'Chicago Fire' Season 9: Will Stella Kidd's attempt to become a lieutenant upset boyfriend Kelly Severide?
One of the longest-lasting relationships on NBC's 'Chicago Fire' is that of Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and firefighter Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). Kidd initially joined Firehouse 51 back in Season 4 and it was clear since they first met that there was a lot of chemistry between the two characters. Eventually, Kidd and Severide grow closer and end up dating.
Their relationship has not always been smooth — there have been a lot of back and forth between them. It was at the end of Season 7 that Severide finally decided to commit and be the man that Kidd deserved and this meant that their relationship went on a bit more smoothly in Season 8.
The eighth season — which ended prematurely earlier this year because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic — saw the Stellaride couple as relatively stable, even when Severide had temporarily moved to the fire investigations office and his colleague there, Lt Wendy Seger (Andy Allo) showed interest in him. For both of them, the eighth season focused on the careers of the two characters and we were especially thrilled to see Kidd's character being explored more.
There was the time when Kidd, with the help of paramedics Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) and Emily Foster (Annie Ilonzeh), tried to open a lounge for female firefighters. It did not work out well but it showed that Kidd was capable of doing much more. Later on, in the season, we saw Kidd start a program for young girls from Chicago's public schools to learn about firefighting and train them with basic skills so that they would know this was an option for them.
This was an excellent storyline and were it not for the pandemic, we would have been able to see it play out. Nevertheless, if Season 8 proved anything, it is that Stella Kidd deserves her time to shine and grow within Firehouse 51.
It would seem that Firehouse 51's Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) would agree. When the upcoming ninth season will come around in November, Boden will ask Kidd to take the lieutenant's exam, according to TV Insider, who spoke to 'Chicago Fire' showrunner Derek Haas. Unfortunately, Kidd's ambition could cause tension between her and Severide as well as other seasoned members of the house.
First, we will address the "other seasoned members" who might have an issue. The people who come to mind are, of course, Lieutenant Christopher Hermann (David Eigenberg) and senior firefighters Randall "Mouch" McHolland (Christian Stolte) and Harold Capp (Randy Flagler). We are not certain if Hermann will be the type to feel emasculated should a younger woman become the same rank as him, so we would be surprised.
Another person who comes to mind is Captain Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer), but in all likelihood, he will be supportive. Kidd is the only female firefighter who is a regular character on 'Chicago Fire', so it is nice that the writers are focusing on her career growth. We will be disappointed with how Severide will respond, however.
At the moment, we don't know why Severide would be upset about Kidd taking the lieutenant exam, but we hope he gets on board soon. It is high time we get a firefighter power couple on the show. 'Chicago Fire' will premiere on NBC on Wednesday, November 11, at 9/8c.