As much as we would love to see all of our favorite characters in every single new episode of Chicago Fire, more often than not, a few characters are missing week to week. Whether these characters are specifically written off for a few episodes, have their absence explained, or are simply away from the firehouse without explanation, it’s not uncommon for characters to miss an episode.
This week, it was Severide’s turn to be sidelined, but we knew going into Chicago Fire season 14 episode 12 that Taylor Kinney wouldn’t be appearing. Unlike the past character absences, which have frequently gone unexplained, the series actually gave us a reason for Severide’s one-week departure, and it’s a very good reason that ties into a recent storyline with Isaiah.
Why wasn’t Severide in Chicago Fire season 14 episode 12?
If you managed to miss the explanation for Severide not being in the episode, it happened quickly near the top. Early in Chicago Fire season 14 episode 12, it’s explained that Severide has taken a trip to Cleveland to visit Isaiah. Severide and Kidd’s foster son previously left Chicago once his mother woke up from her coma and was taken into the care of a family friend in Ohio. We didn’t expect Severide to head to Cleveland this soon, but it’s wonderful that the show isn’t forgetting about Isaiah.
Because Severide is such an integral member of the Firehouse 51 team, he’s basically irreplaceable. But in his absence, one of his team members was able to step up in his place. Cruz became the acting lieutenant of Squad 3, which gave the character a little something extra to explore and aligned with Joe Miñoso’s recent comments about his character’s future role on the team.
Obviously, the episode provided Cruz with an exciting opportunity to step in as acting lieutenant and walk a mile in Severide’s shoes, but it’s always a bummer when we don’t get to see Kinney on our screens. Unfortunately, we didn’t join Severide in Cleveland and didn’t get to watch his reunion with Isaiah this time around. Perhaps on his next trip, maybe even with Kidd, we will tag along. It makes sense why we didn’t, since the series has wrapped up that storyline for now, but it could be reopened.
Even though Severide was absent from the last episode of Chicago Fire before the three-part One Chicago crossover event, don’t worry about him still being away in Cleveland when the show returns. Along with the surprise reveal of Halstead and Upton’s comebacks, the trailer for the crossover also featured a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it clip of Severide back in action.
Don’t miss Severide’s return in Chicago Fire season 14 episode 13 on Wednesday, March 4 at 8/7 on NBC as part of the three-episode One Chicago crossover event.
