When Chicago Fire season 13 started, we wondered if a particular character was only going to be around for a season. After all, it looked certain that Herrmann would move up the ranks and take the spot that Boden said was his, so we didn't think we should get attached to Chief Pascal. Then things changed, and now Herrmann has handed over his bugles to make sure that Mouch has the spot that he wants.
What does this mean for Chief Pascal, though? Is he going to be sticking around in Chicago Fire season 14? Showrunner Andrea Newman told TV Insider that that is definitely the case.
Some of the writing was definitely on the wall earlier in the season. While Herrmann moved up the ranks by taking the Captain exam and then working toward the Chief exam, it was clear that he didn’t really want that. As he realized that it would mean more paperwork and sitting behind a desk, he decided that he wanted to be the one running into the fire.
Of course, he also wanted to make sure that Mouch would rise up the ranks and be a Lieutenant somewhere in Firehouse 51. To do that, he talked to Chief Grissom to demote himself back to a regular firefighter. This wasn’t done with any pressure from anyone else, and it makes the most sense considering the direction the show had been taking Herrmann.
So, that means Firehouse 51 still needs a Chief, and Chief Pascal is that man. Newman has made it clear that he’s coming back for another season.
Pascal staying with Firehouse 51 makes a lot of sense as well. He’s realized that he is welcome and that he is part of the family. Newman shared that the turning point for Pascal was at Monica’s funeral when the whole of Firehouse 51 turned up to support him. He said that it was for family only, and Mouch made it clear that that was why they were all there.
"Yeah, I think the key moment for Pascal was in Episode 16 and the funeral for his wife, for Monica, when they all showed up and he said, “Sorry, this funeral is family only,” and Mouch said, “That’s why we’re here, chief.” And to me, that felt like the moment that he understood he was part of this family, and he kind of took it in."
On top of that, Severide has made it clear that he trusts Pascal and wants to support him. He knew, deep down, that Pascal hadn’t attempted to murder the man who hit and killed Monica. Severide just had to prove it, and he eventually did. Never once could he accept that Pascal did it, showing that faith and that commitment, and it allowed Pascal to see that this is a firehouse he can call home.
"I think that — yeah, I mean, we’ll see him in Season 14, for sure."
Of course, there are the questions of budget cuts, and the older members of the fire department are likely to be cut first. Herrmann could now see his job on the line, so could he end up pushing to get his bugles back so that he can take over Pascal’s job, or could Pascal end up being forced into retirement for someone new to take over Firehouse 51?
Chicago Fire is available to stream on Peacock.