n Chicago Fire season 13, Dom Pascal, the new replacement for Chief Wallace Boden, immediately causes tension at Firehouse 51, and it’s easy to see why. Eammon Walker’s departure as Chief Boden in the season 12 finale marked a significant shift for the show, as his exit was one of the series’ biggest losses. Although Firehouse 51 had already seen several major departures, including Blake Gallo and Sylvie Brett, Boden’s departure hit the hardest. Fortunately for the character, Boden was given a positive send-off as he left for a higher position within the CFD.

Replacing someone as respected as Chief Boden is no easy task. Not only was he a principled leader, but he was also beloved by Kelly Severide and the rest of the team. Even if Boden’s plan to set up Christopher Hermann as his successor had gone through, Hermann would still have faced challenges filling those shoes. Enter Dermot Mulroney’s Dom Pascal, who now takes on the role—and unfortunately, he doesn’t make things easy on himself. From the moment Pascal arrives, he seems to go out of his way to rub the squad the wrong way, creating immediate friction.

Pascal Brings New Challenges to Firehouse 51

Pascal’s leadership style is a far cry from Boden’s, and this makes him unlikeable from the start. His abrasive demeanor and apparent disregard for team dynamics only further strain the already fragile atmosphere at Firehouse 51, leaving the squad to grapple with the changes ahead. It’s clear that Pascal has a tough road ahead of him if he hopes to win over the team, but as of now, things aren’t looking promising.