‘Chicago Fire’: What Do You Think of Brett Dalton’s New Truck 81 Lieutenant? (POLL)

Meredith Jacobs
26 Comments
Brett Dalton as Jason Pelham in Chicago Fire
NBC

[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 10 Episode 7 “Who Shall I Fear?”]

There’s no replacing Captain Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) at 51, but Truck 81 needs a commander. While Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), after passing the lieutenant’s test, is the obvious choice, she’s off doing things for her Girls on Fire program. So, that left Deputy District Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) no choice but to bring in someone else (for now), and by the end of the latest Chicago Fire, Lieutenant Jason Pelham (Brett Dalton) is filling the spot for at least the next month.

And that comes after he hasn’t made the best impression on some members of 51. Blake Gallo (Alberto Rosende) and he get off to the wrong foot when they disagree during a call. Casey gave him a bit of latitude, Gallo tries to explain. “I’m not Casey,” the new lieutenant reminds him, and he expects his firefighters to follow his orders.

When Pelham goes looking for Gallo later, he runs into Randy “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte) and tells him he doesn’t like coming down on any of his guys right at the jump. “Tension’s not good for the team,” the lieutenant explains. But is it true Casey let Gallo off the leash on calls? As time went by, yes, Mouch confirms. “Captain Casey meant a lot to this house,” Pelham recognizes (which wins him points with us). “We were real lucky to have him,” Mouch says. “He was lucky, too, being in a house like this, that kind of loyalty from his crew,” Pelham remarks … which has us wondering about the houses he’s been in in the past.

After all, Pelham is a floater, and it sounds like he’s been one for quite some time. There’s a rescue that landed him on TV when he was with 41. (“Right place, right time,” Pelham says.) He filled in at 111 for a couple months last year while a guy was injured. When he talks to Gallo about adjusting to new leadership, he comments, “I had to do a lot of it in my career.” So why does he keep moving around? While it could be he just doesn’t want to stay at one place, there’s something about the way he remarks on the loyalty of 51 that seems a bit wistful.

'Chicago Fire' Boss & Jesse Spencer on Casey's Tough Decision and Brettsey's Future
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'Chicago Fire' Boss & Jesse Spencer on Casey's Tough Decision and Brettsey's Future

Then, just as Gallo’s seemingly accepting Pelham’s not going anywhere, Lieutenant Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) pulls Mouch aside. “He’s one of the good guys,” Mouch thinks. But Herrmann seems to have his doubts: “A guy that great, doesn’t it make you kind of wonder why he’s been floating for so long? So many different places. Never got a command of his own?”

Mouch has to admit it’s a good question, and so do we. So far Pelham seems like a nice enough guy, despite the friction between him and Gallo. And we trust if there were any complaints about him, Boden never would have let him step foot in his firehouse. But at the same time, there has to be a reason why he’s floating and for him to eventually leave because it does seem inevitable that Kidd returns and takes over command of Truck 81.

But what do you think of Pelham after his first episode? Vote in the poll below.

Chicago Fire, Wednesdays, 9/8c, NBC

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Conversation26 Comments

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  1. C

    CyanFish

    I think Casey and Stella kidd need to come back.

    11

  2. O

    OliveHelmet

    Hermann has the position and senority to replace Casey.

    8

  3. R

    RedSeahorse

    I wish Stella would hurry up and get back.

    9 1

  4. C

    CyanFish

    Don't care for him at all, I also don't care about the woman that they have brought back. She has always had her eyes on Stella's man. Trouble is headed their way

    8 1

  5. G

    GoldTeepee

    Don’t like him, period.

    8 1

  6. O

    OliveHelmet

    And the reason I voted I don't care as a vote. Is because this is to soon talking about replacing Casey, this is only the second show since he left. And Jesse Spencer is my favorite actor and as far as am concern no one can replace him or his character Matt Casey. JMO

    8 1

    1. O

      OrangeRaindrop

      I agree! He was my favorite character and the reason I loved the show! It’s going to go downhill fast without him

      12 1

    2. C

      CyanPin

      I love what you said about it being too soon.

      3 1

  7. P

    PurplePizza

    Seems to be falling apart this show. The show needs Stella Kidd. There were some good moments in the

    last show but it is turning into a novella.

    6

  8. G

    GreenCupcake

    Stella Kidd needs to take Lt. spot. OFI Windy needs to take a hike!

    6 1

  9. G

    GoldBlowdryer

    81 is from Stella Kidd

    6 1

  10. O

    OliveBoomerang

    Show is falling apart. I dont watch Chicago PD anymore either. Nor NCIS since Gibbs left.

    3

    1. O

      OliveSword

      I agree. Chicago Fire and PD falling apart

  11. O

    OliveDice

    Nobody will ever replace Jesse Spencer as Captain Matt Casey.

    2

  12. R

    RedCloud

    Keep him.

    1

  13. R

    RedCarrot

    Personally I like the new guy!! And I would just as soon Stella NOT be in charge. Still trying to decide if I can even watch without Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer)

    You could always bring back Steve McQueen!

    1

  14. R

    RedPalmtree

    Truck 81 needs a leader that’s half Casey and Half Boden in regards to leadership.

    1

  15. P

    PurpleHammer

    I was thinking the same thing way before Hermann mentioned it. I know Stella is off doing her Girls on Fire thing but where is the actress that plays her?

    1

  16. G

    GoldBottleOpener

    I hope he stays!! I love him as lieutenant!! He’s awesome and a great actor

  17. G

    GoldBottleOpener

    I love him already!! He’s great for this part and for the team!!!!

  18. G

    GoldSubmarine

    If Casey is truly leaving the show, The show needs to cast an actor the equivalent of Jesse; Jensen Ackles, maybe???

  19. G

    GreenCoffee

    Too pushy for a newcomer

    Don’t like him.

  20. O

    OliveSword

    I've lost interest in Chicago PD. Too many character changes. Chicago Fire heading in the same direction.

  21. O

    OliveRadio

    I miss Casey & Stella Kidd too. This guy has the looks but I don’t like his attitude. It was so hard to see Otis leave the show. I wish he was back too & his death was all a bad dream. The dynamics of the show is changing because of all the character changes. Same with all the Chicago shows. Very disappointed

  22. R

    RedPalmtree

    I haven't seen it a month, our channel was taken off Dish!!! So pissed!!

  23. R

    RedPretzel

    I miss Casey but Stella needs to come back and take the Casey’s place be the first female Lieutenant

    1