Since finding out that Engine 81 would be decommissioned on Chicago Fire, the fight has been on to save Mouch’s job. While the job has been saved, it comes with some disappointing news.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from Chicago Fire season 14 episode 9.
Pascal, Mouch, Herrmann, and Kidd all did what they could to help protect Mouch’s job during Chicago Fire season 14, episode 9. In the end, an article in major publications helped to protect Mouch’s job, but it didn’t quite save the role he wanted. Rather than remaining at Firehouse 51 with Engine 81, he’s being moved to Firehouse 40.
This comes as shocking and disappointing news. Nobody wants to move from Firehouse 51 once they’re there and have found a family, but every season, we see a threat to the firehouse. Other people are jealous of the tight-knit family that they do have, and they end up wanting to be part of that, or they want to tear it down.
It looks like the same is happening all over again, but there could be some good that comes from Mouch being moved out of Firehouse 51, as long as it’s only temporary.
Newer blood can mean newer and more innovative ideas on Chicago Fire
We’ve seen younger blood come into the firehouse and attempt to bring in their own ideas. Some of them have been tested and haven’t worked out, or they’ve been similar to ideas that have been had in the past. However, there are times when the older members of the firehouse shoot down the innovative ideas. They don’t want things to change, and this can lead to a firehouse getting stagnant.
Firehouse 51 hasn’t suffered too much from this, but with Mouch at another firehouse and Herrmann no longer an officer, it’s possible that we could see some change for the better. There will be less naysayers, allowing some of the younger members of the firehouse to test out the waters. Kidd is more likely to give the new ideas a go, considering the initiatives she’s come up with, and Severide doesn’t usually mind as long as the job is done.
We’ve seen how Violet has been able to come up with a program that could help beat burnout for paramedics. Some of the older groups — both at Firehouse 51 and at City Hall — wouldn’t have necessarily thought of it or even been up for it, but Violet proved them all wrong.
Now, I do admit that Mouch is one of the more forward-thinking members of the older generation, and he was one to encourage Violet with her program. He also encouraged Brett with one of hers. But he has also gone against the idea of technology and innovative ideas in the past. It’s hard to tell which side he’ll be on at times.
Younger firefighters will need to think and plan ahead for themselves
There is a benefit to having older firefighters on Chicago Fire. They have the experience to tackle various situations. This is great, but sometimes, it can mean that the younger members don’t quite figure things out for themselves. They can become a little too reliant on their elders at times — and this can lead to their own careers suffering.
With Mouch at a different firehouse, there’s one fewer elder in the firehouse. This means all the younger members will need to think on their feet. They only really have Pascal and Herrmann to turn to — and Severide at a pinch, but he’s not of the same generation as the others — and this could allow firefighters to realize a little more of what they’re capable of.
Of course, this could lead to issues as well, and it’s why I say this arc only works if it’s temporary on Chicago Fire season 14. There is a need for experience, and I think we’ll also get a chance to see just how important that experience is for the younger generations.
Chicago Fire airs on Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.