Warning! Spoilers ahead for Chicago Fire season 13, episode 12, "Relief Cut."
Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd's story significantly moves forward in Chicago Fire season 12, episode 12, "Relief Cut," but I'm having a difficult time being excited about it. Despite being a procedural, the One Chicago franchise separates itself from other Wolf Entertainment franchises by leaning a little more on the personal storylines of its characters. This is most true with Firehouse 51, where its members' narratives tend to be seamlessly integrated into its weekly cases. While everyone has their respective woes, it's safe to say that Chicago Fire's most prominent characters are Taylor Kinney's Severide and Miranda Rae Mayo's Kidd.
Like many Chi-hards, I'm having a difficult time remembering what Chicago Fire was without the couple. Romances are usual in Firehouse 51, with several characters dating a co-worker or two. However, because of the nature of their job, not to mention the show's long-term format, maintaining a happy relationship is tricky. Kidd and Severide have underdone their fair share of crises, with the latest one being in the 2025 One Chicago crossover. After that, however, Chicago Fire season 13 finally decides to move their personal narrative forward, as the pair revisit their stance on starting a family.
Severide & Kidd Decide To Start A Family Through Adoption In Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire Is Ready To Expand The Severide-Kidd Household
The couple has been married since the season 10 finale, but Kidd and Severide's story has been stagnant for a while. I'm mainly chalking it to Kinney's unexpected time-off in the middle of season 11, and the truncated run the following year. Even then, when Severide brought up the idea of starting a family in the Chicago Fire season 12 finale, I was against it. I didn't want a pregnancy storyline that would take her agency. At that time, I even suggested that it was time for Kidd and Severide's marriage to end.
Admittedly, I'm still not happy with the way Chicago Fire didn't fully explore the fallout from Severide's disappearance, but at least, when the idea of having a kid is brought up again, it's coming from Kidd. This alleviates my fears about a dramatic unexpected pregnancy storyline that would drive a wedge between them. I'm convinced that Chicago Fire can keep their story interesting without pitting them against each other. That said, my excitement deflated when Kidd suggested adopting instead of getting pregnant. While still better than a pregnancy twist trope, it's a tired storyline, especially in One Chicago.
Chicago Fire Has Done Several Adoption Storylines In The Past
It's A Tired Trope
Being on the air for more than a decade, I understand that storylines and plots being redone is inevitable. As long as NBC and One Chicago come up with fresh twists, I assume that die-hard viewers will continue to tune-in because they are invested in the characters' journeys. That being said, doing another adoption story for Severide and Kidd at this point is just wildly uninspired. We've seen this plot done so many times, with Matt Casey and Gabby Dawson, and later on with Sylvie Brett. Joe Cruz also underwent the same route when it came to expanding his family.
Beyond Chicago Fire, Chicago PD's Intelligence has also told a similar story with Kim Burgess and Makayla — it did a great job making sure that it was compelling because of the mystery that came with it. At this point, I don't think One Chicago can do another one that is intriguing enough for its viewers. While I appreciate that Chicago Fire season 12 explains why Kidd wants to adopt thanks to the introduction of his cousin, the storyline altogether isn't the narrative I wanted for her and Severide.
Why Kidd Getting Pregnant Is A More Interesting Way For This Chicago Fire Story
It Presents New Storytelling Opportunities For Chicago Fire
Ultimately, Kidd getting pregnant is a more interesting way for her and Severide to start a family. Not because adoption isn't a good way to do it, but purely because of storytelling purposes. Going down this creative route can open new narrative opportunities for Chicago Fire, and for a show that has already been on the air for years, not to mention dipping ratings, it could rejuvenize the procedural.
Understandably, doing this after Kidd blatantly saying that she isn't sure yet if she wants to be pregnant means that it would be a while before they can have a child. However, I would rather wait for a better way to do this than rush it and come up with a plot that isn't satisfying. Given Kidd and Severide's importance to the Chicago Fire, they deserve only good stories moving forward.
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