The fifth season of Chicago Fire, an American drama television series with executive producer Dick Wolf, and producers Derek Haas, Michael Brandt, and Matt Olmstead, was ordered on November 9, 2015, by NBC. The eighth episode "One Hundred" is the show's 100th episode and served as the fall finale.[1] The season premiered on October 11, 2016 and contained 22 episodes.[2][3] The season concluded on May 16, 2017.
Overview
The show follows the lives of the firefighters and paramedics working at the Chicago Fire Department at the firehouse of Engine 51, Truck 81, Squad 3, Ambulance 61 and Battalion 25.
Dawson and Casey are back together after she has Louie. After spending the night with Severide, Stella finds out that her unstable ex-boyfriend Grant has escaped from psychiatric hold and is after her and Severide. Meanwhile, things take a dramatic turn when Borelli files a grievance against Boden questioning his leadership following his brother's death. Thinking of her future now that she has Louie, Dawson returns to Ambulance 61 following Borelli's suspension. Also, Brett discovers Mouch is writing erotic fiction and agrees to help him out. She also receives some unexpected attention from Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda) following a call.
Following Grant's attack on Stella and Severide, he is charged with attempted murder and placed back in psychiatric hold leading Stella to not press charges which infuriates Severide. Later on, Stella makes a difficult decision. Meanwhile, after a falling out at Molly's, tensions grow worse with Jimmy when Herrmann, Mouch, Otis, and Kidd refuse to work with him because his grief was affecting his attitude and they believed he was not mentally ready. Mouch and Brett continue to pursue writing an erotic book. Also, Casey finds himself in a tough spot after an alderman who had discovered the favor that lead to Dawson fostering Louie and uses it as leverage. Later on, the firehouse responds to an accident and despite orders to stand back, Borelli walks towards the fire and gets burned and severely injured in the fiery flames. He is taken to Chicago Med and it is determined that he can no longer be a firefighter.
This is the final appearance of Steven R. McQueen as Jimmy Borelli.
Casey continues to pursue information into who tipped off the aldermen about Louie, after he learns that DCFS wants to put Louie in another foster home. He seeks help from his consultant Susan Weller, but later finds out she was the one who told the alderman. Meanwhile, Stella helps out a kid with Hepatitis C who stole medication following a call. Severide continues to hang out with local celebrity Travis Brenner (guest star Scott Elrod). Also, Brett continues to pursue Antonio Dawson.
Guest appearances by S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin from Chicago Med, and Carl Weathers as State's Attorney Mark Jefferies from Chicago Justice.
While acting as alderman, Casey investigates a warehouse, which takes a dramatic turn when an acid spill occurs and he does everything in his power to prevent a major disaster. Meanwhile, Dawson and Brett tend to an elderly woman who had a seizure and they deal with a demanding advocate in which hospital to bring her to. Brett and Mouch run into trouble when publishing their erotic novel. Also, Otis and Cruz pull pranks on each other.
Tensions rise when Severide and Casey disagree on whether an apartment fire that killed a woman was accidental or arson murder. Meanwhile, Mouch and Brett get their novel published but it is later shot down when the Chief of department finds out and are forced to choose their novel or their job. Casey continues to suspect the dead woman's husband after learning from her sister that she and her husband fought constantly. Herrmann investigates into who is vandalizing 51 with graffiti. Also, Dawson and Brett respond to a call when a kid fell out of a tree to propose homecoming to his girlfriend.
While on the way to a call, Dawson accidentally hits a pedestrian with the ambulance which leads to the victim's son suing CFD and Dawson. Meanwhile, Casey and Severide continue to investigate the fire from the last call and it is revealed that the husband set it by a remote Internet device. Herrmann considers a promotion to lieutenant and Casey shadows him. Boden considers taking a trip to New York while his stepson is visiting. Also, Brett takes her relationship with Antonio to the next level. Boden recalls his participation in rescue efforts the day after 9/11 and goes to New York after all.
Casey begins to get down on himself following a last call giving CPR to a child, surviving then dying days later. Cruz comes to Severide about Boden's stepson James and suspects abuse. Meanwhile, Dawson and Antonio's parents celebrate their wedding anniversary but later announce that they are divorcing. Herrmann recruits Stella and Otis into sponsoring a tough mudding competition to help promote Molly's. Boden confronts his former wife's new boyfriend—whom he confirmed abused his stepson—and faces department consequences for defending his stepson. Dawson learns Casey kept his grief over the dying boy quiet so as not to disrupt her family's party.
Severide seeks treatment for a neck injury following a call and runs into former firefighter turned medical student Jeff Clarke (guest star Jeff Hephner) who asks him for a bone marrow transplant for another patient. Meanwhile, Dawson and Casey run into a hurdle when trying to adopt Louie permanently and later on they get married. Also, Otis comes up with an idea to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Molly's.
Louis' biological father confronts Casey and Dawson and demands custody of Louie. Casey and Dawson fight for custody. Meanwhile, 51 finds a ping pong table and begin tournaments inside the firehouse. Severide finds out he is a match for a patient for a bone marrow transplant, however things go south and he begins going to his old ways of drinking. Later on, 51 responds to a hit and run accident involving Severide's car with no driver.
This episode begins a crossover with Chicago P.D. which concludes on "Don't Bury This Case". It is included on the Chicago P.D. Season 4 DVD set.
Severide is informed that the bone marrow transplant patient is eligible again, but complications arise when Severide is injured after being thrown out of a window during a call. He is unable to donate because he cannot have an epidural for his donation but, despite the complications, forces the donation anyway. Meanwhile, Louie's father fights for full custody of him but Dawson and Casey try to fight back. But after seeing the amount of support on the father's side, Casey and Dawson were left with no choice but to give up Louie. Also, Mouch and Otis create a video encouraging people to join the CFD.
Following Louie's departure, Dawson's emotions get the better of her at a call involving a woman who did not know was pregnant; the woman's father loses his temper. Casey's attitude is on the edge and he takes it out at 51. Casey makes a last minute decision following a call to save two victims and one goes missing. Meanwhile, Severide is forced to decide whether to stay with Anna or Stella.
Following the last call, 51 is put on high alert when the criminal escapes and returns to kill Casey and target 51. The CPD steps in to find and capture him. Meanwhile, Brett's and Antonio's relationship hits a low when Antonio's ex-wife shows up, which prompts Brett to question if Antonio is ready to be in a relationship. Also, Casey considers giving the engagement ring to Dawson as a present and a friend of Severide's dad comes to 51 and shadows him.
Tensions run high at a call when another house shows up first and Boden makes a life-saving decision that doesn't sit well with another Chief on scene, Anderson, who had just received a promotion. Fearing his reputation had been damaged, Chief Anderson makes things miserable at 51—especially after provoking but being shown up by Boden at a department party. Severide makes a decision whether to leave Chicago and become a Battalion Chief in Springfield—where Anna lives. Also, Dawson tries to find a date for Brett following her break up. Hermann leads a 51 team in an appearance at his sons school.
Chief Anderson has reassigned most of the members to different fire houses, with only Dawson, Casey and Severide left behind. Stella and Brett are reassigned to the house where Stella formerly worked, uncomfortably. Cruz and Capp are re-assigned to the 9-1-1- call center. Boden tries unsuccessfully to appeal the reassignments as Anderson has the power to reassign staff as he sees fit. Severide tries to dig up dirt on Anderson while members try to adjust to their new locations, while he still struggles with a decision to take the Springfield job and his feelings about Anna.
51 responds to an out of control warehouse fire with dozens of victims inside. The team races against time to try and save them all. One of the victims is Alvin Olinsky's (guest star Elias Koteas) daughter Lexi who was found in critical condition. Later on, 51 joins forces with Hank Voight (guest star Jason Beghe) and the police department when they discover that the fire was intentionally set. Also, Severide tries to get in contact with Anna.
This episode begins a crossover with Chicago P.D. and Chicago Justice that continues on "Emotional Proximity" and concludes on "Fake." It is included on the Chicago P.D. Season 4 and Chicago Justice Season 1 DVD sets.
Firehouse 51 is put into a hostage situation when a group of gang members run into 51 to take refuge when dealing with a escalating gang retaliation. One of their members is seriously injured and Stella is forced to tend him because Dawson and Brett are on a call. Severide does everything he can to stay hidden and figure out a plan.
After an accident in which a lump of concrete smashes through the windscreen of a car resulting in a rollover, Dawson pushes for further action, which escalates after the same individual saves occupants of another vehicle on the same day. Casey tries to help one of his constituents who wants a noisy construction site next to his house silenced. Meanwhile, Severide does everything he can to make Anna feel welcome in Chicago.
Casey discovers a new crack house on the way to the firehouse and goes to great lengths to close it down when he discovers a helpless victim is involved. Meanwhile, Severide's father Benny (guest star Treat Williams) returns to Chicago and meets Anna. Also, Dawson and Brett are dealt with a new trainee and Hermann loses his temper when he finds out that his son, Lee Henry was suspended from School after he refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance because he didn't like how the school raised their vending machine prices.
Casey reunites with an old friend who is assigned as a temporary Squad replacement as Severide's truck has broken. While at a call, Casey makes a big decision. Meanwhile, Severide makes strides in figuring out why Anna abruptly left, Dawson and Brett are forced to be retrained as EMT's following an incident. Also, Connie returns to work and the members on truck makes bets to see how long her temporary replacement will last.
With support from Boden, Casey goes out of his way to help one of his fellow firefighters who is taking the blame for the loss of his team. Meanwhile, Severide continues to be by Anna's side when her health continues to deteriorate, at the same time responding to a call of an elderly woman refusing to leave her burned out home. Also, Otis and Cruz look for a roommate for their apartment.
Cruz faces disciplinary action when trying to escort a drunk out of a bar when he discovers that Cruz has a tattoo with the CFD logo. Meanwhile, Casey goes head to head with another Alderman when trying to pass a bill for First Responders. Members of Firehouse 51 help Severide grieve the loss of Anna and Dawson's father makes a visit to the firehouse. Also, Squad 3 welcomes its newest member Jason Kannell (Guest star Kamal Angelo Bolden).
After Cruz receives a 60 day unpaid suspension, tensions grow worse for Mouch and Cruz. Meanwhile, Casey continues to fight for his first responders bill, but faces more setbacks—including his troubled father-in-law's interference—and he makes an important decision about his future. At the same time, he clashes with Dawson as her father continues to stay at their apartment longer than first thought. Herrmann goes the extra mile to make an injured child smile. At the end of the episode, the firefighters find themselves trapped in a warehouse fire. Herrmann desperately tries to save Mouch who's suffering a heart attack in the middle of the blaze, and a trapped Casey takes off the mask and says goodbye to Dawson knowing he will not get out alive. Cruz and Dawson wait outside and break down as the team tries desperately to get out. Special guest appearances: Chicago Cubs players Kris Bryant, David Ross, and Jake Arrieta, and sportscaster Mike Tirico.
Ratings
Viewership and ratings per episode of Chicago Fire season 5
