Chicago Fire returned for its final episode of 2021, for a slightly more mild, heartwarming episode. It is the holidays, after all!

The show did manage to provide us some updates on the season’s stories. With Stella still out of town working on expanding Girls on Fire, it has been putting a strain on her relationship with Severide. He frequently calls her throughout the episode, trying to get a hold of her, but to no avail. Boden, needing to fill the permanent truck lieutenant job, wants the job to go to Stella. However, she has used all of her furlough, and it has deeply affected her chances of getting the job. This came to a head when Boden decided to hire Pelham as the new truck lieutenant, and let go of Stella.

Gallo, Ritter, and Violet spend the entire episode preparing the debut of their beer from their microbrewery, at a local fair called Winterfest. Ritter created a new IPA that wowed the crowd, and the debut paid off. Tragically, Ritter never wrote down the recipe, and it threw a wrench into the plan. While they prepared for Winterfest, Gallo admits that he doesn’t want to date Kara anymore, and instead wants to be with Violet. Gallo, thinking way too clearly, decided to break up with Kara during Winterfest, revealing that he has feelings for Violet. Kara, obviously not taking it well, gets the firefighters removed from the brewery they were working in.

Sylvie spent the entire episode prepping for her presentation to a board of CFD chiefs to get funding for her ParaMedicine program. Paramedic chief Hawkins, who has been crushing hard on Violet, took advantage to get funding for the program, and impress Violet, but getting patients that were being used for the program to give it rave reviews. The board gave the program full funding, leaving a strong impression on Violet.

It wouldn’t be a Christmas episode without some holiday-themed rescues from our favorite firefighters. Sylvie and Violet rescued a man who got an ornament stuck in his throat. Sylvie performed the Heimlich to get it out.

One rescue in the field was an emotional ride for Mouch. A fallen Christmas tree in Park Plaza left a man, Hugh, who dresses as Santa Claus impaled by a branch. After he was taken to the hospital, it left Mouch wondering what goes on with any of his rescues, because he has become so numb to rescuing them, and moving on to the next rescue. He brought a gift to the hospital, where his wife, Sandra, told him he wanted to attend the Boys and Girls Club’s Christmas party, but won’t be able to go as Santa, even though he will make a full recovery. Mouch took this to the next level, decorated Truck 51, and got toys for the kids and placed Hugh and Sandra all dressed up on the ladder to support the kids. It was a heartwarming way to end the first half of the season.

It wouldn’t be a fall finale without a cliffhanger. After giving up hope on getting in touch with Stella, Severide goes home after a long day to find Stella standing in the living room, waiting for him. What this will mean for this couple’s engagement will be revealed after the holidays when the show returns in January.

With new couples sprouting up in Firehouse 51, leadership changes, and the return of Stella, there’s going to be a lot to look forward to when the show returns.

What did you think of tonight’s fall finale? Leave a comment below!