Chicago Fire (2012– ) User Reviews

A Great Edition to TV Entertainment....Chicago Fire

[crittiebee · 9/10 · 20 May 2014]

When this show first aired, I was not interested on watching a fire fighting drama. Besides, I've been watching another Wolf Production since 1999 and that was good enough for me. However, when Chicago PD was introduced, I decided to watch it because it came on directly after my favorite show and I love TV drama series. I feel in love with Chicago PD because of the zest and criminal kick-ass and I was hooked.

When Chicago Fire crossed over with Chicago PD recently, I was forced to watch Chicago Fire. Hummm, Chicago Fire very interesting and exciting I thought. I went to HBO On Demand and watched Season 2 of Chicago Fire. Let me tell you, I didn't cook, I didn't answer my phone, I ordered food delivery service and didn't move off of my sofa(only for bbreak) until I watched every episode. I then went to a local retail store and bought Season 1 and the disconnect from the world started all over again. By now you know where my review is going.

Watching Chicago Fire help me to understand Detective Voight, Dawson etc.. and how Chicago PD was piloted. I was upset with me for not watching Chicago Fire initially. Readers, to understand Chicago PD, you have to watch Chicago Fire. I love the intertwining of the shows. It is so damn interesting.

Chicago Fire is a potpourri of diversity, family, loyalty, emotions and laughter. A show that promotes life/death,the response and the danger firefighters face everyday, gives me a deeper respect for my local firefighter and EMT services.

I commend Mr. Wolf for having such great writers and actors/actress, I am humbled. I am aware it's only entertainment. However it's entertainment in a true and realistic form.

One of the Best Shows on TV.

Where is this show going?

[venumstrike · 9/10 · 10 May 2021]

Chicago Fire use to be a great show, up to season 4 or 5. In my opinion the writing has gotten to a point that it's turning into a soap opera. What happened to Severides character? He no longer has his own identity a.k.a Kidd's boyfriend. Please give him something to do, make Taylor act because he is excellent playing Severide when the writers actually do their job for him. Lazy writing, look at the drama with Casey and Brett lame high school foolishness. Do the writer think we are stuck in our teen years? Hahaha. Who is writing this stuff, 14 year old kids. Never mind they diminished all the important pillars to the show, like Cruz, Herrmann, McHolland and focused ALL the attention on the newbies. Way too many personal feeling stories, what happened to the action on this show? Remember when Dawson, Shay and Peter Mills were on this show, it was so much better, the acting and writing combined Please take the focus off of Kidd, Gallo and Ritter's stories which are not really interesting and write better stories for the essential characters, the true foundation of what once made this show great.

Really enjoyed

[sfcat · 8/10 · 13 October 2012]

Wasn't perfect but no pilot is. Really enjoyed the show, we found it exciting, fast paced, without too much exposition or clumsy explaining. Liked what felt like some fairly realistic situations, hope they give the chance.

Loved seeing Eamonn Walker. he was a favorite actor I hope they give him a good chance to shine.

My only concern with an ensemble cast is not getting enough character development and interest to keep the show going at the beginning before it gets to sink in and develop a stable audience.

And really enjoyed seeing something set in somewhere other than New York or Los Angeles!!

Mixed Feelings From A Real-Life Firefighter-EMT

[cdfe3388 · 4 November 2012]

I am a firefighter-EMT on the west coast, and wasn't sure about this show going in.

My first thoughts were, "It can't be any worse than 'Backdraft'," and, "Please God, let this be better than 'Rescue Me'."

It's nice to see a show that doesn't make us all out to be lying, cheating, philandering d-bags the way "Rescue Me" did (although that show could always make me feel better about my own life...). This is not to say its characters are paragons of perfect virtue, but it does at least show them as worthy of the public's trust.

The station environment is semi-realistic. Of course, messing with the Probie/Candidate/New Hire/FNG/Boot is a time-honored tradition and rite of passage that all of us endured when we were new. However, the co-ed locker room is a stretch. Yes, we often share the same barracks with females, but we don't strip down for the shower in full view of the opposite sex. Just doesn't happen. Also, "incidents" like LT Severide sneaking into the gear room for a quickie with ANYBODY would result in serious disciplinary action.

The cast seems mostly believable to me. Eamonn Walker feels exactly like many chiefs I have known. Both LTs seem a bit young to be company officers, especially in a department like Chicago, but stranger things have been known to happen. The crews feel real enough.

The subplot that has LT Severide getting morphine from one of the medics is ridiculous. Every medication on an ALS ambulance is tracked, and the potentially addictive ones like morphine are watched like a hawk. They WOULD get caught, they WOULD get fired, and they WOULD do prison time for that.

As for the incidents, I am disappointed. The "medics" can't even perform basic C-spine immobilization for starters. I almost threw up in my mouth during the pilot episode when Dawson tells the little girl in the back of the wrecked car with head trauma and obvious mechanism of injury to turn her head. Any EMT student can tell you that YOU NEVER EVER DO THAT!!! I understand it's Hollywood, but come on, it's not that hard to show it done the right way. I'm a guy who has crawled inside a lot of mangled cars to pull people out; I know whereof I speak.

Many of the operations performed on incidents in the show are real, or at least close to it. Some people have criticized the "slide down the charged line" stunt. That is actually taught as a way to bail out from an upper-story window if you get trapped upstairs. I'm not so sure about suspending it from the truck's aerial the way they did it in the show. I'm an engine firefighter, and my truckie friends haven't gotten back to me on that one yet. However, I could think of at least two or three better ways to access that collapsed floor section. Some have also criticized the scene with LT Severide visiting the victim's widow to bring her his last words. I have had to comfort more new widows, orphans, and grieving parents than I care to think about, and it has kept me up at night. I don't carry my Iphone around in my turnout coat pocket, but this one is still perfectly plausible.

The third episode featured an overturned SUV teetering on a guardrail above a tunnel entrance with occupants trapped inside. I have experience with this type of incident (mine was on a steep hillside with the vehicle balanced on a rock). The stabilization methods they used on it would not have worked. Stabilization struts support an overturned vehicle, they don't hold it down, and placing cribbing on the guardrail would have done nothing useful that I can see. Then again, at least they sort of C-spined the kid from that wreck.

I'm unimpressed with the fire scenes so far. I've been inside lots of burning buildings. Most of the time, you're snake-crawling on the floor and you can't see your hand in front of your face. Multi-story apartment buildings with open stairwells can be a little different if the fire is on an upper floor, but not if you have fire established in the basement. If you take off your BA mask, you're probably going to die very quickly. If you stand straight up for more than a few seconds, your gear is going to fail and you're going to be in serious trouble. And while they did do most of the Pittsburg drill correctly to pull a downed firefighter out of the basement after the floor collapsed, they kinda forgot to pull out the other two guys who were down there, which is to say they only did part of the real operation. Also, they are way too clean. When you come out of a structure fire, you gear is filthy and so are you. You clean it when you get back to the station. So why do these guys come out looking like their turnouts just got dry-cleaned? I will give them this, they seem to be getting a little better in realism with each episode. I'm going to try to give this show a chance, as I think it's got some potential, though it certainly doesn't live up to "Emergency!", which to this day remains probably the most realistic Hollywood production about firefighters ever made.

If there's one thing I really hate about this show, it's the fact that after every episode I have to calm my fiancée down and convince her all over again that I'm not really cheating death twelve times a day. They do try to overdramatize the job. I get that, as I can attest to the fact that it's a lot more boring in real life (isn't everything?) and nobody would be that interested in a real day on the job, so I'm trying not to hold that against them.

Obviously it is not going to be realistic

[lauren_779 · 10/10 · 19 October 2012]

If you are planning on watching this show and pointing out the inaccuracies, don't watch it. This is a FICTIONAL procedural drama, not a documentary on Fire Fighters and Paramedics. Of course there will be inaccuracies, and things will be rushed to get a story told in 45 minutes. Just like there are inaccuracies in shows such as Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order, CSI...it is all unrealistic...yet that does not stop people from enjoying the show.

On the other side, there are some interesting characters that I would like to see more of their back-stories. This show is not perfect, but it is enjoyable and it has my attention for the hour. As with everything, there is room for improvement, and I can only see it getting better with time, if given the chance.

Producer Dick Wolf's shows are the best!

[tlccar-193-208516 · 10/10 · 16 January 2013]

My wife and I are hooked on this show. We have watched all of the episodes from the beginning and really look forward to seeing it every Wednesday night. The different story lines and plots are enough to keep you interested without being too dramatic. I have read many reviews that say it isn't realistic. It is Hollywood, folks - it can only be as close to real as TV allows. Get over it! I think that some of the rescue scenes are incredible. Hopefully some of the plots that were developing (like the dirty cop plot) are continued as they were great. Give this show a chance - it is like the 70's show Emergency! for 2012. If you like Law & Order then you will like this show too. It has the Dick Wolf touch that makes it a great show. We love it!

My favorite firefighter series

[Maniac-9 · 10/10 · 6 December 2012]

There's tons of cop, lawyer and doctor shows on TV and firefighters are way too under represented in TV series. Actually Chicago Fire and Rescue Me are the only full blown fireman shows that I even know it. Rescue Me was a good show but had too much Gavin family drama in sometimes. And while Chicago Fire may show a little bit of there off duty lives, most of the time the show deals with their on duty lives.

The best part of CF is deals both the Truck and Squad companies in addition to an EMS team. The actors on the show really play the part well too, you could tell they went on plenty of ride alongs and investigated the roles to prepare themselves for the roles appropriately.

I love love love this show!

[tracy-piedmont · 10/10 · 23 November 2012]

OK. I read some of the lesser reviews but I totally disagree. I love this show and after 1 episode I was hooked! And now, seven episodes in, I'm addicted! I know that there are flaws (most medical, trauma, firefighter, cops shows have them), but I love the characters and the way the cast is really coming together. I cannot wait to see what happens next! The plot could be written in so many different ways and I can see the possibilities for this show to run for a long time.

The character development is really good. I love Severide and Casey and am so hoping that NBC is reading these reviews and they renew the show for another year (unlike Trauma). The ratings may not be what they want at this very moment, but please give us of those that love it a chance to continue to do so! It takes a while for word of mouth to spread about a great show, but I'm doing my part to make sure that others tune in. Please keep in mind folks that this is not a reality show. It is for drama entertainment purposes and its wonderful.

Stella out please !!!

[nunofrc · 10/10 · 22 March 2023]

I love this show but please get rid of Stella ,why try to give all credits to her ? Too much super woman too much arrogant and a carácter that thinks that every one should listen too her and all things have to be made as she wants ,and the acting is very poor ,doesn't ad anything to the show at this point

The writers are killing this great show Miss the action with kassey,Kelly,Dawson ,Brett ,etc etc The show now is going to fall down if they don't change this Stella dependency .

They should give more time to the others ,gallo ,Herman ,Cruz ,even Mouch needs more stories It getting boring seeing most of the episodes.

Can't wait for its return!

[irenerose · 10/10 · 15 March 2013]

Good story lines without a lot of sugar-coating or fantasy. We meet characters with depth, from the token firehouse playboy to a lesbian portrayed primarily as a human (that's a TV first). Some good action/effects scenes. Eye candy for everyone. What more can you ask? I truly enjoyed this one. Watched the whole series over a 2 week period while I was sick. I'm waiting with anticipation for it to return.

Love David Eigenberg as Herrmann--so glad to see him back on TV in a series. Doesn't everyone know a guy like Herrmann? Joe Minoso does a great job as Cruz. All in all they're a very interesting and varied group of characters. I like them all.

Never judge a TV show by it's pilot

[spoenkel · 6/10 · 8 November 2012]

We've all seen shows that started with a very exciting pilot suffer a slow boring death. A good show needs more than a good concept at the start, it needs good storytelling, good acting, likable characters and it needs to find a good pace.

The pilot of Chicago Fire was very weak. The story lines felt too familiar (old friends drifted apart through tragedy, secret painkiller addiction, unrequited love etc) and didn't blend together. And, as you can see on this IMDb page, in the next few days a lot reviewers burnt Chicago Fire to the ground.

For some reason I kept on watching. The second episode was a bit better, but by the third episode the show really found it's stride. I've just finished watching the fifth episode and came the conclusion that 1. Chicago Fire somehow ended up to be my favorite new show of the year and 2. All the negative IMDb-reviews are now really unfair.

Which is why I suddenly felt compelled to write a review of my own. I never do this, so bear with me.

Chicago Fire is not a procedural 'fire of the week' show. It actually does the ensemble drama really well. There is nice balance between the characters and I especially like how these characters connect with each other and how the story lines are slowly developed. In a way, it reminds me of The Good Wife, but with more action scenes (which is a great compliment in my world)

The friendship between roommates Leslie Shay (Lauren German) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) is great. Severide plays the tough on the outside, soft on the inside guy, who walks away from his medical problems by secretly taking lots of illegal painkillers. Not very original or interesting, but I've got to admit that my cynic self is really warming up to Kelley. Partly because Kinney plays the part very well, and partly because of his genuine scenes and aforementioned friendship with Shay.

Shay is gay, but that's not an issue on the show, just a part of who she is. As it should be, I applaud the CF writers for the way they portray her. Her scenes with fellow paramedic Dawson (Monica Raymund)are among my favorites.

Dawson also has some cute scenes with new kid on the block Peter Mills (Charlie Barnett), but is too much in love with lieutenant Matthew Casey to notice their chemistry. Sadly for her, Casey is already engaged to another medical professional. This may sound a little soapy or gooey, but actually, Dawson kicks ass. Literally. Which gets her in to trouble sometimes.

Lt. Casey is arguably the real star of the show. He is played by Jesse Spencer, whom I liked in his House MD days, but who really impressed me on Chicago Fire. He plays the classic good guy, but not in a boring way. His intense storyline involving a dirty cop truly propelled the show to greater heights.

I'm not gonna name every character or storyline, but they're all getting better very fast. (Quick shout out to Eamonn Walker who plays the awesome Chief Boden.) The show may be a bit unrealistic, but that's not what I look for in a good drama. I'm a big fan of Breaking Bad and Dexter, both are very entertaining, and excellently written ánd acted shows, but both are also very unrealistic. Chicago Fire may not yet be on their level of awesomeness, but it is getting there. My point just is, I am really glad I gave this show another chance and I hope that you will too.

Fab show =)

[tamsyn-anderson · 10/10 · 3 March 2013]

I love this show!

I had been recording this show but didn't get around to watching it, I never really felt like it as it can take time to get into a new series. However, one day when I was flicking through the channels trying to find something to watch, I came across Chicago Fire episode 10, already 15minutes in and as I watched I became hooked! I couldn't even make myself stop watching it and start from the beginning of the series! I watched episode 10 and then episode 11 the following night and then I went back and watched the series from the beginning.

I love the story lines, and the characters are brilliant. Nobody cares if the show isn't 100% realistic, it's not a documentary! If you want realistic shows then don't watch Drama TV! It's classified 'Drama' for a reason. I can't wait for the next episode and I really hope this show keeps going for more series to come.

Great Rescue repetitive plot

[durablefire · 6/10 · 17 February 2020]

The first seasons are the best, some great fire scenes and unusual rescues with the actors carrying them off with an air of professionalism. Some great characters like Mouch and Cruz. Heartthrob value supplied by Jesse Spencer and Taylor Kinney, with Kinney winning out with an understated broodiness. Later seasons disappoint with much recycling of plots.

Stella Kidd

[fatdogfreddie · 4/10 · 16 March 2023]

So so so sick of Stella. Should rename the show the Stella Kidd show as she is the only one the show is centered around. Lost interest when she became the main character. She is a bossy self centered witch (me being nice) and based on the reviews I am not the only one who feels this way. If you continue with her as the main character this show will lose many viewers and end up getting cancelled thanks to Queen Stella! So you decide to get rid of Severide and keep Stella-what a way to lose viewers. Of course the storyline of these two screwing around and getting married and working together-get real-this only happens in television land-two married firefighters working together-WHAT A JOKE-just like Stell.

Great show but...

[morrisonliz · 17 October 2018]

Binge watching. Halfway through season 4. Must Severide sleep with every new female on the show? How about they try something new...have him decline an advance once in a while. It's getting old and annoying.

Excellent Show

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 8 May 2020]

After watching all the episode of "Chicago P.D." in a one-month marathon, I decided to do the same with "Chicago Fire". Sometimes I used to see ten episodes in only one day like I did previously. The episodes are engaging, and the lovable characters are very well developed both in their professional lives, but also in their private lives. There are at least three great losses, with deaths of Leslie Shay that was one of the best characters; and the funny and silly Brian "Otis" Zvonecek; and Peter Mills leaving Chicago. But the replacements are also great characters, mainly Sylvie Brett, Emily Foster and Blake Gallo. Looking forward to seeing the nineth season soon. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Chicago Fire"

A Truly well crafted show!!!

[ypuskinsan · 9/10 · 28 November 2013]

I started watching this show when this was renewed for season 2 because of it's poor season one rating. Now i know why it was not cancel after season one poor performance. It is because every script of every episodes are well crafted and has brilliant characters(not to mention eye candies for the ladies and gays) and has depth in their history. Despite it's lack of excitement and thrills in the storyline it is humbling for a show to give it's viewer a fresh and realistic drama.

It doesn't focus all of it's story on firefighting actions and the drama develops in accordance to their character's actions which avoid the feel of rushing in the storytelling which usually every network shows has. I admire the writers courage to develop the underlying plot and suspense in a pace which the story deserves rather than focusing too much on pleasing the viewers. This also gives the audience to connect to their fav characters. This is one of those shows in which if it continues for a while (may be longer than 6 seasons) you will be left very fulfilling and satisfying yet sad and feel hollow when the show ends.

Not a cup of tea for everyone but to those who love contemporary drama and has lots of patience, it will be a wondrous treat which more than likely you will ever forget in the future.

Like Greys Anatomy i am sure i will be watching this show over and over again.

Downer Drama now

[Yoola62 · 8/10 · 11 July 2021]

This show started out great. Great action, firehouse banter & pranks, with drama mixed in. By season 4 the writers have taken the drama too far. It's a downer crisis every single episode. Nobody is happy at thus point, about anything. All the personal drama and crossovers and negativity I'm surprised these actors make it through the day. Sad use of great characters. Get the writers away from TV reality news and get this show back to the mix of banter & firefighting.

PLEEEZE tell me Queen Gabby isn't coming back, and sniveling her way back to Casey to boot. Just let brett have casey!! They are 2 of a kind

[broonzrule · 8/10 · 26 October 2018]

I'm glad they finally promoted Hermann and have finally added engine 51 into the picture as I have always wondered why the members of that engine were never in the show. Now, just get rid of that obnoxious dweeb sneaking up, nit picking, all over firehouse 51.

Best since 24 (for me)

[eoinej-538-114803 · 9/10 · 25 November 2012]

Flashpoint showed the way but this delivers! Call it corny, call it contrived, I don't care. Teamwork , loyalty, unadulterated action, sub- plots... you name it -- it's all there.. This is definitely an outstanding North American TV series. (I exclude Sopranos psychology - it does not promise this, and as for The Wire? not even close. The Shield? this was a different league.) I loved 24 but, let me tell you, there's a feel good factor here that 24 could never deliver. I don't care about reality, and I can forgive the PC attempts. However, with these guys, there's still hope for the world. And on a serious note, for me, any positive promotion for fire-fighters is worth the time. Backdraft, Ladder 49, even the UK with London's Burning. For me this does the business. Watch it!...

HELP I think i have chlorine gas in my eyes...

[gimli_theone · 8/10 · 27 June 2022]

Because my eyes are red and hurt from al the crying...

I dont care what those so-called 'critics' are saying about this show, but for me this series has been an emotional rollercoaster. In a good way.

I also don't care that it's fiction, this series (together with its spinoff Chicago PD) gives me a shiver of hope.

Thirdly I honestly couldn't care if this is a lousy review or not. These series became my favorite right because they do something to me.

I just wanted to convey my feelings, and it will do the same with you if you have a little hope for humanity left...

Less personal relationships and more action

[deakinx2 · 7/10 · 18 February 2017]

I have been a fan of Chicago Fire since day one. When it first started, I watched it for the fire and rescue related calls, the action. I find now, it is far less about calls or incidents to which a fire department would respond, and far more about personal relationships and political nonsense. I can get that junk on other shows. Last night I watched what I consider the best episode of Chicago Med produced to date, because it focused on the events of a hospital emergency department the entire episode, not personal relationships.

Thoughts from a Fire/Medic's Wife...this show is for entertainment

[ccbeers · 10/10 · 12 May 2020]

After reading a few reviews, I felt I needed to add a review of my own. Please remember this show is for entertainment purposes!! While they do try to be as realistic as possible, they cannot be exact. Of course in a fire situation you cannot see your own hand in front of your face. However, during filming that wouldn't exactly work because you wouldn't be able to see your actors, actresses, or victim's, and would defeat the purpose entirely. Yes, some situations are made more dramatic for entertainment value. We know already! So please stop complaining about every little detail that isn't realistic. Thank you in advance 😊. My husband a Fire/Medic, and I love to watch the show together...we record it nights he's on shift to watch the next day. I'm an emotional viewer, and he holds me when I cry or laughs when I yell at the TV. We love the crossover events between Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD. We watch all three. Doesn't anyone else wish that Brett and Casey would just get together already? Chicago Fire through all its ups & downs is great action packed show with awesome characters, and interesting story lines that draw you into these peoples lives so that you truly care about them.

Like it cept for Gabby

[jjbarlow-05363 · 7/10 · 1 September 2020]

I got into this as some of the actors I've seen from other shows. I do enjoy the show. But I really can't stand Gabby! It's all about her, she is bossy, rude, disrespectful, does whatever she wants to whoever & whenever & then justifies her actions She ruined it for me The rest of the cast are good

Stella Kidd

[ghall-11550 · 2/10 · 11 March 2022]

Please for the love of God take Stella Kidds character off this show. The actress that plays her part is ruining the show. She is by far the most non acting person I've ever seen. She sucks plain and simple.