Sexiest TV

There is so much to unpack throughout this whole episode, which I love.

I liked that almost everything that has happened in the last five episodes got mentioned at least once. I love that we seem to be getting more episodes that directly correlate to the previous episode rather than stand-alone episodes. 

Violet told Novak that Vasquez said he tried to tell her how he felt, and I am glad that she was just as confused about that as I was because I don’t feel like he ever tried to tell her properly. Honestly, as much as I do like them as a couple, I enjoy Vasquez being jealous whenever he sees or overhears Novak talking about her dating life.  

I can’t tell if Violet wants to be with Jacob or not. He clearly wants to be with her, but I don’t see those feelings really being reciprocated, although based on how cagey she is being about her mum, it might just be because he is someone from her past. I am interested to see if those two go anywhere, but we have seen her with both Hawkins and Carver, and she doesn’t seem nearly as interested as she was with them.  

The more and more we get to see Burke, the more and more I like him. I am hoping that once their rotation is done, that he will stick around with 51 because he would be a great fit, and two, he needs a family network, and 51 can give him that. Even him shielding the kids from their dad showed how great he is as a person; hopefully, we get to explore his character more. 

I really liked the comic relief that we got from Herrmann and the photographs. I wasn’t too sure where we were going with that storyline, but it was so lovely to have it come full circle and have them all be pictured together as Cruz’s last picture in dress uniform.  

I have so much to say about Cruz’s leaving storyline, but the main thing is that I am so happy this is the ending that we get for him. Not just for Cruz but also for everyone that has watched from the start and gone on the journey from Truck to Squad and single to family man. It has been so wonderful to watch; both Cruz and Joe Miñoso deserved this good of a send-off.  

“Three Hundred” –CHICAGO FIRE. Pictured: Carlos S. Sanchez as Javi, Finn Russell as Otis, Joe Miñoso as Cruz Photo: Peter Gordon/NBC

The first thing I thought when I saw Cruz and Otis was how big Otis was now. It was so amazing to be able to see all of the Cruz family for the last time, including the new twins. It really broke my heart when little Otis said, “Why can’t somebody else’s dad do it?” It also clearly broke Joe’s, forcing him to re-evaluate his priorities. 

Severide and Cruz’s conversation made me so emotional the moment that they were sitting down and talking to each other. Severide’s voice cracking when he said he needed Joe by his side was so gut-wrenching. It also seriously put into perspective that 12 years have passed of these two being friends and having each other’s back on Squad.  

Cruz is going to be a severely missed character, and his absence on Squad and in 51 is going to be immense.  

A wonderfully emotional end to a beloved character that has graced our screens for the last 14 years.