Chief Wallace Boden’s emotional farewell in the Chicago Fire season 12 finale wasn’t just a goodbye—it was a turning point. As one of the show’s original anchors, Boden (Eamonn Walker) has been the unwavering force at Firehouse 51 for over a decade. So when he stepped away to become Deputy Commissioner of the entire Chicago Fire Department, fans braced for a leadership shift that seemed destined to fall to one man: Kelly Severide.

But in a surprise twist, it wasn’t Severide who got the keys to Boden’s office. It was Christopher Hermann.

Why? Because in one subtle but revealing moment, Severide said everything without meaning to.

At the start of the finale, Boden sat down with Severide to gauge how he was adjusting to the leadership responsibilities he had temporarily assumed. On paper, Severide had the resume: tactical brilliance, legacy bloodline, and decades of field experience. But when asked directly, he admitted something that stuck with Boden.

He told him that the most unexpected part of leading was how much of it involved counseling—not just command. And without even realizing it, Severide pushed the spotlight toward someone better suited for the emotional weight of the job: Hermann.

Severide praised Hermann’s gift for dealing with the personal struggles that come through Firehouse 51’s doors. From relationship breakdowns to survivor’s guilt and career crossroads, Hermann has always had a way of guiding people without judgment. It was clear in that moment: leadership is more than operational strategy. It’s heart.

Severide’s own recent storyline—his unexplained disappearances, erratic travel for OFI cases, and breakdowns in communication with Kidd—also reinforced the point. While no one questions his heroism or instincts, stability hasn’t exactly been his strong suit lately. Boden saw that, and he made the harder, wiser choice.

Christopher Hermann may not be flashy. He may not be the name fans expected to succeed Boden. But he is the guy who’s held this family together during crisis after crisis. From the barstool at Molly’s to the engine floor, he’s been the emotional backbone of the team.

As Chicago Fire heads into season 13, this choice sets up an exciting dynamic shift. With Hermann stepping into leadership officially, we may see new internal challenges and moral dilemmas, especially if Severide begins to feel overlooked or questions his place.

But the message is clear: Firehouse 51 needs more than courage. It needs compassion. And Hermann delivers both.

Do you think Boden made the right decision—or should Severide have taken the reins?