There For Each Other: Chicago Fire "The Plunge" "It Wasn't About Hockey"

"The Plunge"

When on a call, an accident occurs that hits close to home for one firefighter, while threats make one paramedic scared. Here's a recap!

When on a call, Herrmann and his crew rush but are followed by a wild driver who causes an accident. The crew stops and rescues what Herrmann learns was a teenager and saves him before the car bursts into flames. Later on, the aftereffects take Herrmann on an emotional spin and take it out on his son by punishing him for a dent in the car that happened two months ago. Soon, Herrmann's wife learns, and even Herrmann confronts his son and apologizes for his actions.

Froster deals with harassment from Shaw after she turns him down again. Soon, she and Brett get a call from Lakeshore about questionable actions from someone.  Foster not only tells Brett about the situation with Shaw but also Boden, and he tries to help but can't change the boss' mind at Lakeshore. After a call, Foster confronts Shaw and is outspoken about what he has down to her that not only the nurses and doctors hear but also the boss. As soon as Foster leaves to meet with Brett, Shaw runs out, and just as he threatens her, the entire Firehouse 51, with Boden speaking to Shaw and telling him to watch his step. He backs off and is gone for good!

Meanwhile, the team prepares to take the polar plunge in Lake Michigan and even tries to use tactics like taking cold showers, etc.  But the morning/afternoon of the event, everyone gets there, including Foster, and all raced to the water. Also, Casey and Severide get their bromance on by hitting the clubs, Kelly-style.

"The Plunge" was a fantastic episode with some great drama moments with Herrmann and thrilling moments with Foster and Brett. That scene when 51 comes to represent Foster was powerful. And I can't leave out a lot of humor from preparing for the polar plunge, but Casey and Severide had me smiling and laughing as it reminds me of the bond between Geroge Clooney and Anthony Edwards on ER. Strong character development with Foster and Herrmann. Even good writing for this episode. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

"It Wasn't About Hockey" 

"It Wasn't About Hockey" was the episode I have been waiting for since Gabby left Chicago Fire. We've seen Casey, Severide, and Dawson have their moment to shine, and this time, as I was hoping for Brett to have her episode to shine, it was a triple duty of women's power with not only Brett but Foster and Kidd. 

As Brett, Foster, and Kidd prepare for a Valentine's Day weekend together at Brett's mother's cabin, things take a turn when Brett and Foster witness a bus accident and must help save not only two teenagers but a farmer, too. There was no signal to call for help and no one for miles; they had to rely on their training and try to keep everyone alive. Soon, Kidd gets there and helps, and later, the hockey coach and player make it back with the police, ambulance, and firefighters. 
Meanwhile, with the girls gone, it's chili night at 51, with everyone battling to make the best chili and win the money pot. As everyone fixes their dish, even Casey and Severide get in on the action, but in the end, it isn't anyone from 51, as Brett and Foster's stand-by paramedics, who won it. Shocking to all. 

"It Wasn't About Hockey" might be one of my favorite episodes of the season. As I said earlier, I've been waiting for this episode since Monica Raymund left the show so we could see Kara Killmer get her time to shine. But it was even better with the teamwork of Killmer, Miranda Rae Mayo, and Annie Ilonzeh. The character development was good, and even the writing was good, with enough action and humor to balance the episode. Overall, I give this episode a 9/10.

You can catch Chicago Fire on Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.