‘Chicago Fire’ Recap: ‘Inside Man’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

CHICAGO FIRE -- "Inside Man" Episode 12011 -- Pictured: (l-r) John Victor Allen as Jacob, Chuck Carter as Ethan, Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide -- (Photo by: Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 12011 of ‘Chicago Fire’.
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There was a time, where it seemed that certain aspects of our world were off limits to nefarious agents. As though there was an unspoken agreement that they could not impart harm in certain places and could not make use of certain tools to impart that harm. But somewhere along the line that changed, and a free for all came forth. One that has indeed created a mantra of worry and a fear that we aren’t that safe in the world and there is merit to that concern. Since we see sacred places come under fire often, and we hope and pray that a hero will step in and stop such madness before it happens. Sadly of course, we rarely get that, so we turn to television and other stories to find that catharsis.

In fact, a taste of that calm and that sense of justice arrived via last night’s episode of Chicago Fire on NBC. A feat that ‘Inside Man’ accomplished by outright surprising us. Since this particular story opened with concerns about Damon and a quiet night at the firehouse. Wherein everyone was going about their business and settling in for a wonderful night of sleep and hopefully one free from a call. Which is when this story took quite the turn. For while Kelly was cleaning up some tools and going about his business, a terrifying sight fell before him. Wherein three men with weapons came into the station and they were quick to secure the perimeter before opening up the garage door and outright stealing one of the trucks. Wherein Kelly of course, joined them on the ride because no one was going to steal his ride. 

Which brought forth panic and worry in the station. Because now a truck and one of their own were missing and that meant the police had to get involved, and everyone had to figure out what the motive was to steal that kind of a truck and that… most certainly did not deliver catharsis. Since this sequence pitted firefighter against firefighter since Ritter did have to rightfully bring up Damon’s odd behavior. Not to mention, we quietly came to learn this trio was going to use that truck and a stolen ambulance to cause great harm with explosives. Since emergency vehicles, a sacred symbol of safety… could get into places where others could not. But thankfully, catharsis was to come. Since Chicago P.D. was in on the case to help, and their suggestions and Kelly’s quick thinking, allowed for everyone to come together and be heroes.

In fact, Kelly went all out in this story to ensure that evil did not win the day. Since he sabotaged the plans of these men at every turn, even going so far as to fire a weapon to make sure they were slowed down, and when that didn’t do the trick, he made contact with the firehouse, and even found a way to broadcast his location, and he made every effort to stop those men and save the day. Which led to an epic and explosive finale. One where the truck was lost, and gunfire was exchanged, but the bad guys lost, and that was the catharsis we desire. Because these guys were that worst nightmare we worry about. Those folks that cross all the lines in the name of evil, and care not who they hurt in the process. They just want to sow chaos and suffering, and thankfully, these great heroes stood in their way and kept so many safe.

Which brought about, one wild episode when all is said and done. Because this one, really took us on a ride. One filled with unexpected surprises, and thrills and chills. Plus, we still don’t know if Damon is legit or was somehow involved in this mess. But what mattered most, was that this was escapist television at its finest. For it really did pluck at an outstanding concern in our minds and addressed it in the way we need right now. Because it really is quite the joy when we can see the good guys win, and see evil be defeated in a manner that is humiliating through and through, and this was a great way to accomplish that. Since it spoke to the nobility of the characters here, and let them shine, giving rise to a bit of originality as well, and now that evil is off to jail, it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for these firefighters as this fascinating season rolls on. Until next time.

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