Written by John Edward Betancourt CHICAGO FIRE -- "In The Rubble" Episode 13016 -- Pictured: (l-r) Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide, Joe Miñoso as Joe Cruz, Dermot Mulroney as Chief Dom Pascal, Miranda Rae Mayo as Stella Kidd -- (Photo by: Peter Gordon/NBC)
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1316 of’ Chicago Fire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
It is definitely quite joyous, that Hollywood is finally talking about grief, and its power on a regular basis. Because for far too long, society and popular media have shied away from something that we all will experience in some capacity, and we need to know that it is coming and that dealing with it is difficult. Because grief is strong and grief transforms us, and the sooner we know what to expect from it, the better. So, that we can better prepare for the fight back from it and heal in a manner that is healthy and wholesome, free from the regrets of what grief wants to accomplish, and that is why this week’s episode of Chicago Fire on NBC is of note. Since it put that on display and spoke to how best to deal with it, in its early days. But before we dig deep into how ‘In the Rubble’ explored that, we do need to discuss the other important storylines present in this tale. For we saw Damon’s troubles be addressed here. Because he washed out of Firehouse 20, thanks to the mess that took place there and went back into the floater pool. Which prompted Stellaride and Novak to go to bat for him and push hard to get him assigned to 51. For they needed a permanent person on truck and despite some pushback, and some potential romantic conflicts down the line since Novak made a move on Damon… he was finally granted a home at 51. Plus, we also saw Violet try and reconcile her feelings for Carver and her role in his struggles. Because sometimes… that’s just what we must do when we care for someone, and it was powerful to see her process so much in this tale. However, the centerpiece of the story was indeed the power of grief and how we handle its gravity when someone in our lives is going through it, and that was of course… handled through Chief Dom Pascal’s journey here. Who at first, appeared to be handling Monica’s death better than expected. Since he was getting the arrangements for her service hammered out and he returned to work with vigor and focus. But soon, it became clear… that he was still in the throes of grief and that two weeks was not enough time to process such a loss. In fact, we were witness to a downward spiral really. Because after a bold rescue with the squad, Pascal got some sour news regarding the final report on Monica’s passing. In that, there would be no criminal charges for anyone involved and that this was an accident and that… was unacceptable to Dom. Because he wanted justice for Monica and that led to that spiral. For he verbally attacked the man involved in the accident and even scoped out his house, and to make matters worse… he pushed the team to go over the accident. To the point where he made all the officers double check their reports and he even pulled the entire team down to the location where it all happened, to review this in person and that brought about a real breakdown for certain. Yet, no one said or did a thing and that was lesson number one. In that, when someone is hurting like that and the pain is fresh, you let them feel their feels. Because they have to let it ride and experience the ache so that it burns out. For only then will listen to reasons and accept help, and by doing this… Severide was able to talk Dom down from revenge and the team… was able to support him on that tough day. Which made… for one moving story for certain. One that really showcased grief in the raw, and Dermot Mulroney deserves a standing ovation for his work here. Because he sold grief so well. The shock of it, the lingering anger that comes with it and even the raw madness it induces, and that added to the power of this story and undoubtedly brought so many of us to tears. But what matters more, is the powerful advice this episode offered us regarding how we handle it, and how we truly support those that matter to us when they are going through it, and while that made for a lovely episode… it does bring about some questions. In that, will Dom be able to serve as 51’s chief going forward? Because healing from grief is not a quick and pretty process and being there might echo his pain since 51 was supposed to signal his fresh start. Time will tell of course, but for now, we can continue to revel in a powerful story that did an amazing job exploring the power of grief. Until next time. Watch ‘Chicago Fire’
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