SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 18.
Chicago Fire Season 14, Episode 18 is interesting because it’s one of those episodes that takes place largely outside of Firehouse 51. For logistical reasons, the NBC series can’t do that often. So “Instinct” immediately is an outlier. The second thing that makes it stand out is that this is another episode missing the majority of the cast. But the script looks at this as an opportunity, and between those two elements, this ends up being a successful experiment.
The bulk of the episode takes place in the basement of an apartment building, as paramedics Violet Mikami and Lizzie Novak are taken hostage by a guy with a fixation on his pregnant neighbor. Apparently Chicago Fire is following Chicago Med‘s template of “trap main characters in basement hostage situation.” But it keeps the suspense level up throughout the hour, and moreso than the Med storyline, since the characters make decisions that genuinely either make the situation better or worse. One example is the paramedics coming up with the idea to drug hostage-taker Ryan, making use of their medical expertise. There’s also Novak’s martial arts skills coming in handy during the final scuffle. On the flip side, there’s an actual scene where Ryan’s landlord storms into the situation—bad for him, since he gets shot, but more plausible than other similar shows where there are just constant excuses as to why the bad guy doesn’t get noticed.
The other reason this works is because Chicago Fire gives the search for Violet and Novak actual meaning, beyond the other characters just looking for them in a panic. It’s an opportunity to further develop Sal Vasquez and it creates a unique team-up between Vasquez and Lucy. Viewers learn a little bit more about Vasquez’s past because the responding police officer is one of his academy classmates, yet it’s not just backstory; the episode also lets Vasquez actually use his investigative skills. It’s refreshing that Chris actively works with Vasquez, and doesn’t dismiss him or his ideas just to create more tension. On another show, Sal would’ve wasted a bunch of time trying to convince the cops to listen to him. Here, there’s a mutual respect.
The same can also be said of Vasquez enlisting Lucy’s help. It’s wonderful to see her having a bigger impact on the main plotline, and actors Brandon Larracuente and Jeanine Mason make a great double act in their scenes together. Hopefully that duo will get utilized again in future episodes. This is the kind of stuff Connie would be proud of.
On the flip side, audiences may be divided on “Instinct” making it particularly clear that there’s a love triangle brewing between Vasquez, Violet and Novak. This isn’t news; Chicago Fire has been hinting at that for a little bit now. And Brandon Larracuente is right when he says in our interview that there’s also an outcome in which Vasquez doesn’t choose either paramedic. But does the show really need a love triangle? This is giving off vibes of when Stella Kidd and Sylvie Brett were both eyeing up “Hazmat Zach” Torbett before Stella briefly dated him—a plotline that filled some space but didn’t add much to the series. The writers have more work to do if they’re going to convince viewers to care about another romantic triangle. Or they could just focus on building up a great friendship, like Violet used to have with Darren Ritter and her ex Blake Gallo before those two were written out of the show.
“Instinct” seems very much like a cost-saving episode, in the same way that Kelly Severide basically had a whole hour to himself in “Firehouse 66.” But it’s busy enough to be interesting, and the four performers at its core all turn in some very good work. Viewers know that Violet and Novak have to be rescued, but they’re excited to see how the characters figure their way through the situation. At the same time, they get to see the other side of Vasquez and the other skills he has to offer, and a little more of Lucy. This might be a smaller episode, but it has some pretty big rewards.
Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC.
Article content is (c)2020-2026 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.
