On March 11, 2026, Chicago Fire fans tuned in for Season 14, Episode 14, titled “Hit and Run,” and witnessed a dramatic turning point for Firehouse 51. The episode marked the departure—at least for now—of Chief Dom Pascal, played by Dermot Mulroney, a character who has stirred up both the firehouse and the show’s audience since his arrival. Though his exit had been teased since January, the actual events that unfolded left viewers with a bittersweet sense of closure, uncertainty, and anticipation for what’s next.
Pascal’s exit was hardly a quiet one. According to reporting from Deadline and recaps from Fangirlish, his departure was set in motion by the fallout from the One Chicago crossover event—a high-stakes, multi-show storyline involving a deadly nerve agent attack on a commercial flight. The crisis pulled together first responders from Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD, and thrust Chief Pascal into the heart of a moral and professional dilemma.
During the crossover, time was running out for several exposed firefighters, including Cruz, Novak, and Capp, who desperately needed an antidote to survive. The FBI and Intelligence Unit had tracked the suspect, Thomas Marr, to his home, but the residence was booby-trapped and set ablaze to destroy evidence. FBI Special Agent Conway, the Weapons of Mass Destruction coordinator, refused to let anyone enter the building. Yet, Pascal—knowing the stakes—ignored the direct order, donned his gear, and rushed in to retrieve whatever evidence he could. As Hindustan Times recounted, this act of defiance led to his arrest for obstruction of justice.
The consequences of Pascal’s decision were swift and severe. In “Hit and Run,” viewers watched as he faced the Chicago Fire Department board, which, determined to set an example, terminated him for conduct unbecoming and relieved him of duty effective immediately. The episode followed Pascal through his final shift at Firehouse 51, as he met with senior officers, imparting words of wisdom and, in a poignant gesture, left his office and a study guide to Kelly Severide—encouraging him to take the next step toward becoming captain.
In a moment that captured both the gravity and humanity of the situation, Pascal told Stella Kidd, “I suppose it’s because I see so much of myself in you,” acknowledging the high expectations and tough exterior he’d displayed. As Fangirlish noted, this was the most likable Pascal had ever been, and his departure, while not entirely unexpected, left the firehouse—and fans—reflecting on his journey from outsider to respected, if complicated, leader.
Showrunner Andrea Newman shed light on the creative decisions behind Pascal’s exit. Speaking to NBC Insider, she explained, “He’s been on the ropes. [The arrest] puts him in a situation, it’s kind of a journey for him from the beginning, where he really wasn’t connected to 51 as closely as the Chiefs obviously we’ve seen in the past, like Boden. So he makes the ultimate sacrifice for his team, for all the teams really in this episode, and it sends him in a totally different and new direction at the end here. And he’s gonna have to figure out if he’s going to fight and claw to get back to 51, or if he’s now going to be on a new path altogether.”
The emotional core of “Hit and Run” wasn’t limited to Pascal’s story. The episode gave significant attention to Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd, both reeling from recent close calls. Severide, portrayed by Taylor Kinney, was forced to confront his deepest fears when Stella’s life was put in jeopardy. As Fangirlish observed, “The firefighter he almost killed, that’s my wife. So I’m not letting this go.” Severide’s panic and subsequent determination to catch the perpetrator underscored the emotional toll of leadership—and love—within the firehouse. Stella, meanwhile, struggled with grief over losing Macy and found solace, if only briefly, in the camaraderie and relentless pace of her work.
With Pascal’s abrupt departure, Severide stepped up as the new ranking officer at Firehouse 51. The transition was both practical and symbolic, as Cruz pointed out, “This makes Severide the new ranking officer.” The firehouse, accustomed to change and adversity, braced itself for another new chapter, now under Severide’s watchful eye.
But what does the future hold for Firehouse 51? The show wasted no time in introducing Rob Morgan as Battalion Chief Hopkins, a character described as authoritative and experienced, with a reputation for overseeing multiple firehouses. Hopkins’ arrival is sure to shake up the dynamic, especially as the team adjusts to new leadership and the lingering absence of Pascal. According to sources from TVLine and Fangirlish, Hopkins is expected to assert his authority, which could create friction with the fiercely loyal and tight-knit crew at 51.
For fans wondering about Mulroney’s status, there’s a silver lining. While his exit has been described as a “hiatus,” with scripts for the final episodes still being finalized, there’s hope that Pascal could return before the season finale. As Deadline and Hindustan Times both reported, the door remains open for Mulroney’s comeback, though nothing has been confirmed. In the meantime, the show has set up a plausible off-screen path for Pascal: after clearing out his office, he reaches out to a former colleague in Phoenix who has been trying to recruit him, hinting that his firefighting journey may continue elsewhere.
Pascal’s arc is a classic example of Chicago Fire’s ability to blend high-octane action with nuanced character development. He arrived as an outsider, struggled to fill the shoes of the beloved Chief Boden, and often clashed with the team—especially Stella Kidd. Yet, by the time of his exit, he had earned respect through sacrifice, vulnerability, and a willingness to put others before himself. As one fan noted, “Pascal, you gave me feelings. And also, you’re never coming back, right? This feels very much like closure.”
As the show moves forward, viewers are left to ponder the impact of Pascal’s actions, the evolving leadership at Firehouse 51, and the emotional aftermath for characters like Severide and Stella. Will Pascal return to reclaim his place, or is this truly the end of his tenure in Chicago? For now, the firehouse carries on, ever resilient, ever ready for the next alarm. And as always, fans will be watching—eager for answers, and maybe, just maybe, hoping for one more surprise before the season draws to a close.