‘Chicago Fire’ Is About To Make a Big Mistake With This Character’s Exit in Season 14’s Finale

Chicago Fire‘s Season 14 finale ended with a bang. Literally. An explosion caught almost the entirety of Firehouse 51 off-guard: some were engulfed in its fury while trying frantically to scurry back down the ladder, and others were trapped inside the basement of the building, their desperate cries of “Mayday” coming across the radio. It’s events like these that rarely end well for at least one character. The Season 7 finale, in similar circumstances, prompted the death of firefighter Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Yuri Sardarov) in the line of duty at the start of Season 8.

But if so, who? The only sure bets to survive are Violet (Hanako Greensmith), Novak (Jocelyn Hudon), and Chief Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), who could only look on in horror from the sidelines. Both Taylor Kinney and Miranda Rae Mayo have signed on for Season 15, so it seems unlikely that “Stellaride” is done. That leaves every other member of Firehouse 51 as a potential victim, but all the signs point to one character: David Eigenberg’s Christopher Herrmann. And it shouldn’t be.

‘Chicago Fire’s Season 14 Finale “Thank You” Drops Hints About Herrmann’s Fate

The finale, titled “Thank You,” begins in the moments just prior to the explosion before flashing back to the days leading up to it. For Herrmann, it means that the family’s home is about to be reconstructed on the original site after having burned down earlier in the season. In a sense, the Herrmann’s are on the precipice of a new beginning, and to that end, Christopher proposes a renewal of vows with Cindy (Robyn Coffin), his long-time wife. They plan on having the vow renewal at Molly’s with the theme of gratitude, with Cindy, Novak and Violet working out the details. It’s a beautiful moment, but one that later has Herrmann pondering retirement, recognizing the strain that is placed upon Cindy and their kids every time he goes out on a call.

And there it is, a big old moment that might as well be decked out in neon and singing, “I’m an obvious hint! Look at me!” It is, for all intents and purposes, a retirony, the trope that seals the fate of a character in a dangerous job who’s only a few days away from retirement, i.e. Colonel Henry Blake dying on his flight home in M*A*S*H. Furthermore, as the inferno rages, the camera cuts to the unsuspecting wives of three possible victims: Mouch’s (Christian Stolte) wife Trudy (Amy Morton); Cruz’s (Joe Minoso) wife Chloe (Kristen Gutoskie); and Cindy.

The Cruz’s just found out they’re having twins, so that should rule Cruz out, being far too tragic and hard to justify. That leaves Mouch and Herrmann, but with the heavy focus on Herrmann this episode, it leaves him the odds-on-favorite. Finally, “Thank You,” the episode name, could be as simple as acknowledging the “gratitude wall” set up at Molly’s, but could also be interpreted as a “thank you” to Herrmann for his presence in all 14 seasons to date. Cue the Reaper.

Herrmann’s Death Opens Some Interesting Storyline Possibilities for ‘Chicago Fire’, But Doesn’t Mean It Should Happen

If Chicago Fire‘s “Thank You” does spell the end of Herrmann, it opens up some very intriguing storyline possibilities. For Mouch, Herrmann’s death would be particularly devastating, having been long-time partners and friends, and likely would push him to get his book “Brothers-in-Arms” published sooner than later. For Severide, Herrmann’s death could push him down one of two paths. If the fire was started by an arsonist, that may very well push him toward the position with the OFI. Likewise, seeing Herrmann’s family struggle with his death would add a poignancy to Isaiah’s (Hero Hunter) musings about how the OFI would be safer and ensure he comes home every night. Or, if it was “just” a tragic event, Severide could decide to become the chief of 51, unable to stand by and watch his firehouse family fall apart.

The latter, however, has a very 9-1-1 Bobby Nash death feel to it, and it would definitely draw parallels between the two if Herrmann died. Both characters are very much the beating heart of their respective series, and if Nash’s death offers any lessons, it’s this: be prepared. Nash’s death caused ratings for 9-1-1 to plummet, and Herrmann is at least as beloved, arguably even more, as Nash. From that point of view alone, killing off Herrmann is a bad idea, so if they’re going to do it, there’s going to be unavoidable blowback. And so there should be. Herrmann is an engaging, wholly delightful character, and from a purely selfish place, yours truly would hate seeing him written off. There’s absolutely no problem if “Thank You” is chalked up to a really, really close call, one that everybody walks away from safely. Anything else? “Thank You,” but no thanks.