Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Chicago Fire’ Season 13 on NBC/Peacock, Where Dermot Mulroney Joins The Dick Wolf-Produced Hit Series

As Chicago Fire returns for its 13th season anchoring NBC’s One Chicago lineup – Chicago PD and Chicago Med also return with new episodes – the firehouse-based procedural is also dealing with its biggest cast shakeup from season 12. With his character’s promotion, Eamonn Walker will no longer be a sturdy everyday presence. But that also means there’s a new chief in town, and the always reliable Dermot Mulroney has punched in for his first shift at Firehouse 51. Chicago Fire, created by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt with Dick Wolf as executive producer, also features Taylor Kinney, Miranda Rae Mayo, David Eigenberg, Hanako Greensmith, and in a season 13 promotion to everyday player, Jocelyn Hudon.  

CHICAGO FIRE – SEASON 13: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT? 

Opening Shot: As Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) closes his locker at the firehouse, Dom Pascal (Mulroney) arrives for his first day as the station’s new battalion chief.

The Gist: The looks on the faces of firefighters Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) and Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) and Lieutenant Stella Kidd (Mayo) are a mix of wariness and “Who is this guy?” as Pascal arrives. Wallace Boden (Walker) was a towering presence in all of their lives, professionally and personally, and Pascal is coming into an insular or at least well-seasoned firehouse culture. But the new chief does not hesitate to announce his own ground rules.

Like no phones during meals, for example. (“If you find out something new about each other, I’m happy.”) Or detailed after-action reports from his lieutenants Kidd, Seviride (Kenny) and Herrmann (Eigenberg) that feel more like interrogations. But still, Pascal does prove himself immediately in the field. At the site of a dangerous chemical fire with all kinds of shrapnel popping off, he establishes a defensive perimeter, deploys his people judiciously, and takes no notice of the flames as he personally drags a wounded citizen to safety. “I think he’s missing the fear gene,” remarks paramedic Lyla “Lizzie” Novak (Hudon) to her partner, Paramedic In Charge Violet Mikami (Greensmith).

There are other personal matters in play. Now that firefighter Jack Damon (Michael Bradway) has been revealed as his half-brother, Kelly Severide is leaning into the idea of mentorship. The newly-married Severide and Kidd discuss whether they want kids, while Pascal observes that it’s an official no-no for spouses to even be working the same shift. And though Mikami apologizes to firefighter Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) about scuttling their burgeoning romance, Carver seems preoccupied with a new woman in his life. There’s a lot going on at Firehouse 51. But when that alarm tone sounds – and it always does – it’s time to drop it and suit up. “Cutters and jaws!”

What Shows Will It Remind You Of? 9-1-1 premiered its eighth season and second at ABC last month, while its spinoff 9-1-1: Lone Star drops its fifth and final season at Fox. And the One Chicago universe loves a good crossover, so it pays to keep tabs on what’s happening over on Chicago Med and Chicago PD. 

Our Take: The chief’s seat. It’s everything in this place, dictating how the firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51 perform, how they conduct themselves at the station, and even their individual schedules. (“I want everyone arriving a half-hour early from here on out, I’ve got an equipment check that takes some getting used to.”) Put another way, the impression Dermot Mulroney makes in Season 13 of Chicago Fire is immediate. But so is Chief Dom Pascal’s new presence in the lives of his staff. “I wanna make sure there are no hard feelings that I’m in it,” Pascal tells Christopher Herrmann by way of introduction, because Pascal knows it was Herrmann who had – actually still has; it’s complicated – designs on the chair himself.

With Mulroney’s arrival, Chicago Fire is definitely shaking things up in a refreshing way. But being a veteran series will also develop a lot of chemistry with the entire cast, and Fire continues to have that locked up. For as much as these people are forever pulling their counterparts aside to ask “Are you OK?” about their relationships, this is also a series that enjoys action in the field. Lights and sirens and responding to uncertain danger at life-or-death calls – Chicago Fire is at its best when all of its gear is in motion, and it focuses in on its characters working as a team in their professional capacities. 

Sex and Skin: Nothing in the first episode.

Parting Shot: With the firehouse already taking sides over their new chief’s management style, what we learn about Dom Pascal’s personal life in the final moments of episode 1 makes his presence even more intriguing. 

Sleeper Star: In the series regulars column, Maranda Rae Mayo continues her fine work in Chicago Fire season 13 as Lieutenant Stella Kidd. But for sleeper stars, let’s look to the people who know the new battalion chief best, because Dom Pascal is already sort of an enigma. Like his wife Monica (KaDee Strickland), or CFD lieutenant Stephen Vale (Phil Donlon). Their brief appearances early on let us know there’s a bigger story behind the arrival of the new chief.   

Most Pilot-y Line: And that chief’s got plans! “I have the utmost respect for Deputy Commissioner Wallace Boden,” Pascal explains to the house on his first day, “and it’s truly an honor to be here in his former seat. But I’m not Chief Boden. I’m not tryin’ to be. I have my own leadership style. I do things my own way. So you should all expect there’ll be some changes at Firehouse 51.” 

Our Call: STREAM IT! As it turns its hoses on for Season 13, Chicago Fire is disrupting the solid dynamic inside the firehouse in a bold way. With the departure of a fan favorite, there’s a new spot for drama, and it happens to be the chair behind the chief’s desk. The Dermot Mulroney era of Chicago Fire begins. 

Johnny Loftus (@glennganges) is an independent writer and editor living at large in Chicagoland. His work has appeared in The Village Voice, All Music Guide, Pitchfork Media, and Nicki Swift.