Chicago Fire's Most Heartbreaking Character Arc, Finally Explained
Kelly Severide’s girlfriend had one of the saddest and most devastating deaths on Chicago Fire, especially because it was so different from everyone else’s demise.
Summary:
- Chicago Fire has its fair share of tragic deaths, and most of them are related to firefighter’s job.
- Anna Turner, Kelly Severide’s girlfriend in Season 5, dies from leukemia, unlike all others.
- Anna’s death proved to be the most devastating for fans and Kelly both, because nothing could be done to prevent it.
Everyone living in One Chicago ’s version of the Windy City knows that while the Firehouse 51 crew is fun, they are not safe to be around. Our favorite firefighters go through hell and back daily, and not just on calls: they deal with death all the time. Whether it’s someone they didn’t manage to rescue; someone they loved; or even themselves, the Firehouse 51 members are all too familiar with the Grim Reaper.
Chicago Fire Deaths Are Always Similarly Tragic
There’s no lack of tragedy at Firehouse 51, and some of its episodes are physically hard to rewatch because of it. Whether we’re talking about firefighters’ deaths, like the heartbreaking incident that killed Otis in the Arnow Mattress Fire, or civilians’ deaths, like the poor kid who got stuck in the old laundry chute, it’s always a blow.
But most characters who meet their demise on Chicago Fire do so in a similar fashion: their deaths are somehow related to the Firehouse 51’s crew doing their job. This makes sense, as it’s a show about firefighters; but you can get used to it somewhat. What truly hits different is when a tragic death could not be prevented by getting more hoses, ladders, and people.
Anna Turner’s Death Was a Devastating Exception
In Chicago Fire Season 5, Kelly Severide starts dating Anna Turner, an amazing pediatric nurse struggling with leukemia. Severide donates his bone marrow to her and Anna’s health improves; the two of them move in together and life seems good for a while — until she suddenly dumps Kelly and storms off, leaving him aghast.
Anna claims she was terrified Kelly will become like his alcoholic dad before leaving him; but Severide doesn’t buy it. He finds her again to demand an explanation and learns that Anna’s leukemia entered its terminal stage, and she didn’t want him to see her suffer. Severide stays with his girlfriend till the end, and she dies before him.
Anna Turner’s death hit fans differently from any other character’s demise for one simple reason: unlike in most other cases, there was nothing anyone could do to save her. That’s the same reason Kelly Severide was so devastated as not only did he lose his loved one but he also didn’t have any control over it and felt helpless.