In an interview with ScreenRant, Newman discussed the scene between the two, and Herrmann sacrificing his position for his friend, and how it is a sweet gesture from Herrmann. She also talks about how there is set to be a potential fallout from this too, and touches on how Pascal will need to manage this moving forward, as well as the impact the switch could have on both Herrmann and Mouch. Check out Newman’s comments below:
Herrmann laid down his bugles for Mouch. What inspired that switch-up in leadership, and what is their new dynamic going to look like going forward?
Andrea Newman: That’s a fun one. That, again, was one that we knew from the beginning, because the moment he stepped on the stage Dermot was so great. We were like, “What’s this going to look like? Are people going to be rooting for Pascal to stay?” We wanted to build that over the course of the season, and we did obviously culminating in the funeral where Mouch said, “We’re here, we’re your family, that’s why you’re here. We’re here.”
And from that moment on, Pascal was locked in, I think, and it was no longer a question of, “Are we going to kick Pascal out?” Unless he ends up in jail. But for Herrmann, the journey has been, Boden said, “You’re the guy. Mouch needs you to be the guy. Pascal is testing you to see if you can be the guy, but at the end of the day, what do you think? Do you want to be the guy?”
And that’s the question, obviously, he asks himself in the finale, and he decides, partly because of what that auditor said. “You guys could be gone any minute. So the clock is ticking. I got the chance to be a lieutenant at the house, I want you to have that because you’re my best friend.” So it’s such a sweet gesture.
And for Herrmann, it feels right. It’s a lot of pressure on Mouch now to step up and be a great lieutenant, which he will try to be. And it’s a lot of pressure for Herrmann, who’s now gotten a pay cut, to feed all the children at home. We have lots of stuff to play with going into next season, and how Pascal manages all that too.
What This Means For Chicago Fire Season 14
There Is Plenty To Explore With This Arc
Our Take On Herrmann’s Decision
It Felt Like The Right Choice For The Team
Herrmann’s decision would have been a difficult one for him, but it is a decision that feels like it is right for the team. It also deepens the bond between Herrmann and best friend Mouch, two of the most beloved Chicago Fire characters. The move sets up a strong story arc for season 14, and it will be interesting to see how both men are affected by this. Pascal’s position has now been cemented, and moving forward with a new lieutenant could present fresh advantages, as well as fresh problems for the Chicago Fire team.
