'Chicago Fire' season 8: Remembering Brian 'Otis' Zvonecek, one of Firehouse 51's most resilient firefighters
When Season 8 of 'Chicago Fire' premiered with its first episode, viewers soon learned that Brian 'Otis' Zvonecek was a casualty of the big factory fire from the season 7 finale. As the boiler exploded and nearly everyone made it out of the room, Otis was not lucky enough and sustained major burns. Otis's best friend Joe Cruz found him and called for help. At the hospital, while the rest of the firefighters find out that Otis will not make it, Cruz has a heartbreaking moment with Otis before his death. Just before he passes, Otis tells Cruz something in Russian. For fear of the words meaning that Otis is in a lot of pain, Cruz does not seek the translation of the words, yet remembers them, even three months after his passing. When Chief Boden unveils the memorial he has built in Otis's name, he tells Cruz that the words mean "Brother, I will always be with you".
Otis's death is sure to affect the crew of Firehouse 51 in a big way. Besides Cruz, Casey is weighed down by guilt that one of his firefighters passed away in the line of duty on his watch. But it isn't just Casey and Cruz who will be impacted by Otis's passing. Otis was close to nearly everyone in the Firehouse, especially with Hermann, Mouch, and Brett in addition to Cruz. While he considered dating Brett for a while in previous seasons, he soon discovered that they would be better off as friends. Otis was known for playing pranks on the other members, especially on the new people who came to the firehouse. On one such occasion when he tried to prank Gabby, she knew what he was up to since she was part of the crew before.
For those who don't recall why Brian Zvonecek was nicknamed Otis, it was because he was the elevator operating specialist, and Otis is a common brand of elevators. Otis's family were immigrants from Russia and we even meet a cousin of his from Russia in a previous season. His biggest dream was to drive a firetruck which he realized when Cruz joined the squad. Otis is also a co-owner of Molly's - the pub the members of the 'Chicago' franchise frequent, which previously also counted Hermann, Shay, and Gabby as co-owners. With Otis gone, this just leaves Hermann in charge of the firefighters' favorite pub.
In season 6, Otis was hit in the neck by a bullet during a fire and was left paralyzed. But Otis recovers slowly, even coming back to the firehouse limping and using a cane. Gradually, Otis recovers fully and his cane receives "special recognition" by Casey and the others, and was even given a special plaque and display in the firehouse. Otis was often used as comic relief and he was a favorite among the fans of the 'Chicago' franchise, with one fan even saying "Without Otis, there is no House 51 or Chicago Fire". Fans are surely going to miss him and possibly curse Derek Haas over his fate.
Needless to say, Otis and actor Yuri Sardarov will be dearly missed on the show, but the character's impact is sure to stick around for future episodes.
'Chicago Fire' airs on NBC on Wednesdays.