Chicago Fire Update May Spell Good News For Christian Stolte's Mouch Future
By Mia Tucker
While the real-world policy revision allowing Chicago firefighters to remain active until 65 grants Mouch the right to keep operating as he has been, the character's future at Firehouse 51 is still unclear at the moment. While Mouch is back at work, the fallout from his injury is forcing him to confront his age and his physical ability.
In Andrea Newman's Hollywood Reporter interview, the showrunner explained that this personal struggle for Mouch — as well as David Eigenberg's Christopher Herrmann — is explored throughout Season 12. "They are seeing these young guys come in and the questions are, 'Do I have limitations and if so, what are they? And, will they hamper me on the job? And, what's the safest thing for everybody?'" Newman said. "But you know, they're still tough!"
Newman also teased the possibility of Mouch transitioning from his duties as an active firefighter to a support role, allowing him to continue helping Firehouse 51. "They can function that way like Boden [Eamonn Walker], the fire chief of Firehouse 51. It is a little bit of a struggle, but he can do the desk job. But then there are some people that are adrenaline junkies; they are never going to want to hang it up and just move to a desk," Newman said.
Many "Chicago Fire" fans are curious to see how a Herrmann and Mouch retirement storyline would play out, though whether it happens remains to be seen.
