Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 21 recap: Chief Pascal becomes the prime suspect

Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 21, titled The Bad Guy, dropped on May 14, 2025, Wednesday, on NBC. Although the episode opens with Severide and Kidd suffering loss, most of the focus is on Chief Pascal.

On one side, Kidd and Severide, who were expecting an approval form for adoption, find out that the expectant mother had changed her mind. On the other side, the team encounters a car accident case of a man named Robert Franklin, who turns out to be connected with Monica Pascal, the wife of Chief Pascal.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger and makes Chief Pascal suspicious of attempting to hurt Robert.

Read on to know in detail what happened exactly in Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 21.

Here is what happened in Chicago Fire, season 13, episode 21

The episode opens with Kidd and Severide reeling from the aftermath of the failed adoption. To cope with the pain, they both understandably immerse themselves in work, expecting to move on. The team then witnesses a mysterious car fire involving Robert Franklin, who is rescued, although leaving several injured. They find out that the same person was involved in another fire incident 2 months ago, which resulted in the demise of Chief Pascal's wife, Monica.

In the previous case, the crash was ruled an accident, caused by a malfunctioning traffic light. Robert came out clean, neither intoxicated nor reckless. However, Monica's husband, Chief Pascal, had been suspicious and began stalking Robert (and possibly planning revenge). Severide had tried to intervene as he had recognised the signs of a man on the brink of grief. He had shared his own painful experience to discourage Pascal from moving ahead with his plan.

But when the same person is involved in a second car crash, apprehension grows. It is open to speculation that maybe the event is not an accident but rather a failed murder attempt. This raises doubts about Pascal and his intentions regarding Robert.

This is how Chief Pascal becomes a major suspect in Robert's case in Chicago Fire

When Severide investigates closely, he finds out that the fire started before the crash, further indicating that the incident might not have been accidental but planned. Severide calls in the Office of Fire Investigation (OFI), drawing in Captain Van Meter, someone with expertise and in a close working relationship with Severide. Together, they examine the burnt vehicle and discover a puncture in the catalytic converter, which triggered a leak and fire.

Chief Pascal, as a result, becomes a prime suspect with a clear motive to hurt Robert Franklin. However, Severide doesn't reveal any personal connection between Pascal with the victim to Captain Van Meter.

Severide meets Pascal, updates him about the case: how a puncture in the catalytic converter points to the fire being intentional, making Robert a victim. He further tells Pascal about how the case will proceed and how he will be asked to bring forth an alibi, the day of the accident.

But, as the episode comes to an end, Chicago Fire insinuates that Pascal might not have any alibi to present, leaving his freedom uncertain.

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Meanwhile, Violet, after being featured in a local newspaper, gets well-earned recognition and is offered a career opportunity. Though the details of this opportunity are still unfolding, it hints at big changes ahead.

The episode has an element of reflection as Kidd is seen bonding with Natalie during a road trip. Their journey gives Kidd an emotional release and is a baby step in the direction of healing from the adoption loss.

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