'Chicago Fire' Season 8 Episode 19 sees Cruz tying the knot and fans get emotional as Otis is honored
This week's episode of 'Chicago Fire' on NBC was quite special for many reasons. For one, the episode featured a social issue plaguing disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago.
Sylvie Brett and Matthew Casey spent some time getting closer. More importantly, Joe Cruz got married, and of course, nothing important in Cruz's life can happen without remembering Brian "Otis" Zvonecek.
As "Chihards" know, Otis and Cruz were best friends and when Otis died at in the Season 8 premiere episode, while all of Firehouse 51 was left in sorrow, the death hit Cruz especially hard.
Throughout the season, viewers have had many episodes that paid tributes to Otis in one way or another — after all, Otis has been a part of the 'Chicago' family since the franchise began nearly eight years ago.
In this episode, as the firehouse waits for the protest situation to get sorted — unfortunately, it happens on the same day that Cruz's wedding is set to take place. Cruz gets more anxious.
However, what leaves him angry is when one of the protestors starts climbing Otis; memorial — the Sacred Ground that was established in the first episode of the season —- to get a better view. He opens up to Stella Kidd and his pain is palpable to viewers.
In a later altercation with the protestors, Cruz gets hurt — but that doesn't stop him from marrying Chloe. The wedding at the end of the episode left everyone emotional, especially fans who missed Otis.
One fan tweeted, "#ChicagoFire FINALLY SO HAPPY FOR CRUZ HE DESERVES TRUE LOVE & HAPPINESS & I'M GLAD HE'S FINALLY & I KNOW OTIS IS SMILING DOWN HAPPY FOR HIM!!!! CONGRATULATIONS CRUZ & CHLOE #CROTIS."
Another wrote, "Beautiful wedding and beautiful bride!!! WE all know OTIS is there watching! Or crying like I am!! @NBCChicagoFire #ChicagoFire."
A fan tweeted, "And Cruz gets hurt the day before his wedding as that wasn't enough pain for him, already as he wishes Otis was there with him. #ChicagoFire." Another wrote, "When Cruz and his wife have a baby boy, they HAVE to name him Otis. No other option. #ChicagoFire."
Viewers were as upset as Cruz when they learned that Otis' memorial was disrespected. One fan tweeted, "Not Otis' memorial. I wanna punch them.. #ChicagoFire." Another wrote, "Okay protest is one thing but be disrespectful to Otis’ memorial and IM GONNA THROW HANDS #ChicagoFire."
Of course, Otis' importance to the show and to fans was emphasized in this week's episode. One fan tweeted, "Otis lives on forever. #CROTIS lives on forever! BROTHERHOOD! #ChicagoFire." Another wrote, "Can they stop mentioning Otis?? My heart can't take it."
'Chicago Fire' airs on NBC on Wednesday nights at 9/8c. The final episode of the current shortened season will air next week on April 15.
