Warning: SPOILERS for Chicago Fire season 13, episode 22, "It Had to End This Way."
There weren't many cliffhangers at the end of Chicago Fire season 13, but one character whose story has technically ended shouldn’t say goodbye yet. Despite the sometimes overwhelming size of the Chicago Fire cast, every one of them has something special to offer. When Violet and Novak disappear for an episode, or when Carver disappears for several days in a row right after returning from leave, fans take notice. Thankfully, most of the cast appear in the Chicago Fire season 13 finale in one way or another.
If anything, it’s the characters who didn’t conclude their current storylines that were surprising. Carver and Ritter leaving ahead of Chicago Fire season 14 was announced well before the season 13 finale, so they had a chance to do something different from previous One Chicago character exits. Carver and Ritter could have been given happy endings rather than surprise deaths or one-dialogue explanations for their disappearance, but they weren’t given any. It’s uncertain how that will be addressed in season 14. Meanwhile, another character’s apparent exit needs to remain wholly unofficial.
Natalie Evans’ Storyline Concluded In The Chicago Fire Season 13 Finale
She And Her Sister Are Finally On Good Terms
After Kidd has an emotional talk with Natalie’s sister, the Chicago Fire season 13 finale ends with Julia helping Natalie pack up to leave Stellaride’s. Julia even offers to buy her sister new clothes because she doesn’t love what they’re packing. Since Kidd spends the last two episodes of the season trying to put Natalie in touch with family who can take care of her, the role she’s been filling in the Evans siblings’ lives appears to have run its course.
Chicago Fire Season 14 Can (And Should) Continue Featuring Natalie Evans
She’s Been A Huge Influence In Stella’s Life
After everything she’s put them through, it wouldn’t be shocking if Stella and Kelly were ready to have Natalie out of their lives. She nearly risked her safety by trying to get high during Girls on Fire training, wasted Kelly’s time by falsely accusing her sister of arson, asked for money to see a mother she hadn’t actually contacted, and got Kidd called into the school for an unexpected meeting. It often seemed as if Kidd and Severide were treating Natalie almost as a surrogate daughter, especially since their adoption plans evaporated just before the end of her story arc.
Whether their newfound pregnancy will work out remains one of Chicago Fire’s biggest unanswered questions until that storyline follows through in season 14, but they should continue making time for Natalie either way. Stella saved Natalie’s life a decade ago while working at another firehouse, making Natalie an important figure in Stella’s professional (and now personal) life. She even tells Natalie on their road trip that she still remembers the fire. Even if Natalie pops up to confirm she rejoined Girls on Fire, it’s good for Stella to continue seeing how the life she saved has turned out.
Why Natalie’s Character Is Good For Chicago Fire Season 14
She’s Still Important To Kidd’s Motherhood Arc
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
Since Natalie felt like a surrogate daughter, Kidd and Severide’s Chicago Fire pregnancy might seem to negate the need for her character. However, they weren’t expecting to wait that long to meet their child. Stellaride now has months to doubt their abilities as parents ahead of Kidd’s childbirth, and their continued presence in Natalie’s life could be exactly what they need to quell those doubts. After this long, Julia won’t likely adapt to raising her sister alone overnight. But helping with any struggles that arise can provide Stellaride with glimpses into their future when needed most.
Technically, Natalie doesn’t need to appear physically to provide Stella with that kind of reassurance. Just as Monica Pascal’s death fueled several episodes’ worth of story, Natalie may continue to be a felt presence in Kidd and Kelly’s lives until the day they hold their own child in their arms. But even a one-episode follow-up would show that Chicago Fire doesn’t forget those the CFD has saved. They’re still out there, enjoying the second chance at life they’ve been given. There’d be no more uplifting way for season 14 to truly cap off Natalie’s storyline.
