Chicago Fire Season 14 Threatens Herrmann & Mouch’s Friendship
Sarah Little is a Senior Staff Writer who has six years of experience in entertainment journalism under her belt, two and a half of which she has spent working for Screen Rant. She got her start at TV Fanatic back in 2019, writing episodic reviews for shows like Arrow and WandaVision before becoming a full-time writer for Showbiz Cheat Sheet in 2021. Sarah mostly explored topics such as comics and reality TV while working for Cheat Sheet. Now, her focus at Screen Rant is all about network TV, as she writes reviews for The Rookie, debates whether Will and Angie should be endgame in Will Trent (they shouldn’t), and more.
Sarah graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Digital Media Studies and a minor in English.
Changes are coming to Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire season 14, and one of them might be the separation of one of the show’s most iconic duos. What we know for sure, though, is that the NBC procedural drama TV series is saying goodbye to three firefighters in the upcoming episodes. Additionally, Truck 81 will be taking on a new first responder.
Jake Lockett’s Sam Carver and Michael Bradway’s Jack Damon are leaving Chicago Fire ahead of the season 14 premiere. Meanwhile, Daniel Kyri’s Darren Ritter will return at the beginning of the season but is set to exit after an unspecified number of episodes. And Brandon Larracuente’s Sal Vasquez is Firehouse 51’s newest firefighter. However, these aren’t the only big changes awaiting the characters.
Mouch Takes Over As Engine 51’s Lieutenant
During the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, Herrmann took a demotion so that Mouch could assume his role as Engine 51’s lieutenant. It all started when Boden expressed his wish to have Herrmann replace him as Firehouse 51’s chief in season 12. But since he didn’t have the qualifications to do so, Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal stepped in as the fire station’s leader.
Mouch pushed Herrmann to take the captain’s exam at the beginning of Chicago Fire season 13. If he passed, he would be a captain, of course, but he’d also be one step closer to being eligible to be a chief. Since Herrmann (reluctantly) set down this path, Mouch decided he wanted to become a lieutenant. He could then succeed Herrmann on Engine 51.
By the end of Chicago Fire season 13, Mouch passed his lieutenant’s test. However, when it came time for Herrmann to take the chief’s exam, he bowed out. Herrmann realized he didn’t want to be a chief. The desk job life just wasn’t for him. With Herrmann’s decision, though, came a very big problem — Engine 51 can only have one lieutenant.
Since Herrmann chose not to go through with taking the chief’s exam, he would have theoretically stayed on as Engine 51’s leader. But he didn’t want to cheat his best friend out of this opportunity. So, Herrmann informed Mouch that he was stepping down as Engine 51’s lieutenant. Consequently, Mouch would take over his role, and Herrmann would be a regular firefighter again.
Herrmann’s Hesitancy To Hand Control Over To Mouch Could End Their Friendship
Herrmann Seemed Fine With Taking A Demotion In Season 13
In the Chicago Fire season 13 finale, Herrmann seemed happy for Mouch. It was his decision to hand control over to his best friend, after all. Of course, this meant that Herrmann is taking a pay cut along with relinquishing his leadership role. It’s only a matter of time before Herrmann starts to regret his choice or resent Mouch for it.
Unfortunately, it seems as though Herrmann’s regret will start to form in the Chicago Fire season 14 premiere. The synopsis for the upcoming episode says as much. The description of Chicago Fire season 14, episode 1, “Kicking Down Doors,” reads:
“A new face at Firehouse 51 causes tension, while rising chaos in the city brings new challenges to the team. Herrmann stalls on plans of relinquishing his office to Mouch.”
The “new face” is referring to Vasquez, who will butt heads with his lieutenant, Stella Kidd. As for the “rising chaos,” fans must wait until the episode premieres to learn more details. Meanwhile, the teaser reveals that Herrmann will be hesitant to hand over the reins to Mouch in season 14. Perhaps he’s rethinking his decision to step down as Engine 51’s lieutenant.
If Herrmann backs down on his promise to Mouch, or even if he buries his regret and lets Mouch take over, their friendship could be headed for disaster in Chicago Fire season 14. Herrmann’s theoretical decision to continue as a lieutenant would anger Mouch. And if Herrmann doesn’t express his feelings, they could build up and fester until they’re out of control.
Whatever the case, fans should be worried about Herrmann and Mouch’s relationship in Chicago Fire season 14. The lieutenant situation could easily result in a huge fight between the two best friends, leading to a fallout. Based on the premiere’s description, a breakup could happen as early as episode 1.