Let’s be honest, a storage facility fire rarely screams “must-see TV.” Yet, “Chicago Fire” is back at it again, this time with “Untouchable,” seemingly ready to squeeze every last drop of drama from those charred remains. Severide and Pascal, apparently not content with the initial investigation (or lack thereof), return to the scene, hoping to unearth some conveniently overlooked clue. One wonders if they’ll find the fire’s origin story scribbled on a conveniently placed napkin or perhaps stumble upon a hidden room filled with… well, something more exciting than old tax returns.
Meanwhile, back at Firehouse 51, the drama downshifts from potential arson to the slightly less thrilling world of…paramedic exams. Mouch, apparently in need of some academic assistance, enlists Cruz for some study-buddy time. Now, there’s a spin-off I’d watch – “Chicago Study Hall.” Think “Paper Chase,” but with more fire extinguishers.
In a bid for some actual medical progress, Novak takes center stage, pitching a whole blood program to Chief Robinson. While the concept itself seems sound (who doesn’t like whole blood?), the real entertainment here will likely come from the inevitable bureaucratic hurdles and inter-departmental squabbles that any such proposal in a television firehouse is destined to encounter.
We’ll almost certainly get a heavy dose of furrowed brows, tense stares, and maybe a dash of inspirational speeches about brotherhood. Still, if the writers manage to weave together these disparate threads – fire investigation, paramedic cramming, and blood-based initiatives – “Untouchable” could be a moderately diverting hour of television, even if the storage facility plotline is starting to smell a bit like, well, smoke.
“Untouchable” airs Wednesday, November 13, at 9:00 PM on NBC.
