In a surprise twist, Herrmann lays down his bugles for Mouch, who will now take over his role as lieutenant. It’s a beautiful moment between the best friends, and the finale keeps on giving. Carver and Violet kiss and confess their love, even though Jake Lockett (and Daniel Kyri) will not be returning as series regulars for season 14. “It Had To End This Way” concludes with Kidd telling Severide that she’s pregnant and the couple celebrating the good news.

I caught up with showrunner Andrea Newman about Vale’s attempt to kill Franklin, Herrmann giving up his position for Mouch, Violet’s romance with Carver, and Severide and Kidd’s final scene in the Chicago Fire season 13 finale.

Newman Wanted Chicago Fire’s Vale Reveal To Feel Believable

“If you really thought about it, who else would be as obsessed as Pascal about who did this to Monica?”

ScreenRant: Vale is the one who tried to kill Franklin. Did you know that it was going to be him from the get-go, or did you and the writers have other culprits in mind?

Herrmann laid down his bugles for Mouch. What inspired that switch-up in leadership, and what is their new dynamic going to look like going forward?

What Does Jake Lockett’s Exit Mean For Carver’s Romance With Violet?

“We have to figure that out. They have to figure that out. Is it worth the risk to stay?”

Andrea Newman: For Violet and Carver, getting to that point—it was so bubbling under the surface and so much had gone unspoken in this last bunch of episodes, and really for a lot of this season. So there’s something beautiful and fulfilling about them coming together and saying these words, but it’s also dangerous because it speaks to Carver saying, “I don’t know that I can heal. I don’t know that I can get on the road to recovery here in this place where I spiraled to begin with.”

So as much as it’s this wonderful moment, it also brings up more questions than answers. We have to figure that out. They have to figure that out. Is it worth the risk to stay? Does Violet want that for him now? As much as she’s in love with him, doesn’t she want him to go to the place where he thinks he has the best chance of recovery?

So it’s complicated and it’s much messier than the Brett-Casey, which was very simple, which is just location. This is, “Can we pull this off at all, or is this too dangerous? Are we getting too close to the fire, so to speak?” So yeah, that one has to be figured out.

Kidd and Severide are having a baby. Is there anything you can share about the next steps of their journey?

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From Renowned Emmy Award-Winning Executive Producer Dick Wolf

The firehouse is under new leadership with the addition of Chief Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), who has huge shoes to fill after years of guidance under the calming hands of Wallace Boden, who was elevated to Deputy Commissioner. Pascal, who has spent the last decade as Chief in Miami, has a completely different style which may rub some the wrong way. What is clear at the outset are his skills and ability to stay dead calm in the face of crises — and his goal remains consistent in keeping the house running smoothly and his firefighters prepared to overcome all adversity that may come their way.