'Chicago Fire' Season 9: Will Sylvie Brett and Matthew Casey be more than friends? Here's what could be in store
There is no doubt that Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) and Gabby Dawson's (Monica Raymund) romance was arguably the best on the 'Chicago' franchise. Theirs was the first 'Chicago' ship viewers supported. Unfortunately, when Raymund exited 'Chicago Fire' in 2018, it also led to an end of the "Dawsey" relationship. The friends became lovers and then they got married. They had even briefly fostered a child and wanted to adopt him, until his birth parents came to take him back, causing much grief for the couple and the viewers.
So when it was revealed that Dawson was going to leave Chicago to go to Puerto Rico to head a relief-and-rescue unit, it shocked us all. In the Season 7 premiere of the show, Gabby left and we also learned that the couple had gotten a divorce. Casey, understandably was quite upset – the love of his life had left and no one (Casey and the viewers included) could picture him with anyone else.
But there was someone else mourning Dawson's absence just like Casey: her best friend and fellow paramedic at Firehouse 51, Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer). After Dawson left, Brett had to work with a new paramedic and though she has gone through many personal troubles as well, Brett and Casey found themselves becoming closer as friends while they comforted each other. In fact, Brett and Casey's friendship moved forward so organically that viewers began to believe that Casey might yet find happiness after all. Thus, "Brettsey" was born.
However, while Season 8 moved us closer to a potential Brettsey couple, it did take its time. As Brett left Chicago (and then came back) and met her birth mother who was pregnant, then lost her birth mother while the latter was giving birth, Casey was always around to support Brett. It was heartwarming to see them being what each other needed, but it was also frustrating because we knew by then that they did have feelings for each other, they just were not being honest with each other about it – then there's the whole awkwardness given that Casey's ex is Brett's best friend.
When Season 8 had to prematurely wrap up because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we wondered whether the planned series finale might have brought something up for the couple. With Season 9 just a few weeks away, that question is still on our minds.
Fortunately, viewers will not have to wait for long to find out what happens with Brett and Casey when the show comes back. According to 'Chicago Fire' showrunner, Derek Haas, Brett – who will get a new paramedic partner as Emily Foster (Annie Ilonzeh) is leaving -- will be getting a new romantic partner as well. Haas, who spoke to TV Insider, said that the first two episodes of the ninth season will reveal whether she and Casey will finally take the next step.
We can picture it already. As Brett mourns her second partner leaving in two years, Casey is once again going to be there to comfort her. And perhaps with the pandemic in the background, the two might realize that they need to be open about their feelings and be brave enough to see what lies ahead for their future.
'Chicago Fire' Season 9 will premiere on NBC on Wednesday, November 11, at 9/8c.