If you’re tuning into Chicago Fire season 13, episode 12, you’re likely to notice a key member of the cast is missing in

action in what is becoming a regular trend for NBC’s long-running firefighter drama. It’s become a running theme

this season for various members of the cast to miss an episode here and there, with their exits often quickly explained via a one-off conversation.

The latest member of the cast to miss an episode is Christian Stolte, whose character Mouch does not appear in “Relief Cut,” marking the second episode this season he has missed. As we learn early in the episode, Mouch is taking some time off in order to stay at home and help take care of Trudy following her near-death experience in the One Chicago crossover event. This update comes quickly via a conversation between Herrmann and Chief Pascal, as we learn that Mouch has taken a few shifts off to be there for Trudy, who is recovering nicely and should be back to work in no time, as should Mouch.

Given how much Trudy and Mouch both went through, it’s not surprising that Mouch would take some time off to be by her side. In the crossover, Mouch nearly lost Trudy, and this was after coming to the realization he had completely forgotten her birthday and blew off a dinner he assumed was to celebrate him instead. Mouch was by Trudy’s side in the hospital as she underwent life-saving treatment, and it’s no shock that he’d want to remain by her side to assist in her recovery. This storyline also made for a perfect way for the writers to sideline Mouch for the week, providing a believable and emotional reason for his temporary absence.

This type of character absence has become a common occurrence in the show, as series regulars no longer appear in every episode. The creative team has had to come up with ways to explain these absences, such as attending classes, taking time off, or going out of town. While it might be frustrating for characters not to appear in every episode, the writers deserve credit for finding unique ways to write characters out as needed. Fortunately, these writing choices usually result in characters missing only one or two episodes, and fans can rest assured that Mouch will be back soon.

The good news is that Mouch’s absence is only temporary, and he should be back in episode 13, which is set to air on February 12. This means that fans won’t have to wait long to see their favorite character back in action, and the show can continue with its usual drama and excitement. Despite the occasional character absence, Chicago Fire remains a compelling and engaging series, and fans can look forward to many more episodes of action, suspense, and emotional storytelling.