What happened to Joe Cruz? 'Chicago Fire' Season 15 Episode 1 time jump reveals favorite's fate
'Chicago Fire' picked up right where it left off in Season 14. The premiere quickly resolved the finale's cliffhanger. All the firefighters survived the West Pershing fire. However, the situation in the warehouse is still not under control. Cruz (Joe Miñoso) arrives to rescue two people trapped in the building and breaks through a wall. In the process, though, debris falls on him, leaving fans fearing for the fan favorite's survival. The civilians also perish. Fortunately, the premiere does not leave fans wondering about Cruz's fate, and a three-month time jump reveals he is alive, moving around in a wheelchair. However, the accident took a toll on him. An MRI reveals that he has a fractured spine, and the tiny bit of healthy tissue remaining across the site of impact is not enough for him to continue as a firefighter. Herrmann (David Eigenberg) feels guilty, as he was the one who initially volunteered for the rescue.
Dean Archer from 'Chicago Med' makes a cameo when he checks in on Cruz. The entire Firehouse 51 shows up for Cruz and his family. They help prepare his house for his arrival and also his treatment. 'New Blood' reveals that Severide (Taylor Kinney) chose Firehouse 51 and is now serving as a captain. He was blamed for the death of two civilians in the devastating fire, but managed to prove his innocence. Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Severide's conversation reveals that Isaiah is back in Chicago but is not living with them. His mother came with him, and they are now living together. is training a new group of firefighters. This group is eager and feisty, as this assignment will decide whether they work at a house or become a floater. Hence, they are shocked when Kidd reveals they will not be evaluated individually but as a group.
Things between Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) and Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente) are still up in the air, but romantic sparks continue flying. A blast from Violet's past arrives in the form of Jacob, a journalist who is threatening to blow things apart for the crew. Pascal (Dermot Mulroney) also has his swan song. During the fire, Kidd makes his position clear by refusing his orders, citing that he is no longer her chief. The viewers later see him help Severide prove Cruz's innocence in the disaster. Before leaving, he warns Severide that his actions now have consequences for him, but for the entire team. 'Chicago Fire' airs every Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
