Chicago Fire struck a pretty compelling balance during the episode "Too Close." A lot of the attention went toward Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), and the tragic death of his wife. The second most important developement in the episode, though, was the confirmation that Stellaride are going to be parents.
The couple were told at the episode's onset that they have been approved for adoption. It's a thrilling revelation, but one that Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) have been reluctant to share given Pascal's grim news. Don't worry, though, there will be plenty of time to gush over the Stellaride baby in upcoming episodes.
Stellaride's child will be a season 13 focus
Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman confirmed that all details about Stellaride's child will be revealed in season 13. She was careful not to let any information out during her interview with TV Insider, but she assured readers that it will make for some compelling watching.
"Stellaride baby on the way, and they’re so excited," Newman asserted. "How will it happen? Where will their baby come from, and when? Tune in and find out!" It's been a long journey for Stellaride, but they have done an excellent job of getting their priorities in order and getting on the same page.
This was evident during the season 13 episode "Bar Time." Kidd, who had been reluctant to start a family, was paid a visit by her cousin and ultimately determined that she was ready to take the next step in her personal life. Severide, meanwhile, has been eager to have children, but learned more about his wife from the cousin's visit. The stars aligned, and they decided to adopt.
The couple's priorities will change
The decision to adopt also solves a potential issue that Kidd was going to have to contend with, which is pregnancy. If the character were to carry her baby to term, it would have meant she was out of action for months. Now that she has decided to adopt, however, she will be able to carry on with her career with minimal interruptions.
We've seen adoption storylines play out pretty frequently on Chicago Fire, but this one feels different. Since Kidd and Severide serve as the default protagonists of the show, it stands to reason that their journey as parents, and their child, will get more screentime than, say Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) or even Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer).
We're curious to see how this shift in priorities changes them, and the overall feel of the show. We are definitely enter a new phase at Firehouse 51.
