Chicago Fire” appears to be revisiting a well-worn plotline, one that the series has explored multiple times. While emotionally engaging, this recurring theme

has started to feel overused, leaving many viewers ready for a fresh direction. The latest episode once again delves into the topic of adoption—a meaningful

and valid way to build a family, but one that has been extensively covered throughout the show’s history.

Stella & Kelly’s Adoption Decision

In Season 13, Episode 12, titled Relief Cut, Stella Kidd’s cousin, Cole Williams, arrives in town, reopening old wounds from her past. After years of estrangement due to Stella distancing herself from the Williams side of the family, the two finally reconcile. Later, Kelly Severide takes Cole out for drinks at Molly’s, where he learns more about Stella’s difficult childhood.

Stella had taken on a maternal role at a young age, caring for her younger cousin after her Aunt Laverne suffered from postpartum depression. This responsibility took a heavy toll on her, leading her down a difficult path of substance abuse and an unhealthy first marriage. Now understanding her reluctance towards motherhood, Kelly encourages an open conversation about their future. Stella reveals that while she wants children, she would rather adopt than have a biological child—hoping to give another child the same opportunity that her aunt once gave her. This sets up a new chapter for Stellaride, suggesting that they may soon expand their family.

Repetitive Adoption Storylines in Chicago Fire

While Stella and Kelly’s decision is a heartfelt one, it highlights a recurring issue within Chicago Fire: the frequent use of adoption storylines. This is far from the first time the show has explored this theme, with past characters facing emotional and often turbulent adoption journeys.

One of the earliest examples is Gabriela Dawson and Matt Casey’s attempt to adopt Louie. Gabby bonded with the young boy at a fire scene, feeling an instant connection. She and Matt pursued adoption, only for Louie’s biological father to surface and take custody. The storyline ended with heartbreak, leading to the couple’s eventual split. Many fans felt that this arc was unnecessary, especially since Louie was never mentioned again after his departure.

On the flip side, adoption has worked out well for some characters. Sylvie Brett, after reconnecting with her biological mother’s family, found herself drawn to a teenage mother looking to give up her baby. She adopted the infant, Julia, before reuniting with Matt Casey and moving to Colorado with him and his adopted children. Similarly, Joe Cruz successfully adopted Javi, a young boy from Honduras, after forming a deep bond with him.

A Need for Fresh Storytelling

While adoption is a beautiful and meaningful journey, Chicago Fire has relied on this narrative time and time again. The last successful birth on the show was Chloe Cruz giving birth to Brian in Season 9, meaning that biological parenthood has been largely absent from recent seasons. While it makes sense that the writers avoid sidelining characters with pregnancy storylines, introducing a new biological child could offer a refreshing change of pace.

Rather than repeating yet another emotionally fraught adoption arc, the show could explore Stella’s journey in a more unique way—focusing on her internal struggles with parenthood or finding a different approach to expanding her family. At this point, seeing a character experience a pregnancy would be a more unexpected and engaging twist. Chicago Fire thrives on emotional depth and strong character development, but it’s time to move beyond this cycle of adoption-centric storytelling and introduce something new to keep fans invested.