Chicago Fire "Purgatory"

"Purgatory" is another great dramatic episode that makes the entire hour fulfilling, featuring intense and humorous scenes. Dividing the 51 firefighters among other firehouses was a good strategic move. Here's a recap and review. 

Scattered and Uninspired

Following last week's bombshell from Chief Anderson, Boden, Casey, Severide, and Dawson must work with some new faces and familiar ones. Some of them are too slow on the job. Training them doesn't go well for both Casey and Severide, as one of the new firefighters even stops during a call to get soup.

Meanwhile, Otis continues to make up stories he wasn't a part of. Herrmann and Mouch see the uninspired firefighters and try to get them to work together. Even seeing Herrmann yelling at Boden was the tipping point of the episode, showing just how much the team's separation was affecting everyone. And Brett and Kidd see a new candidate get treated roughly by a chief, while Cruz and Capp work the emergency call lines.

A Heroic Reunion

Boden tried everything he could to fight this, but it seemed he would have to wait six months to a year to try again. But when a hotel fire calls on all firehouses, everyone from 51 works together and pulls off a heroic job. Boden rushes in at a time of need when a door isn't opening, and he pulls out a person who was left in the room. As the flames grow, Otis arrives with the hose and helps them out safely.

Later that week, Boden gets a visit from the man he pulled out of the hotel. He works for the Mayor's office and offers to give Boden a medal. But instead of a medal, Boden asks to have his firefighters brought back to 51, which he does, and it angers Anderson once more. Anderson threatens Boden, telling him he got lucky, and Boden responds perfectly, saying he didn't get lucky, but that he was a "damn good firefighter."

My Thoughts

This was a very well-mixed episode of Chicago Fire. I enjoyed how Casey, Severide, and Dawson had to handle their new guys. Otis had me yelling at the television every time he was telling a story that he wasn't a part of. And the way everyone came together during the hotel fire was one of the best heroic scenes so far. It showed that no matter what, the team at 51 would be there for each other, even if an "asshole" made them separate.

I'm relieved to know that Severide will be staying in Chicago. The writing was good, and so was the directing. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Chicago Fire on a special night, Wednesday, March 1st, at 8/7c for a four-show crossover event on NBC.