Chicago Fire Finale Ups Stakes: Pascal Trial & Severide Pregnancy

When Dom Pascal, the charismatic chief of Firehouse 51, was hauled in for police questioning, fans of Chicago Fire knew the season 13 finale would leave more than a few hearts pounding.

That drama unfolded on the season‑13 finale, “It Had to End This Way”Chicago. Aired Wednesday, May 21, 2025, the episode stitched together a courtroom‑ready murder accusation, a desperate jailbreak for truth, and a surprise announcement that could reshape the love life of two of the show’s most beloved characters.

Background: How the firestorm began

Chief Pascal’s turmoil didn’t emerge from thin air. Earlier in the season, a flash‑bang car crash claimed his wife, Rebecca, after a reckless driver, Robert Franklin, slipped through the legal cracks. Pascal’s grief quickly morphed into obsession, and the final episode finally brings that obsession to a head.

Detective Megan Torres (the officer who leans in with a plain‑clothes badge) laid out the case: surveillance footage showed Pascal’s SUV parked outside Franklin’s house on three separate nights. “We’re not saying you pulled the trigger, Chief, but the motive is clear,” Torres warned, adding that a seasoned lawyer would be essential.

Plot developments that rewired Firehouse 51

While the precinct’s shoulders braced for an investigation, Lieutenant Kelly Severide found himself caught between loyalty and the law. Earlier that morning, Elliot Van Meter, the squad’s stern deputy chief, burst into the kitchen and demanded answers.

“If you helped cover for Pascal, you’ll be an accessory after the fact,” Van Meter warned, eyes narrowed. “I’m ready to set you up for a charge if you don’t come clean.”

Severide, however, refused to abandon his chief outright. “Dom’s a good man,” he said, “and I’ve got a witness who might prove it.” That witness was Lieutenant Caitlin Vale, a quiet but sharp officer who had seen Pascal at the scene of a different, unrelated incident. The writers left us hanging, hinting Vale’s testimony could be the key, yet also a legal nightmare.

Prison, deals, and a twisty accusation

In a bold move, Severide visited the high‑security cell where imprisoned firefighter Bishop (real name Brian Miller) was serving time for a busted arson ring. Their conversation was a masterclass in negotiation:

“I was wrong about Dom,” Severide admitted, voice low. “I think Hendricks set us up.”

Severide’s pitch was simple. Help us expose the real mastermind, and we’ll work with the DA to swing a lighter sentence. Bishop, who despises the claustrophobia of prison more than any past grudge, finally cracked, confirming he’d spoken with Hendricks hours after his own arrest. The snippet of information made its way to Detective Torres, who promised a deeper dive into the evidence trail.

Personal lives on the line

Beyond the courtroom drama, the episode slipped in a heartfelt side story. Firefighter Stella Kidd managed to reunite teenager Natalie with her older sister, Julia, after weeks of frantic searching. The reunion meant Kidd and Severide would no longer need to pursue formal adoption—a plot point that had fans debating the duo’s future for months.

Meanwhile, a bombshell dropped in the closing minutes: Kidd and Severide were expecting a baby. The camera lingered on their shocked, smiling faces, and a soft musical cue underscored the moment.

“Looks like we have a new little firefighter on the way,” Severide whispered, eyes misting.

This announcement instantly became the season’s top‑trending topic, promising a fresh narrative thread for the upcoming season.

Other story beats worth noting

• Violet Mikami received a life‑changing phone call from Sam Carver, though the exact news remains under wraps.
• Christopher Herrmann continued his climb up the chain of command, still lobbying for the chief’s badge.
• Police executed a search warrant at Pascal’s Chicago home, rattling the firehouse’s morale and setting a ticking clock for the next season.

What’s next: Season 14 outlook

Network giant NBC has confirmed the series will return on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 9/8c. Episodes will drop the following day on Peacock. The press release describes the finale as an “emotional rollercoaster,” a fitting tagline for a show that has constantly teetered between high‑octane rescues and personal drama.

Analysts predict three dominant story arcs for the new season:

1. Legal fallout – Pascal’s case will likely dominate early episodes, with potential courtroom scenes and a possible betrayal from within the department.
2. The Severide‑Kidd pregnancy – Expect a blend of comedic missteps (baby‑proofing a firehouse) and heartfelt moments as the couple prepares for parenthood.
3. “The Hendricks conspiracy” – The mysterious figure who may have framed Pascal could become a season‑long antagonist, pulling strings behind the scenes.

Fans should also keep an eye on the evolving dynamic between Van Meter and Severide, as that tension may erupt into a full‑blown power struggle.

Why the finale matters for viewers

Beyond the shock factor, the episode forces the audience to ask uncomfortable questions about loyalty, justice, and how far a leader will go to protect his own. It also shows the writers’ willingness to gamble on major character development—nothing short of a pregnancy announcement for a long‑running duo.

In short, the finale does two things: it ties up enough loose ends to feel satisfying, but it also unscrews the bolts on the next season’s engine, promising a blend of courtroom drama, family growth, and the classic high‑stakes rescues that have kept “Chicago Fire” on the air for over a decade.