'Chicago Fire' Season 8 Midseason Finale: Gabby's trip back to the city reignites 'Dawsey' flames
When it was announced that Monica Raymund would return as Gabby Dawson for the midseason finale of Season 8 of 'Chicago Fire', fans erupted — especially long-term "Dawsey" fans who were left very upset when Dawson and Matthew Casey split up and the former left Firehouse 51 to go to Puerto Rico.
Of course, the episode was expected to be heavy on emotions, but no matter how much the fans wanted to see a meaningful "Dawsey" reunion, they would have kept their hopes low, after all, what can we expect to happen with just one episode?
When we first see Gabby Dawson in Episode 9, she is gazing at Brian "Otis" Zvonecek's memorial. Fans would remember Otis and Gabby's friendship, and it is a touching moment as Casey steps out to talk to her, pleasantly surprised at seeing that she is back in town.
Right from the start, the air between Dawson and Casey feels heavy, and we know there are questions left unanswered, feelings left unshared. But before we can get into it, Casey has to go on a call.
Later, we see Dawson regaling the firehouse with stories about Otis and meeting the new recruits. When she tells Gallo that he is working under a good captain, we know there's more to Dawsey that was left to be explored. We also find out that Antonio Dawson is doing really well in the Bahamas.
Dawson tells him that she was forced to come to Chicago by her organization for a fundraising event, and she asks him to go with her. At the event, Casey finds out that Dawson, in fact, insisted on going to Chicago despite the many options offered to her, because she really wanted to see someone.
A few moments later, Dawson and Casey dance and this leads to a kiss, which leads to a night spent together. Though Casey leaves before Dawson wakes up — possibly to avoid the awkwardness — it would seem all ill feelings between the two are gone.
Dawson extends an invitation to Casey to visit Puerto Rico, and it feels like a more fitting end to the Dawsey relationship than the one we got before.
Perhaps with this, Casey can find himself moving on in earnest rather than continue having the meaningless flings we have been seeing him go through over the past year and a half. 'Chicago Fire' will return to NBC for episodes every Wednesday night in January 2020.
