Meanwhile, in “A Beast Like This,” Pascal again loses control of his emotions while at the scene of an accident that leaves a young girl injured, going off on the driver who he believes caused the accident for being reckless. This is the last episode before Chief Boden returns to Chicago Fire, suggesting that Pascal’s continued difficulties after his wife’s death may contribute to Boden’s need to visit Firehouse 51.
Both Pascal & Archer Lash Out Because Of Their Personal Grief In One Chicago
Archer’s Grief Is More About The Past Than Pascal’s
Pascal’s Grief Was Set Up Properly, Highlighting Why Archer’s Meltdown Felt Like It Came Out Of Nowhere
Archer’s Relationship With His Ex-Wife Was Long Over
Archer’s grief story should have been far more powerful than it was, but it wasn’t set up properly — instead, it was written as a one-off incident that came out of the blue. The writers likely wanted it that way to illustrate how the sudden, unexpected nature of this death impacts Archer. However, the more careful way Pascal’s grief story has been handled in Chicago Fire underscores how little sense Archer’s story makes.Chicago Fire used Pascal’s reaction to the accident as only one part of an ongoing story. Later, he is seen packing Monica’s things while continuing to grieve. Earlier at Gaffney, however, Archer’s grief is part of a standalone story about his emotional difficulties while trying to work soon after getting the news. Had Archer been actively healing his relationship with his ex-wife throughout Chicago Med season 10, his grief would have hit as hard as Pascal’s grief over Monica does, but as it is, it feels like a plot point rather than a full story.
