[S06.E14: A Red Pill, A Blue Pill]

Almost forgot. The upside to Nataloon leaving means that Crockett will finally be free, and Manstead will never happen again. Yay!!!!

[S08.E14: Safe]

I really don't know what to say about this show anymore. 

Upton is now recklessly breaking the rules, almost like its normal for her. If were going to have her character go down this road, then what was the purpose of Voight sending to NY last season? What exactly did she learn? If you ask me, she's even worse now, emotionally, then she was before Voight sent her to the FBI. At least then, she thought through her actions and was much more calculated in what she did. Now, emotion is driving everything she does. At this point, we might as well consider the FBI assignment a waste of time.

And what if that mother was shot by RJ? And the daughter is traumatized? Or he kills both of them. Then what? You still going to defend her, Jay? Instead, both mother and daughter are deeply traumatized. None of that happens if Haley does things the right way. All of their suffering is on Haley because she's letting her emotions drive her actions. And Jay and Voight both know she has issues, but neither of them seem willing to want to hold her accountable. Besides being an emotional drag on this show, she really is giving off Natalie vibes from Med. Upton feels she can do whatever the hell she wants, and she won't face any consequences, and so far she hasn't. And it's sad to see both Jay and Hank just sit by and allow it to happen. And it's another reason why I miss both Al and Antonio. They were Voight's second in command, and the wouldn't have stood for this crap. And I'm pretty sure if Erin was going down this dark path, like Upton is, and was in a relationship with Jay, Voight would have separated them in a heart beat.

And I haven't forgotten how she blew off a police training class, which would be a big deal for a cop trying to move up, to have dinner and smooch with her partner. Again, not painting female first responders in a good light. 

Also, how many times are these characters going to continue to avoid saying highway names in the city? I've lived in Chicago most of my life, and I've never, nor have I ever heard anyone, refer to an express way by it's interstate number.. It's either the Ryan, the Kennedy, the Stevenson, the Edens, the Eisenhower or the Chicago Skyway.

I wonder where is Trudy with the same words of advice that she gave to Haley when she was with Adam, about how their relationship is affecting their work?

I really hope for the finale that Upton crosses the line one too many times, and gets killed off. 

[S08.E14: Safe]

On 5/14/2021 at 8:31 AM, TM101 said:

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I basically tune out after the first 15 mins of each episode lately. The plots seem very interesting but the show falls off half way through and ends up going all over the place. I don’t know, maybe I am alone on this lol.

You are not only one. If the episode starts off with some Bursek or Upstead relationship crap, I'm already tuning out before they even talk about the case, and I just want the episode to finish as quickly as possible. If the episode is strictly case-related, like the serial killer who got released a few episodes back, or focuses on Atwater, I'm focused in from start to finish, because those types of episodes have become so rare.

On 5/14/2021 at 9:46 AM, Guildford said:

I agree, I think it's multifactorial....

They got rid of patrol so they had to fill the entire episode with the A plot of Intelligence and they pad out the story and it meanders all over the place. When they had the patrol aspect they had two threads going, now it's just one. Some of them are so convoluted I tend to just give up and wait for the last few minutes to see it tied up in a nice neat bow.

It is also due to EId's obsession with writing these tunnel vision episodes were only two characters get the majority of the focus so that creates even more of a vacuum because nothing else is even mentioned, no threads from previous episodes are maintained and it makes for very boring viewing particularly if it's an episode of a character you don't like. There is no relief which doesn't help the overall appearance of the show in general and it's slow and just drags through cases to fill up a lot of dead space.

It needs to go back to each character have one or two 'big' episodes a season & the rest is showcasing the ensemble cast & continuing threads of stories & backgrounds throughout each episode. It's ridiculous that they had Kim take home a kid & then did nothing with it for 7 episodes. And the complete radio silence from Atwater since his episode with Ruzek mid season. What he said 3 or 4 lines this week & stuck 2 pictures on the board.

Oh...and Eid is a shit showrunner.

All of this. Just like the other shows, PD has lost its way. There is no semblance of this being a Dick Wolf show, anymore. One Chicago night is just 3 hours of soap operas, at this point.

[S09.E14: What Comes Next]

Another episode that is just plain laughable.

So boring, so predictable, so cringe-worthy.

Stella passing the LT exam on her first try was as predictable as the sky is blue. First and foremost is the fact that Stella is NOT a lieutenant yet. Yes, she passed the exam, but until an actual Lieutenant position comes open, she, like everyone else who's passed the exam is on a list of names next in line for Lieutenant. And as stated earlier, Hermann is a prime example of this. But of course, the writers will again assumed that us viewers our dumb, and don't remember Hermann's path, and instantly try to push their shining star, Stella-Sue, to a Lieutenant's role. That's why the promo for next week's episode just makes no sense. Talk about Kidd's future, and stating the obvious that there are no spots her and she'll need to go elsewhere. This isn't breaking news. Most of us knew this from the moment Boden sent Stella down the Lieutenant's storyline path.

It must be stated though that the news is that Taylor Kinney has not renewed his contract. That could change, but if it doesn't, I could totally see a version of events where Severide gets killed in the season finale, which ends Stellaride (YAY!!), and everyone at 51 would be honored if Stella takes his vacant lieutenant post. And it could be interesting to see how Stella navigates that when she doesn't have Kelly constantly saying "You got this Stella Kidd." But then again, she has no Squad experience, so it would make no sense for her to lead a Squad team with no experience doing Squad.

And of course, the episode wouldn't be complete without another investigation storyline. They're actually surprised the delivery driver was in the wind? WTH did they expect? They talk to the guy and discuss details of the investigation with him with points to him being at fault, when they have no authority at all to detain him. Because, of course, they are not police. So of course the guy is going to run. And as Dowel Jones mentioned, all that evidence found at the warehouse, and obtained from the delivery guy would be inadmissible in a criminal case. And why is Burgess, of Intelligence, giving two non-law enforcement officers all this pertinent info? And that's on top of the fact that Burgess being involved in this type of case makes no sense, as it further shows that the show runners just want to include a crossover character to showcase the One Chicago universe.

This show just continues to deteriorate each week.

[S09.E14: What Comes Next]

On 5/16/2021 at 9:57 PM, TM101 said:

Oh look! Another episode where Casey and Severide play Detective and save the day!

Super Severide and Super Casey ride again. Now, they've taken the next step. Running undercover stings.

[S06.E14: A Red Pill, A Blue Pill]

This show, just like the others, has just devolved into a joke. All of these doctors and nurses, save for Marcel and Charles, would be fired from any reputable hospital.

I am so glad April, and especially Natalie, will be leaving. They are despicable. Natalie, a doctor, uses a trial drug on her mother, with no supervision and no knowledge of the side affects or how it can interact with another device a patient is using, like an LVAD. That is just plain reckless to essentially make her mother a guinea pig. It should not matter that she's desperate and willing to do anything. And of course, once again, she faces ZERO consequences. What a miracle that the drug that she used on her mom unsupervised is actually helping her heart and will get her off the LVAD. So lucky. And of course, Will covers for her. So how you going to explain the missing pills, Will? What a joke.

And April has the nerve to tattle on Archer. Kind of hypocritical with all she's done. And Steven Weber certainly continues his string of playing unlikable characters with Archer. He plays it up to the hilt. And with Ethan continuing to coddle him, it's not going to be long before Archer kills somebody. Ethan should have just made the ultimatum: You can't work here until you have 2 weeks of therapy.  Otherwise, you're fired.

I really wish Maggie could join the exodus of character's leaving. Here whole storyline was just plain cringeworthy. The constant hovering around her biological daughter made me want to vomit. And as the head nurse, how the hell can she think she's helping by putting her daughter in a position where she violates protocol? That's the kind of stuff that gets med students tossed out.

These storylines are just so mind-numbingly stupid. This is another example of where personal drama storylines are what's driving the medical. For once, I just wish to see an episode where they are all acting like actual doctors doing things by the book, where the drama is created by the patients they deal with. Not romantic relationship stuff. Not a sick parent that justifies breaking the rules. Not a long lost child who might be working there permanent. That would be so refreshing. 

Dick Wolf, how can you let your shows devolve into this?

On 5/14/2021 at 1:13 PM, Quark said:

Thank goodness for Dr Marcel, Dr Charles and Miss Goodwin, who now seems back to normal. 

I don't trust Goodwin at all, considering she's inconsistent on what rules should and shouldn't be followed and never enforces any type of discipline. And then, she herself, coerced doctors to violate HIPAA and then tried to make a mother change her medical decision.

[S09.E15: A White-Knuckle Panic]

13 hours ago, Guildford said:

And watch, next season she'll have a run in with someone far more experienced than her and go running to Severide/Casey/Boden and whine and cry how unfair it all is.

And hence, it will further hammer home the point of portraying female first responders in the wrong type of light. This would be the prime example of letting drama override authenticity. 

[S09.E14: What Comes Next]

22 hours ago, FnkyChkn34 said:

 

I'm not sure though, because all of these investigations aren't really focusing on the characters' relationships...  They just aren't fighting fires anymore, either.  So really Chicago Fire has just become Chicago PD Lite, IMO.  I do need to watch 9-1-1 though, I've heard that it's good.

I wouldn't say everything is relationship focused, but relationship and personal storylines have taken over a huge chunk of the show the last 5-6 years, while the actual firefighting and rescues, which is the show's namesake, has taken a backseat. Instead of trying to delve into the real life, everyday struggles of firefighters, which is something we saw in the first 2 seasons, the show wants to focus more on pushing relationships and romantic tension. And the fire scenes are done in a way to push that drama. Or, they are done in a way that is completely unbelievable and outside of their job description. Like all these investigation episodes.

If Dick Wolf had his Law & Order shows follow this path where the personal and relationship drama dictated the actual police and legal cases, he would not have TV dynasty he has now.

[S08.E14: Safe]

55 minutes ago, NYGirl said:

I'm beginning to hate Upton.  That is all.

Upton is becoming to this show what Abby became to ER. A depressing drag on each episode.

[S08.E13: Trouble Dolls]

Hey Kim, you do remember that you have a sister, right? A sister, who does not have an occupation where she puts her life on the line every day, and who has kids, if I remember correctly. Picking Adam may look nice for the writers who want to continue to hold on the to the Bursek dream, but it makes no sense. Adam has the same life-threatening job that Kim does. Should Kim in the line of duty, and then Adam, then who's going take care of Makayla? Adam's loser dad? Hell, Adam could die before Kim, and then Kim is going to have to go through this whole process again.

[S06.E13: What A Tangled Web We Weave]

Sharon is now proven to be a walking contradiction. Didn't consider Will for the Chief Resident position because of his decision making, but goes on to persuade Charles and Choi to violate HIPAA to give her information on the boy she hit. Can't make this stuff up. And then has the gall to see the mother of the boy she hit, and try to influence her to change her choice of medical treatment for her son. Where's that good decision-making Sharon? That should be a fireable offense.

Natalie is just plain despicable, at this point. She really needs to be knocked down a peg, and the only way to do that is to have her mother die from complications with the trial drug that she was never to have. She is a doctor, and she is having her own mother take a trial drug without proper supervision, that could monitor any adverse effects, and pull the plug if drug poses a potential danger.

Maggie being manipulative again. Chose to have the seminar at the same school where she found her daughter to be attending. And of course, the writers have to delve further into her daughter storyline, so why not have her biological daughter have a two-month rotation at Med. What could possibly go wrong?

[S09.E13: Don't Hang Up]

This, without a doubt, has to be the most boring of the show's 9 seasons.

It was hard just to keep focus trying to get through this episode of Chicago Fire Anatomy. This episode only further cemented why I can't take Stella seriously as a firefighter anymore. We had Gabby-Sue. Now, it's time for Stella-Sue. About to take the lieutenant's exam, and still shows no semblance of self-confidence. Still needs Severide to give her positive reinforcement. What an embarrassment to female first responders. She has to be the one to maybe save an impaled man in a tree. She's lauded for her quick thinking to possibly have given the guy a chance to live. More PDA with her Lt boyfriend on the apparatus floor, in front of colleagues. And then tell's Mouch to forward any calls for her to Severide's office. Wow, so important.  A trapped girl just has to call Firehouse 51 to speak to Stella, when any firefighter could have helped. But it just has to be Stella because her Girls on Fire made such an impact. Every scene with Stella made me want to gag.

Boden and Severide driving around looking for "gang activity" is just funny. Firefighters now know what gang activity is? But should we expect from Super Severide and Super Boden. Sure is a good thing the house didn't receive any calls while those two weren't at their posts. And there is a minor in imminent danger from a gang, but let's not call the police, like the patrol officers who took Goodwin's statement at Med. Let's have two unarmed fireman try to save the day against likely armed gang members. The writing continues to get more and more incredulous.

And Casey says his head injury has fully resolved? May want to check that considering he's saying his head injury was 5 years ago. In real time, that head injury occurred 7 and a half years ago. Based on the show's timeline and the CT scan Casey was looking at, it happened over 9 years ago. Yes, writers, people are paying attention to the fine details, and the lack of continuity is becoming more and more noticeable, to the point where we think you don't care to be accurate. And more tension between Brett and Casey. Sigh.

Nice to see an appearance from Donna. But using another COVID-type storyline on these shows is just plain hollow at this point, when it's not even being represented properly. With the interactions and lack of masks we see on the show, I'm shocked the kids and Donna aren't back in school by now.

I wound up being more intrigued about why a 911 dispatcher was run over and almost killed in 9-1-1, than with anything that was in this episode. That show has surpassed Fire by leaps and bounds.

[S09.E14: What Comes Next]

On 5/10/2021 at 11:12 AM, FnkyChkn34 said:

Oh look, another investigation!

 

On 5/10/2021 at 4:27 PM, dovegrey said:

I legit think the showrunner still wants to be running/writing PD. There doesn’t appear to be much interest in Fire as a non-procedural. 

This is why 9-1-1 has surpassed Chicago Fire, IMO. Every episode keeps your attention, and the stories are much more believable. Fire, along with the other two, has just plain lost it. It seems as soon as the shows decided to focus on shipping characters instead of the actual stories, the show quality has dipped substantially.

[S08.E13: Trouble Dolls]

Based on the promo, I can already tell this episode is going to be a bore, compared to the previous one.

[S09.E13: Don't Hang Up]

Of course, it just has to be Kidd who has the responsibility of saving some one. Only on Chicago Fire Anatomy.

[S06.E12: Some Things Are Worth The Risk]

On 4/30/2021 at 5:46 PM, limecoke said:

So, in Chicago Med world nurses are encouraged to make a diagnosis, right? Or is it only allowed if it’s Saint April? It’s so confusing.

Natalie is awful. Halstead is awful.  They are both really, really awful. 

This is what happens when there is no character growth after 6 seasons.

[S08.E12: Due Process]

Once again, an episode that is case-driven and it's leaps and bounds better than any relationship-driven episode. I was actually invested in the case. Didn't have to suffer through any Upstead or Burzek crap. It was just the case and the politics, and it worked well. And call me crazy, but I actually think Det. Martinez could be a nice fit to the team, as it would add another veteran presence. But then, of course, the writers would mostly likely screw that up by trying to ship her and Voight.

[S06.E12: Some Things Are Worth The Risk]

On 4/23/2021 at 1:29 PM, icemiser69 said:

Yes she is stepping over the line, but I think most people who are desperate to save someone are often willing to step over that line no matter how minimal the chances are for a successful outcome.  A slim chance is better than no chance.  Natalie is willing to do anything and everything to save her mom.  She has gotten away with things before that could have sent her to prison, there is no reason why she wouldn't believe she would get away with what she is doing now.

When emotion gets in the way logic goes out the window. 

Thing is, logic is going out the window in every episode now. Yes, she wants to save her mother, but trying an unproven trial drug with no confirmation that it works, could very well make things worse for her mom. The fact she's gotten away with crap before speaks to how irrational her character is. And since Sharon doesn't dole out any form or discipline or reprimands, Natalie thinks breaking the rules is OK. With this show being in it's sixth season, you expect characters to actually grow, but this show has no character growth at all.

What would be fitting is if the writers actually decided to knock Natalie down a peg and have her find out the hard way that there are steep consequences for breaking rules and protocols. And having her mother die, along with the backlash coming down on Will, would be a severe consequence that she doesn't get away with.

[S09.E12: Natural Born Firefighter]

Finally watched the episode of Chicago Fire Anatomy, and really could not wait for it to end.

The Brett-Casey stuff is cringeworthy, IMO. A huge chunk of the episode spent on their storyline. If the writers really wanted to be true to the essence of the show, I always thought they could have had Casey confide in Severide. He knows a thing or two about avoiding trying to tough out an injury because he didn't want to face the true diagnosis. But alas, the show needs to show more tension between Casey and Brett.

Bringing up Matt's head injury was a waste, as it was only used as a plot device to advance Matt and Sylvie's storyline. This show brings up all these random storylines, and then they pick the on injury that could possibly end Matt's career, and do nothing meaningful with it except to bring Sylvie closer.

Grainger got used up and spit out, (much like Jon Ecker's GF Laura James' character in SWAT). 

And as a poster mentioned earlier, what's with all this focus on Mouch all of a sudden? From playing the bagpipes, to acting like an idiot in training, to now being the one young firefighters look to. I like Mouch, but for him to be featured this much? Meh. The storylines can be, you know, spread around to the other supporting characters. And I do have to ask, how can Ritter see Mouch in action on the calls? With him being on Engine, he can't see how Mouch handles himself in a fire, as he's attached to Herman's team most of the time. Ritter has made previous mentions of seeing Mouch on calls, and it's never made any since how that would be possible.

The felon firefighter storyline was OK, probably the highlight of the episode. Though, again, who does Stella turn to for advice on helping Hermann? Severide. Can she do anything without needing Severide's support. Can she cook breakfast without him? Can she pick her clothes? I really can not take her seriously as a firefighter anymore.

And really, I must say this show has seemingly gotten boring. It's trying to keep a serious tone, but it's drifting closer and closer to what Station 19 is. The show keeps pushing relationship tension and the actual fires (unless it's an investigation) and the actual daily lives of firefighters are an afterthought. Each episode seems to follow a predictable pattern. A close-call fire or accident. Relationship drama. Some comedic relief. A feel good story. More drama and a accident that then relates to that drama for a character. Nothing to keep you on the edge of your toes. Nothing different. I never thought I would ever call a Dick Wolfe show predictable and boring, but here we are.

[S09.E12: Natural Born Firefighter]

On 4/26/2021 at 8:58 PM, dovegrey said:

A big issue I have with Kidd is how the writers have attached her to Severide’s hip. I’ve said it since she did the leadership conference last season, but I wish the writers had put her with Casey or Herrmann for mentorship and had Kidd refuse help from Severide. Her professional ambitions have totally merged with her romantic ambitions, and that’s completely sullied both the character and her promotion storyline. There were a dozen other ways to build her up, other than this soppy "you've got this, Stella Kidd" platitudinal BS. I liked her character in seasons 4 and 5, then she started to slip in season 6, and then most of season 7 was her whining about ~Kelly~. It's never gotten better. (And I can't take Severide seriously; he was too much of a sleazy, up-himself creep for the first 4-5 years of the show.) 

In my opinion, Stella's storyline is an insult to female first responders. Remember, her character was going to actually pass on the Lieutenant's exam (big part of advancing her career) simply because Severide wasn't talking to her to pump her up. In a field that's dominated by men, she was going to throw away a career advancement opportunity because of a man. That is inexplicable and no woman in their right mind would do that. 

She can't think for herself anymore and needs constant reassurance from Kelly for everything. So much for having a strong, independent female character. She's basically become the Dawson of this show now. The only difference is that Dawson, as much as I loathe her, didn't pine for constant reassurance from Casey for everything she did. She made the call herself.

[S08.E11: Signs of Violence]

Just watched this episode.

Ugh!!!

You take out all the personal crap, the actual case was decent.

Upton is becoming to this show what the Abby character became to ER. A depressing drag. She's the most boring character on the show. There is absolutely no chemistry between her and Jay, but the writers just want to keep forcing it. Erin may have had her flaws, but you could actually believe she loved Jay. And they give her all these different personalities. She was once the cop that had no drama. Then she tries to become Voight. Then she gets sent to the FBI to rediscover the right way of doing things. But yet, she was willing to break the rules again.

And of course, who makes the breakthrough about the storage tanks? Upton. Who find the storage tank entrance? Upton. They should have just had her search the property alone if they were going to make it that predictable that she finds the missing girl.

As a previous poster said on another message board, the personal and relationship drama should be the cherry on the episode. Not the actual cake. And more and more that's what keeps happening.

Watching these kinds of episodes makes me really miss Antonio and Al. They were basically Voight's second and third in command. Now, Voight is alone having to keep a high school group in check. And the main storylines only seem to evolve around Ruzek & Burgess and Upton & Halstead. Voight doesn't get any strong storylines anymore. And Atwater is reduced to only getting props for race-related episodes.

On 4/11/2021 at 12:14 PM, AnnA said:

I miss the days of Burgess and Atwater on patrol.   I also loved Burgess and Roman out together.  They've completely eliminated the role of patrol in the show and that's a shame.  Burgess is no longer as likeable as she once was and Atwater just annoys me because I usually have no idea what he's saying.  He mumbles too much.

Eliminating the patrol aspect from the show was a huge mistake. It's the same way I feel about Fire not exploring having another legit Candidate firefighter since Mills.

[S09.E11: A Couple Hundred Degrees]

On 4/18/2021 at 9:13 PM, dovegrey said:

(And, really, the sooner they hook-up, the less soap opera drama there will be, unless they're going to be a repeat of the endless, nonstop, off-and-on Stellaride drama that's devoured the show for five years.)

Should they hook up, I feel it will be more of the same that we currently see with Stellaride, and previously between Dawsey. And with both of these relationships in full swing, the show will simply be a parody of itself, with relationship drama and annoying PDAs every week Stellaride drama one week, then Brettsey stuff the next. Ugh. I shudder to think.

[S06.E11: Letting Go Only To Come Together]

I really can't say I found anything that good about this episode, with the exception of Michael making the right choice to leave the hospital because of the obvious conflict of interest with his mother.

Natalie and Crockett working together, again. Shocking. As someone mentioned earlier, did she switch specialities all of a sudden, because I remember her being a pediatric physician. Just because the two are in a relationship doesn't mean they always need to be working together in every episode. That definitely wasn't the case when she and Will were a couple. And really, after 5-6 episodes together, they love each other? That seems so forced, and Crockett seems so out of character with her. Ugh.

April once again violates protocol. What else is new? But have to admit that is a tough situation to be in, when the patient is coding and there's no time to wait for a doctor. She waits, the patient is dead. But bringing up that she could be fired just rings hollow at this point. At this hospital, nobody gets fired. What April did is not the worst thing that's been done.

And this show really needs to stop doing COVID storylines, considering they've done a piss-poor job at portraying it.

[S06.E11: Letting Go Only To Come Together]

On 4/8/2021 at 10:51 AM, Tallulah7606 said:

Yes! This! 
im so tired of her ‘I’m always right’ attitude and doing things her way regardless of whether she actually knows best or not. I’ve not once seen her take advice from someone else or even allow them to express an opinion without talking over them. 

Couldn't agree more. Since the start of this show, there's been ZERO character growth amongst all these characters. Natalie aways has to be right, even if it means breaking the law. Will doesn't respect the decisions of his patients. Choi constantly judges his patients. 

I would like to see these characters grow like the Randolph Bell character has grown on The Resident. A guy that only cared about his own interests, no matter the cost, to being an advocate for all patients and a guy that can be counted on to do the right thing.

When there is no character growth, the storylines on the show just become stagnant.

[S09.E11: A Couple Hundred Degrees]

Another episode on Chicago Fire Anatomy, another investigation. This time, carried out by Super Sylvie and newly appointed, Super Violet. The writer's are trying too hard. They need to get back to basics. This is a show about the lives of fireman and paramedics at 51. Not about investigations.

And if Sylvie insists on going to the doctor with Matt, to the point of cancelling her plans with her man, then just have it be as a friend supporting another friend. It would be a nice change if there wasn't another storyline where one character almost dying somehow makes a previously unavailable friend realize how much they loved them all of a sudden. That storyline is played out, across multiple shows. Let her still be a friend without needing to be in love with him. And considering they're bringing up Matt's head injury now, after 7 and half years, I doubt it's going to be something that's insignificant.

I will give credit to Severide for taking ownership of his own mess with the inept recruit, instead of having Boden fight his battles.. I can't say I would have entrusted the guy to refill oxygen, considering he doesn't even considering putting on gloves to pick up a hot metal object. At the same time, the dude's father blowing a gasket because Severide cut his son and taking away his training job is clear overstepping. Why would Severide, with no issue at all with the chief and no ulterior motives, cut his son for no good reason? He would have had to have documented the reasons why he needed to cut the kid, which the father could have read over.