‘Chicago Fire’ Says Goodbye to Ritter — Will He Be Back?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 2 “Primary Search.”]
Firehouse 51 sends off one of its own — but at least it’s a happy exit for Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) in the Wednesday, October 8, episode of Chicago Fire.
The premiere saw Ritter fly to New York after his ex-boyfriend, Dwayne (Samuel B. Jackson), was shot on the job. The good news is Dwayne’s going to be OK. Ritter returns to Chicago in this episode and admits to Violet (Hanako Greensmith), “This week was a lot.” As soon as Mouch (Christian Stolte) told him Dwayne was shot, “I had to go.” But an hour after he got to the hospital, another guy showed up: Dwayne’s brother. In quick succession, Ritter them met his mother, father, and sister, and yes, they were all cool, but it was awkward. As Ritter sees it, he’s the reason Dwayne was shot. If they had moved in together like Dwayne had wanted, he never would have gone to New York. Violet assures him that it’s not on him.
“Do not use that as an excuse to walk away again. Don’t do what I did with Sam. You two reconnected before all of this happened. You still have a chance to make things work,” she says, pointing out New York’s not far away. But he counters that Denver, where Violet’s ex-boyfriend, Carver, isn’t either. “Sam and I had a moment before he went to Texas that started that spiral. It could have worked but I pushed him away. If you do that with Dwayne, trust me, you will regret it,” she advises him.
But Violet’s not expecting Ritter to take her advice and make a major decision that will take him from Chicago. He called Dwayne and they spoke for two hours. The cop also regretted walking away and almost turned back. But New York was a promotion, not because of Ritter. When the firefighter asked if he wanted to get back together, Dwayne said yes. And so Ritter’s flying to New York after his shift. He’s already cleared it with Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Pascal (Dermot Mulroney). For how long? With the brownouts happening, there are plenty of floaters, he points out. Plus, she’s the one who told him to go. But she didn’t mean to quit the CFD.
“I’m not quitting,” Ritter insists. “It’s just an extended furlough.”
Fortunately, Mouch gets a moment of a goodbye with Ritter — we know how important their relationship has been. (Ritter’s going to stop by his uncle’s old firehouse; he hasn’t been since he was a kid.) And then Violet and Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) stop Ritter as he’s heading to the airport. They’re taking him. When Novak comments it’s only a few months, Ritter says, “We’ll see what happens,” suggesting it could be permanent. Whatever it is, Violet promises they’re going to come visit.
So will Daniel Kyri be back? It’s possible. After the premiere, showrunner Andrea Newman told TV Insider, “He’s there at the beginning of the season, and we hope to see him back at some point later in the season. This is what we do on Chicago Fire. We’ll say our goodbyes, and then we’ll see people again. And he’s certainly very much still in the lives of all of us.”
What do you think of how Ritter was written out? Let us know in the comments section below.
Chicago Fire, Wednesdays, 9/8c, NBC
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C
Ritter became one of my favs. I really hate to see him go.
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C
Oh No! We Love Ritter! And Daniel Kyri is So Talented! Please Make Sure He Comes Back!!!!!
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O
Really like Ritter & hope he doesn’t leave. Hopefully Dwayne will see NY isn’t any safer than Chicago and will move back that way Ritter will come back to the house for good.
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P
I was glad ritter wasn't killed off like violet's love for awhile. Ritter was well respected by his crew. His techy expertise was noted in previous seasons with other characters as well as his investment with violet in brewer business.
I hope NBC find a return like Brett and her fiancé.
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G
I think losing him is another deterrent for this show, please don't tell us he might be back,when you know he's not. That just makes people mad. Good Luck!
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P
Ritter is one of my absolute favorites! Please don't let him be gone for good!
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O
The story line of this whole episode was sadly disappointing .Hope the next one is better.
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O
I thought so too. Glad it wasn't just me. I get worried because I used to love PD as well and now I don't like it. Not even just don't care I actually don't like it. I Hope they don't ruin it and Med.
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A
Why not, it should NOT MATTER if couple's are straight or gay!! It's not your show, not your life & oh and not ya BUISNESS!! DON'T like it don't watch it. Everyone has that right to watch and everyone has the right to turn channel correct ma'am/sir ?? Don't know by handle I'm sorry, but I'm just saying if you don't like on the show sweetie turn your 📺 to something else ok. I hope they both come back one on Fire and one on PD that would be AWESOME 💜.
Even in real life it does not matter Everyone Deserves to be able to Love and Marry Whom they Want Same/Opposite Sex and Live their Life as Long as they Wish 💜👋 as long they are Respectful and Don't hurt anyone. LEAVE THEM ALONE AMERICA!
THANK YOU God Bless
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G
It was very tastefully done with Ritter’s exit! I’m so glad they’re leaving the possibility of him returning to 51! I love Ritter, just wish he would have played a bigger part! I also loved when he had the Dalmatian! They need to get another one! Come back soon Ritter!
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E
Why Ritter have to be gay? He's good looking man that deserves a good looking woman by his side not a man.
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D
What difference does that make? He is a Good Friend and an Excellent Firefighter...
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E
I didn't say anything him not beinging a good friend or firefighter. I just wished that he wasn't that way, and I'm judging him because of it either.
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B
Yes, you are judging him. Whether you realize it or agree, you have people around you who are gay. The show is right to reflect that. Love is love, and he found true love, we should celebrate and be happy for him and Dwayne.
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O
Yes! There's too much Ugliness in the World today! There are 'man & woman' couples in the show, why does have to be Another??? Love is Better than Hate Everyday!!
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B
Because it should, why have a gay couple st all
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R
Yes you are judging. All the other couples, are heterosexual, some married. Some of those firefighters have a big family. Oh, you mad that Ritter's character is a black man, who is gay...and so is his love interest? I thank God (who IS love), every day for our diversity, recipes and flavors and spices among us humans. We obviously aren't meant to be all alike. Besides, if hetero is so normal, why is misogyny SO brutal, harsh and endangers girls and women any day of our lives? THAT is what has to change.
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B
Excuse me how dear you put God in this I hold on to his standards on marriage between a man and woman not a man and a man and a woman and a woman. And two rather Ritter's black, white, purple or green I still say he deserves a good woman in his life instead of a man.
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