'Chicago Fire' Season 9: Why is Episode 3 not airing? Here's when the NBC drama returns with new episodes
Given that the new season of 'Chicago Fire' just premiered on Wednesday, November 11, fans may be surprised to learn that the NBC firefighter drama is already going on a break. The fall finales of 'Chicago Fire', 'Chicago PD' and 'Chicago Med' all aired on November 18 — these episodes were also just the second episodes of the new seasons. This meant that we didn't quite get enough time to acquaint ourselves with the new world that the 'Chicago' shows are set in, with all shows having to accurately depict the pandemic and the effects of it.
When 'Chicago Fire' returned, one of the first things we wanted to know was whether paramedic Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) and firefighter Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) will overcome everything that was stopping them, to finally confess their feelings. By the end of the second episode, they did and just as things were getting hot and heavy, Brett had an important question for Casey. If Gabby Dawson (Monica Raymund) were to come back at that instant, who would he choose? We all know that the "Dawsey" relationship was really special — they were together for the best part of seven years, had gotten married, and even planned to adopt their foster child together. Things didn't work out, however, and Dawson left for Puerto Rico.
Casey's hesitation to answer was apparently enough to convince Brett who put an end to a ship that had barely begun sailing. But don't think Casey is letting go that easily. These two have been see-sawing on their feelings for almost two seasons and when 'Chicago Fire' returns, Casey will be doing his best to convince Brett that they should be together.
We also had a new paramedic, Gianna "Mack" Mackey (Adriyan Rae) come into the firehouse. Mack was fresh blood and came to Firehouse 51 with firefighter Joe Cruz's (Joe Minoso). Unfortunately, her first day on the job was pretty hellish — during the first call of her career, she was held at gunpoint, and later, when she and Brett attended another call, they were run off from the road by the same man who threatened them. Brett, Cruz, and the viewers were worried that Mack would leave as soon as she came, but the rookie decided to stick it out and we cannot wait to see how it goes for her. It will be especially fun to watch her and Blake Gallo (Alberto Rosende) flirt while Cruz keeps sending dagger eyes.
Meanwhile, Stella Kidd's (Miranda Rae Mayo) Girls on Fire program is going exceptionally well and Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) is particularly impressed. So much so that he told Kidd he wanted her to take the lieutenant's exam. Her boyfriend Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) — a lieutenant himself — is all for it and promised her all the help she needs.
We have a few things to look forward to when 'Chicago Fire' comes back. Fans could be worried that the repeated breaks due to Covid-19 positive tests might affect the season. However, the current break seems to be as scheduled — last year's fall finale aired around the same time — so there seems to be nothing untoward about the 'Chicago' shows going on break now. The shows will return in the first week of January 2021.
'Chicago Fire' will return with new episodes to NBC on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at 9/8c.