What happened to Mouch on Chicago Fire? Character's fate on the show explained

Chicago Fire recently returned with season 13 on September 25, 2024, with only two episodes released so far. This show garnered recognition among fans for its intense drama, action sequences, and captivating characters.

The show kept fans hooked for over a decade, especially with long-standing characters like Randy "Mouch" McHolland. Christian Stolte portrays Mouch, a veteran firefighter at Firehouse 51, known for his dedication and companionship with his colleagues.

In the dramatic finale of Season 11, Mouch was shown critically injured after being hit by shrapnel during a call. This cliffhanger scene left fans uncertain about his fate. Thankfully, in Season 12, Mouch survived and returned to the Chicago Fire Department even stronger.

As Season 13 has been released, many fans are now wondering what the future holds for him, especially with several key changes in the team and even Mouch himself unsure about his fate.

Disclaimer: The writer's opinions are reflected in this article.

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What does fate hold for Mouch on Chicago Fire?

Mouch as shown in Chicago Fire (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Mouch has been a core part of the Chicago Fire series. As a senior firefighter at Firehouse 51, his experience and sense of humor make him a beloved character. He is shown as a dependable individual who is always there to provide wisdom, comic relief, and unwavering support to his fellow firefighters.

Despite his laid-back demeanor, Mouch is known for his loyalty and strong bond with his colleagues at the station, particularly with Herrmann, with whom he shares a close friendship.

The nickname Mouch comes from his early days at 51, where he was shown as the guy who fights with others to sit in the center on the couch to watch TV. This name stuck for years. However, in Season 12, episode 2, Call Me McHolland, after returning to the Chicago Fire Department (CFD), he requested to be called McHolland to shed that lazy image.

Mouch didn’t want to be remembered as someone who just sat around but as a dedicated firefighter. However, he kept that nickname after having a convincing conversation with Chief Wallace Boden.

As the seasons progressed, Mouch faced tough goodbyes due to staff changes and retirements. Saying farewell to those he had worked with for so long wasn’t easy, especially with many staff changes at Firehouse 51. At the end of Season 12, he revealed to Herrmann that he was planning to take the lieutenant's exam.

In Chicago Fire season 13, amidst the chaos of personal and relationship issues, the station sees the arrival of Dom Pascal as the new chief. Dom’s leadership hasn’t been well-received by most of the staff, and there's a high chance he may lose his position due to his behavior.

If that happens, the top candidate to replace him is Herrmann, who has been told before that he should take over as chief after Boden’s departure. However, Herrmann lacks confidence in himself and feels unready for the role because he’s not fully qualified yet.

In a sign of loyalty to Firehouse 51, Mouch has decided not to take the lieutenant's exam until Herrmann is promoted. While Mouch shows no interest in the chief's position, it wouldn’t surprise fans if he ends up in that role, given the show's twists.

Though not much has been revealed about Mouch’s fate in the current season, he remains an important part of 51. Fans can expect upcoming episodes to focus more on him as he continues his service with the Chicago Fire Department.

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Fans can catch new episodes of Chicago Fire season 13 on NBC.