‘Chicago Fire’ Recap: ‘All Kinds of Crazy’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

CHICAGO FIRE -- "All Kinds Of Crazy" Episode 13003 -- Pictured: Christian Stolte as Randy “Mouch” McHolland -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 13003 of ‘Chicago Fire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, fans of the hit NBC series, Chicago Fire, have definitely felt a sense of worry regarding the show. Simply because, change has brought forth some real tension at Firehouse 51. To the point where Stella has had her leadership challenged and where it seems Chief Pascal will stop at nothing to transform the firehouse into a unit, he feels best fits his needs. Leaving all of us to wonder if transformation is the direction the show plans to take, or if peace and unity can come to the firehouse, and well… it just so happens that this week’s episode of the show, took the time to answer that question for all of us. Courtesy of some amazing moments in 'All Kinds of Crazy’.

For this particular tale saw Stella make a bold decision in this tale. For she wanted to get Damon off of her rig after learning about his lies and that brought her conflict with Pascal to a head. Because he was concerned about the turnover on her rig, and her leadership, and his doubts only grew when he talked to Damon. Simply because Damon knew he could flip this to his advantage and did so. Wherein Pascal gave some serious thought, to making a lieutenant change inside the firehouse. In fact, he even took a little time to talk with Mouch and discuss him taking the test and being ready to step into the role if change came and well, that prompted Mouch to sniff around and learn what was going on, and he too… made a bold decision.

In that, he went to Pascal’s home one night, to defend Stella. Because he knew her record, knew what kind of leader she was and knew that Pascal was eager to push ahead and go off of his own brief assessments. But Mouch made it clear in very subtle terms, that great leaders, look at the big picture and that if Pascal wanted to truly become the true leader of 51, he needed to do that and look at Stella’s record. Which Pascal did and came to learn that she wasn’t a reckless lieutenant or in decline. So, he made quite the call and sent Damon packing. A move that rattled him and damaged his relationship with Severide. But… it did finally bring unity to the firehouse since it put Pascal and Stella on the same page and that brought us comfort and helped us to appreciate the other storyline in this tale since we were now worry free.

Because in between that long road to understanding and unity, was a scary fire. One that almost cost a tenant above a popular Asian cuisine restaurant their life and it put Ritter’s life in peril as well, courtesy of a massive explosion. And this fire was so bad, and so odd that Severide felt the need to explore its origins himself, and that led him down a very sorrowful path. Wherein he came to learn that this was an inside job. Because the family that owned the place, was at odds over its future, for mother wanted to sell it and father wanted to keep it, and the family’s daughter… wanted everyone to be free of it. Because if it stayed in the family, it was hers to inherit, and she saw the fights it brought forth and opted to be free by burning the place to the ground. 

All of which made, for an incredible episode, one that offered up a sorrowful story about a family shattered over the fate of the family business and at last, peace in the firehouse. The kind that came about the right way courtesy of the most unexpected hero, Mouch. Granted, that’s not to say he isn’t a hero to begin with, but he really did go the extra mile here, when he didn’t have to. Which speaks to how much he cares and how much he wants there to be a constant in the firehouse, and well… now that there is peace once again, we can look ahead toward a new beginning at Firehouse 51. One where this team can move forward and into new chapters, courtesy of Mouch’s decision to remind a leader, how to properly lead. Until next time.

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