Words by Mckenziee Belton
Disclaimer: I know this article will get mixed reviews because Brettsey fans will hate me and Dawsey fans will applaud me, as both groups are very dedicated (I would know I am a Dawsey shipper through and through), but I just really need to get this off my chest. I also want the record to show that I have the utmost respect for the Chicago Fire writers and team. This show has produced some of the most powerful storylines I have ever seen, and they do so proudly even in the most extreme weather conditions. As a consolation prize for making it through this article, I will make a list of my top ten episodes. Finally, and this one is the most important, just because I don’t love the storyline, or the character development of Brett and Casey, that in no way means I wish ill upon the people playing their characters. I shouldn’t even have to say this, but I have seen so much hate online towards Jesse Spencer and Kara Killmer (and Monica Raymund for that matter) and that is wrong, they are not their characters and it is a fictional show, so please be respectful. Now let’s chat about the best relationship of the entire series (a close second is Stellaride, which by the way for those of you who watched episode 15, FINALLY!).
Let me first start by saying that I was late to the Chicago Fire game, I only started watching inconsistently during season five when my mom had it on. I was a bit confused as I started after (SPOILER ALERT) Louie went back to his biological father. At this point, both Matthew Casey and Gabriela Dawson were handling the loss in their own ways, which for them means distancing themselves from each other and throwing themselves into helping others. While I was trying to understand the show and what this couple was going through, even in all the chaos I could tell that they were meant for each other. As the series went on, I watched the season five finale (anyone who knows this show knows how intense that finale was) and that’s when I was hooked. My mom and I decided to watch the series from the beginning and I fell in love with Dawsey.
Now I could summarize Dawsey’s love story, but I don’t want to spoil all the fun! So instead I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite moments, giving you a teaser into the best couple on Chicago Fire.
Early Dawsey: When they find her in the rubble
Second Time’s the Charm: Their second proposal
Spur of the Moment, A Lifetime of Love: Their wedding day
Want to catch more Dawsey? You can now watch all seasons of Chicago Fire on Peacock (Dawsey is in seasons 1-6, 7×01, and 8×09, you’re welcome!)
Girl Code
There has been much debate on Twitter as to whether or not Brett is breaking the girl code by seeking out her best friend’s ex. I for one think this isn’t even a debate. Yes, of course, she is breaking the girl code. It’s not like Casey and Dawson only dated for a brief time, they were together for five years, fostered two children, nearly adopted a child together, lost a baby, and were madly in love with each other. I mean Brett literally held their foster child during their wedding ceremony. I also hate how they decided to play it and say Brett and Dawson don’t talk anymore since she left for Puerto Rico. Just because Dawson moved doesn’t mean their friendship is over. I mean my best friends live across the country and we still talk all the time, IT JUST DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. Why couldn’t their friendship last the distance? Also, why do they act like none of the other characters talk to her anymore? I mean I know Hermann is giving her fatherly advice all the time, Stella probably called her first with the engagement news, heck I bet Severide asked her for advice on the ring! She and Cruz were also close and you’re telling me he didn’t facetime her to tell her she’s going to be an auntie? I get she’s not on the show anymore, but she still exists and her existence shouldn’t be brought up as a plot tool to further Brettsey. It should be about all of their separate relationships with her.
I would also like to mention that Brett dated Antonio, Dawson’s brother and while it was a bit awkward for Dawson, they were fantastic together. When Brett thought she was pregnant with Antonio’s baby guess who was there to comfort her and buy the pregnancy test? You guessed it, Dawson. Brett even told Dawson that she was her “first real friend in Chicago.” When Brett was feeling down about her love life, Dawson reassured her that her “Casey was out there” (but she didn’t literally mean Casey). Before Dawson left, Brett and Casey really didn’t share any scenes together and I get that they grew closer because someone they both loved moved away, but that doesn’t mean they need to date. Not to mention that Gabby and Brett lived together for a bit while Dawsey was going through a rough patch, as all couples do. Basically, all of this to say that yes, she’s breaking the girl code.
My Miracle
This one really just gets me. I want you to watch this scene and tell me that after you witnessed it that you would go after Dawson’s man.
Seriously if you were there, which Brett was, and saw this would you then say “It’s always been you?” No, no you wouldn’t. Well maybe you would, I don’t know you, but I know I wouldn’t. I also just can’t believe Casey when he said in the most recent episode that “Gabby is my past, I’m in love with you, Sylvie.” I watched this man dive into the rubble to find Dawson after the hospital had been blown up. He jumped into a car when she was at risk of being burned while rescuing a patient. If you watched the first six seasons of Chicago Fire, you would have witnessed one of the most epic love stories. Dawsey made each other better, even when they butted heads. Their whole purpose was to help others and they did so as a team, it was pure magic.
Alternate Endings
Now I know what you’re thinking, she left the show and he had to move on. No, actually he didn’t. They could’ve had a long-distance relationship. What, no that couldn’t work, we’d never see her that’s unrealistic. Is it though? Because we never see Herman or Boden’s wife, but last I checked they were still happily married. We love seeing them when they guest star every once in a while, which is what Dawson has already done. We could have her show up once, or twice a season in a cameo role. What I would’ve done (if we are continuing with the Puerto Rico storyline) is have her come back to Chicago after having volunteered for the last few seasons, really inspired. She decides to run the Chicago division of the foundation recruiting volunteers and running training sessions while traveling around the world on smaller service trips to help the new recruits adjust, maybe this should be a spinoff? In this way they can talk about Dawson (updating the audience as to what she’s up to) and she and Casey can still be happily married and schedules permitting she can pop in to say hi. As for Brett, I was always kind of surprised she didn’t end up staying with Antonio, or Cruz. Each of those relationships brought out a different side of Brett that we didn’t always get to see. Now that Antonio is gone, and Cruz is married, I think it would be best if she met someone outside of the firehouse. I imagine her with a doctor, or a flower shop owner, someone who is successful and wants to see Sylvie succeed as well. Someone who brings out the best in her. She deserves happiness and storylines that don’t all revolve around Casey. I would love to see her become a mentor to other paramedics in training, maybe even teach a class or two. She has so much to offer and I feel like her light is being dimmed by the Brettsey storyline.
Twitter Talks
I also think it is worth noting that Gabby was just mentioned in episode 15 of Chicago Fire, she didn’t even appear and she was trending on Twitter with over 12,000 tweets. The girl has staying power and rightfully so as she is a beloved cast member and role model to many.
A New Development
After watching parts of episode 16, I’ve realized how difficult it’s going to be to restore Dawsey. If Dawson were to come back, I don’t know how Brett could explain sleeping with her ex-husband. I also feel like it would be really uncomfortable for her now to go back to the firehouse knowing all of her friends were rooting for Brett and Casey to get together. Maybe after hooking up they’ve realized they aren’t meant to be and he runs to be with Gabby? It’s doubtful, but always possible. Regardless, I will always be a Dawsey fan.
Thanks for Listening
I hope I didn’t bore you too much and that maybe I’ve even intrigued you enough to watch Chicago Fire if you aren’t already! It’s really a fantastic show and I can only hope to create a show one day that makes people feel the way this one does. The fact that there are fans so dedicated to these relationships only goes to show you how powerful the writing is and how seen people feel. This show doesn’t shy away from social issues, but instead faces them head-on and masterfully. Chicago Fire should be proud of the world they have created and the real heroes (paramedics, EMTs, firefighters) they highlight in every episode. Keep up the inspiring work, but please restore Dawsey!
Let me know your favorite Chicago Fire moment in the comments!