NBC’s Choice to Break Chicago’s 10-Year Tradition in 2026 Leaves a Milestone Missing
Cruz’s milestone goodbye
Chicago Fire marked its 300th episode with “Three Hundred,” an installment built around Cruz’s departure. After a life-changing injury was revealed in the season 15 premiere, he found motivation to continue rehabilitation, then recognized that his family needed him more than his firehouse crew.
The episode’s farewell brought poignant moments for Cruz, but the story also highlighted a change from earlier milestones. Casey, a key figure in the show’s first 200 episodes, was not part of the hour.
A tradition centered on Casey
Casey featured prominently in the 100th and 200th episodes. The earlier milestone followed Casey and Dawson as they sought to adopt Louie, while the 200th focused on Casey leaving the firehouse.
The article describes Casey as one of the series’ most central characters. His departure connected to the show’s beginning through his response to Andrew Darden’s loss and his role as a father figure.
Why Casey was absent
Jesse Spencer has moved on from the series, though he has returned for smaller storylines. Those appearances were tied to Brett, his partner when he left Chicago for Portland; with Brett gone and Dawson away on missions, Casey has few major links to Firehouse 51.
The article argues a return needs a meaningful story, not just an episode number. With Cruz’s exit at the center, there was little room for Casey. It also notes that Otis and Severide were closest to Cruz, with only one realistically able to appear in person.
Other absences and mixed results
Boden was also absent, a gap the article says hurt the episode’s connection to the show’s legacy. The installment focused substantially on new probies, including Marcus’s effort to fit into the Firehouse 51 family, while Kidd took on more leadership and Severide struggled as captain.
The photo storyline and Herrmann’s photographer helped create a fitting ending, but the article finds the rest of the episode less effective than earlier milestone installments. It says season 15’s changes amount to a soft reboot, while cast-size issues remain. New episodes air Wednesdays at 9 pm ET on NBC.
Key points
- Chicago Fire marked its 300th episode with Cruz’s goodbye to Firehouse 51.
- Casey was central to the 100th and 200th episodes but absent from the 300th.
- Boden’s absence also left a gap in the milestone episode’s connection to the series’ past.
- The episode focused on Cruz, new probies, Kidd’s leadership and Severide’s adjustment as captain.