Chicago Fire season 13 premiere sets up Kelly Severide's relationship with Jack Damon to be a big part of his arc moving forward. After his mysterious transfer to Firehouse 51 as a floater, the Chicago Fire season 12 finale dropped a major plot twist that linked Michael Bradway and Kelly Severide's characters together. It would be an understatement to say that, considering all the One Chicago exits during the 2023-2024 TV cycle, Damon's true identity twist didn't make a huge splash in terms of Chicago Fire season 12's narrative. That said, that's about to change as the character continues to be a part of Firehouse 51 moving forward.
Still reeling from the departure of Chief Boden from Firehouse 51, the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere focused on how Severide and the rest of the team are doing under Dom Pascal — Dermot Mulroney's new Battalion Chief. Suffice it to say, everyone is focused on sizing him up, especially since he doesn't seem to be the most personable. Amid this big arc, however, Chicago Fire season 13 effectively establishes the new rapport between Damon and Severide, as they move forward knowing that they have the same dad — Benny Severide.
Who Benny Severide Is: Actor, Story & What Happened To Him On Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire Season 12 Finale Brought Up Kelly Severide's Dad.
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Long before Kelly made a name for himself in the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), his father already already did. Benny Severide was introduced in the early years of Chicago Fire, with his relationship with his son an integral part of Taylor Kinney's character's personal arc. Benny also worked at Firehouse 51 and was known for his way with women. The pair's relationship started out strained, but Chicago Fire developed it to a point where Kelly had a working dynamic with his dad. Unfortunately, Benny died after he suffered a stroke in Chicago Fire season 7, episode 5.
The late Treat Williams played Benny in Chicago Fire. Overall, he appeared in 16 episodes before One Chicago wrapped up his time in the franchise. Considering how long it has been since he appeared or even referenced, it makes sense why Damon's revelation that he is Benny's son took many by surprise.
How Chicago Fire Had Set Up Damon Being Kelly Severide's Half-Brother
Damon Was Way Too Eager To Have A Relationship With Kelly.
The departure of Gallo at the start of Chicago Fire season 12 left Stella Kidd scrambling for a replacement. She brought in Gibson after a case showcased just how capable of a firefighter he is. Unexpectedly, however. Chicago Fire season 12 wrote out the character without any clear reason. This paved the way for Damon to come in as a floater. From the get-go, he was already very eager to learn about Firehouse 51, particularly Kelly. He even lied about attending one of the classes Stella Kidd's husband taught, but he was eventually caught, making people more suspicious of him.
Despite clearly hiding a secret, Chicago Fire season 12 made it clear that Damon wasn't a bad guy. He wasn't ominous or conniving; he could just be a bit too eager, especially about wanting to get near Kelly. His genuine concern over Kelly's disappearance in Chicago Fire season 12, episode 11 was also a big indication of his innocence. Couple that with Benny's womanizing ways, and the theory about Damon being Kelly's half-brother seemed plausible. In any case, this wasn't the first time that Kelly came across a half-sibling after he was introduced to Katie Nolan.
How Severide & Damon's Relationship Impacts Chicago Fire Season 13
Damon's Firehouse 51 Existence Will Have A Big Impact On Kelly.
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The Chicago Fire season 12 finale ended with Damon's confession about his real identity after he was involved in a brawl that hit too close to home. He reached out to Severide to explain his side, using it as a set-up for his major revelation. Since the twist happened in the final moments of the year, Severide didn't even have the chance to say something about the bombshell that was dropped on him. There was hope that Chicago Fire season 13 would directly deal with the aftermath of their shocking conversation, but that didn't happen because of the time jump.
Interestingly, by the time Chicago Fire season 13 picks up, Severide and Damon have already established a good rapport. It also appears like the rest of Firehouse 51 are aware of their familial connection. Ideally, it would have been better if the show was able to show the immediate fallout of Damon's confession, but that couldn't be done, given the transitions between seasons. That said, while the Severide brothers appear to be in a really good place right now, it doesn't mean that the coast is clear for their future.
There are a couple of storylines that are expected to be impacted by their dynamic, and it has different effects on them. Firstly, being with his brother seems to have cooled down Severide's interest in having kids. The couple still discusses this briefly in the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere, with Kidd maintaining her stance about not being ready for it. While her husband remains interested in the idea, he's not as adamant about it now, and it's safe to say that having Damon around to hang out has something to do with that.
A more concerning effect of Severide and Damon's relationship concerns the arrival of the new Firehouse 51 chief. In the Chicago Fire season 13 premiere, Pascal makes it a point to warn Severide about working with Kidd — an immediate family member. While Boden's replacement allows it now, he also vows to keep an eye on the couple moving forward. While Severide gets away with being on the same shift as his wife now, it's curious what the ramifications are when Pascal finally learns the truth about his relationship with Damon.
