Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Chicago Fire season 13, episode 16, “In the Rubble.”
ThroughoutChicago Fire’s 13-season run, the TV show has featured numerous tragic, unfortunate deaths, and while its most recent passing is quite sad, it also needed to happen.The NBC procedural drama has never shied away from killing off important characters,from Shay to Otis. It has been a long time since a death has significantly affectedChicago Fireand its characters, though, so the series was due for some heartbreak in season 13. While some viewers may have thought they would lose a firefighter or paramedic duringthe 2025One Chicagocrossover, the real tragedy comes four episodes later.
NBC releases new episodes ofChicago Fireseason 13 on Wednesdays at 9 pm ET, followingChicago Medseason 10 and precedingChicago PDseason 12.
KaDee Strickland’sMonica Pascal dies inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 15, “Too Close.” Monica, Chief Dom Pascal’s wife, is in a horrific car accident while on her way to her and her husband’s anniversary dinner. Firehouse 51 responds to the call (without their chief, who is waiting for his wife at the restaurant), and they rush Monica to the hospital. Unfortunately, there’s nothing anyone can do for her, andPascal arrives at Gaffney just in time to hold Monica’s hand when she dies in theChicago Fireepisode.
Pascal Deals With The Fallout Of Monica’s Death In Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 16
Monica Died In A Car Accident
Chicago Fireseason 13, episode 16, “In the Rubble,” opens shortly after Monica’s death, and it’s clear out of the gate that Pascal is (understandably) struggling. He tries to press charges against the man who caused the accident. However, given the nature of the crash, it’s evident to everyone except Pascal that no one is to blame. It was simply an unforeseen tragedy that no one could have prevented.Pascal also acts recklessly at work by putting himself in danger while on a calland forces Firehouse 51 to help him investigate the crash to prove liability on the other driver’s part.
Katelynn Shennett
Kylie Estevez
No one but Severide could get through toPascal inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 16. The lieutenant set his chief straight, making him understand how his actions are not only affecting himself but also the people around him. However, Severide can only do so much because, by the end of “In the Rubble,” it’s obvious thatPascal’s self-destructive, reckless behavior isn’t over.
Monica’s Death Helps Solidify Pascal’s Place In Firehouse 51
Pascal Replacing Boden Has Been Hard To Accept Until Now
Although Monica’sdeath inChicago Fireis beyond heartbreaking, especially while witnessing Pascal deep in his grief, her exit has a purpose. WhenPascal arrived to replace Chief Boden at the beginning of season 13, it was difficult to accept him as the new boss(both for the characters and viewers), given his predecessor’s long-standing importance to the show and to Firehouse 51. Even with Pascal having more than 15 episodes under his belt, his place in the NBC series never felt real until now.
Sam Carver’s Firehouse 51 Replacement Revives Chicago Fire’s Most Interesting Relationship In Years
Sam Carver is on a temporary leave from Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire season 13 on NBC, and his replacement almost makes up for his absence.
This tragedy has helped the firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51 accept Pascal as one of their own. TheChicago Fireseason 13 charactershave embraced him fully, as seen in episode 16 when they try their best to support their chief in the wake of his wife’s death. Perhaps their acceptance of Pascal wouldn’t have happened this quickly or ever if Monica hadn’t died. Now, though,Pascal has solidified his spot in the Firehouse 51 family,whether he likes it or not. Consequently, the characters and fans can finally move on from Boden and understand that Pascal is here to stay.
How Monica’s Tragedy Changes Pascal’s Relationship With Firehouse 51
Dermot Mulroney’s Character Is A Part Of The Family Now
Whereas the firefighters and paramedics accept Pascal as a part of their family afterMonica dies inChicago Fireseason 13, episode 15, the chief now realizes why Firehouse 51 is so special. They are a tight-knit group who love and support one another.The characters consistently show up for each other in their times of need,just like when they attend Monica’s funeral, even when they weren’t invited. Firehouse 51’s bond is like no other, andChicago Fire’s latest tragedy has only brought them closer together.
