The episode begins with Severide unexpectedly running into Andy’s widow, Heather. She appears visibly upset and is initially quite short with him. Sensing something amiss, Severide presses to find out what is bothering her. Heather reveals her deep-seated resentment, stating that Andy would never have become a firefighter if it hadn’t been for Severide’s influence. This revelation weighs heavily on Severide, adding to his already burdened conscience.
Later, back at the firehouse, Severide’s frustration boils over during a training exercise. He yells at Mills for not holding himself properly on the ladder, his anger seemingly disproportionate to the mistake. The tension in the air is palpable, and the rest of the team can sense that something is off with Severide.
Meanwhile, Hermann returns to the firehouse, bringing a moment of joy with him as he presents a clear bill of health. His return is met with cheers and relief from his fellow firefighters, who are glad to have him back in action. Hermann’s positive energy temporarily lifts the spirits of the team, providing a brief respite from the underlying tensions.
The calm is short-lived, however, as the team is soon dispatched to a construction site where a collapse has occurred. The scene at the accident site is chaotic, with debris everywhere and the cries of injured workers filling the air. Amidst the confusion, Severide makes a split-second decision to enter an unstable hole to reach a trapped victim. As he works to free the man, it quickly becomes apparent that the victim’s foot is pinned and will need to be amputated to save his life.
The victim, demonstrating remarkable bravery, tells Severide to perform the amputation himself. In a heart-wrenching moment, the victim asks to use a phone to call his loved ones, understanding the gravity of his situation. Despite Severide’s best efforts, the surgeon arrives on the scene too late, and the man succumbs to his injuries. This tragic outcome weighs heavily on Severide and the rest of the team.
Back at the firehouse, the team is required to participate in a review of the incident that led to Andy’s death. This process is meant to identify mistakes and prevent future tragedies, but it dredges up painful memories for everyone involved. The emotional toll is especially hard on Kelly, who abruptly leaves the presentation to take pain medication provided by Shay, highlighting his ongoing struggle with physical and emotional pain.
In a subplot, Hallie visits Casey and asks if she should attend the upcoming barbecue. Their conversation is charged with unresolved tension, hinting at their complicated relationship. Meanwhile, the team continues to prank Mills, this time convincing him to show up in full uniform, much to his embarrassment. These moments of levity provide brief relief from the overarching somber mood of the episode.
Heather, still grappling with her grief, continues to blame Severide for Andy’s death. Her accusations are a constant reminder of the loss and guilt that Severide feels. Despite this, Severide remains determined to honor Andy’s memory by being the best firefighter he can be.
During the barbecue, Gaby arrives with a date, a doctor, but it’s clear she isn’t very interested in him. Hallie, observing from a distance, notices a subtle connection between Gaby and Casey, adding another layer of complexity to the relationships within the firehouse.
In a pivotal moment, Casey goes to see Hallie and asks if they can give their relationship another chance. After a heartfelt conversation, Hallie agrees, setting the stage for potential reconciliation.
In the final moments of the episode, Severide finds himself face-to-face with the widow of the man who died at the construction site. In a poignant and emotional scene, he shows her the video message her husband recorded before his death. The widow’s reaction is a mix of sorrow and gratitude, and Severide’s gesture serves as a reminder of the humanity and compassion that underpin the work of firefighters, even in the face of tragedy.
Recap enhanced with help of AI
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