becomes erratic, and he even endangers himself by risking his life in a rescue mission, which catches the attention of the crew. When Severide confronts Pascal about his increasingly unstable actions, which include stalking the driver responsible for Monica’s death, Pascal finally acknowledges the depth of his mistakes. However, his decision to bring Damon back into Firehouse 51, despite his crew’s objections and his own reservations, signals his further spiral into self-destruction. This impulsive choice, made during an emotional moment, seems to be a desperate attempt to regain some control, but it only complicates matters.
Dermot Mulroney as Dom Pascal in Chicago Fire season 13, episode 16
The return of Damon, a firefighter with a history of reckless behavior and insubordination, is a questionable decision that Pascal seems to make hastily, influenced by his grief and perhaps the hope of maintaining Severide’s trust. Severide’s role in convincing Pascal to allow Damon’s return may also be a factor, as it’s possible Pascal thinks by granting this favor, he can prevent Severide from escalating his concerns. Regardless of the motive, bringing Damon back could have dire consequences for Firehouse 51, as his previous actions had already put the team at risk.
It seems likely that Chief Boden’s return to Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire Episode 18 will be directly tied to the fallout from Pascal’s recent decisions. Boden will arrive to investigate a devastating collapse during a rescue mission, a disaster that could be a direct result of the reckless decisions made under Pascal’s leadership. With Pascal’s poor judgment, particularly in rehiring Damon, the investigation will likely reveal significant mistakes that could have been avoided. If Damon’s reckless behavior continues, it’s only a matter of time before another disaster strikes, and Boden will have to hold Pascal accountable for these missteps. This upcoming investigation could spell trouble for Pascal, and he may find himself facing the consequences of his grief-driven decisions, with Boden stepping in to ensure accountability. The chain of events sparked by the rehire of Damon could lead to even more serious consequences, making Boden’s return not just necessary, but inevitable.
