‘Chicago Fire’ Recap: ‘Under Pressure’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

CHICAGO FIRE -- "Under Pressure" Episode 12012 -- Pictured: (l-r) Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz, Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide, Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami, Joey McIntyre as Lorenzo -- (Photo by: Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 12012 of ‘Chicago Fire’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks for a long-running television show to accomplish, especially a procedural that features a supremely specific setting, is keeping things fresh and original. Because mixing it up and wowing the audience is what keeps them coming back for more and time and again, we’ve seen great shows stumble and fall when it comes to such matters because there does come a point where it seems ideas are thin and there’s not much else the story can do. But one particular franchise/universe has in fact, figured out how to buck that problem. For Dick Wolf’s television shows, have come to understand that offering up diverse stories that borrow from just about every genre is the way to keep shows intriguing and for proof… well then look no further than what Chicago Fire on NBC is doing.

For it is a series that should, by virtue, run out of ideas and steam. After all, it’s a firefighter serial, one set in a firehouse and one would think that there are only so many ideas to play with there. But this series loves to mix it up and take us unique places. Since last week featured a heist story, and a dangerous one at that. Which really did keep things interesting and well, this week’s episode found a way to keep that fresh nature rolling as well. Since ‘Under Pressure’ made use of the rich characters in this story to explore a bevy of concepts that kept our attention. Such as how trauma and fear, can bring about conflict in our personal lives when left unresolved. Since Joe came to learn after a brush with the emergency room, following a rescue, that his problems with Chloe were related to her traumas about the past, and that she was projecting those fears upon Joe. 

An epiphany that prompted confrontation and resolution thankfully, but it was just one of many grand concepts present in this story, bringing forth that engaging diversity in question. For this is a story that also featured, some paramedic drama as well. Since Lennox crossed a line while on that same call where Joe had to go to the hospital, prompting Kelly and Violet to file a report regarding his conduct since Lennox nearly killed a man, and while that investigation took place, Violet also had to help Novak cope with a hard truth she had never faced before in her career. In that, we cannot escape emotional ties to what we do, despite our best efforts to treat it as a job or an everyday routine. Because we’re human and we commit and make it part of ourselves and we have to be ready for that reality, and act accordingly. Which Novak took under advisement, and hopefully, to heart eventually.

All of which brought forth a wildly diverse hour of drama that explored so much about the human condition. Since we enjoyed lessons regarding what it means to be a hero, how dark times stay with us until we confront them and the power of caring over what we love. Which would have been enough to carry this episode, yet… this story still had more to offer. Since we also had a little fun injected into this tale, courtesy of Capp and Tony. Who decided to flex up on Squad 4 with a bet regarding a world record. Which Kelly told them to ignore, until Squad 4 made it personal with Kelly, which put the wager back on the line, and with some good prompting and cheering, this duo managed to pull off pulling a truck quite the distance in under a minute. Giving rise to some bragging rights, and some feel good moments for all of us, and yet… this story STILL had more to offer us.

Because the big shocker regarding the Lennox incident was that… he was let go from his job. Which shocked Kelly and Violet because he was Robinson’s right-hand man. But that was all part of a master plan to seize power by Robinson with DC Barnes preparing to step down, giving rise to an endgame for Kelly, since Lennox let him know what she was up to. Which was the bow on quite the gift of an episode. Because this one, had it all really, just plotlines galore, all of which were fascinating and powerful and moving and just showcased… how diverse this show can be. Because one week, it can be a juicy thriller that puts us on the edge of our seat, and the next, it can be a powerful reflection of the human condition and our struggles, and it can be fun and compelling and offer up some serialized moments. All in one episode no less, and that’s why we love this show, and why it has longevity. Because it always finds new ways to be interesting, and it will be fascinating to see what surprises await us storytelling wise, during next week’s season twelve finale. Until then.

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