The fallout from Sam Carver’s shocking exit looms large over Chicago Fire season 14, and the show is preparing to dive headfirst into the emotional wreckage left behind for Violet Mikami. While long-running procedurals like NBC’s One Chicago franchise are no strangers to cast turnover, the departure of Jake Lockett after just a few seasons feels different—especially because it comes at such a delicate moment in the narrative. Carver and Violet, portrayed by Hanako Greensmith, had only just crossed a threshold that fans had been eagerly awaiting for years: a kiss that suggested something deeper, something more permanent. That fleeting moment of hope now collides with the harsh reality of Carver’s absence, leaving Violet—and the audience—dangling between possibility and disappointment. When season 14 premieres on October 1, the writers will be tasked with answering one of the most emotionally fraught questions the series has posed in years: what happens to a romance when one half of the equation is suddenly gone?

Hanako Greensmith, who has steadily built Violet into one of the most resilient and layered characters in the Firehouse 51 family since debuting in season 8, teased what lies ahead in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Reflecting warmly on her time working alongside Lockett, she described their final scenes together as raw, honest, and designed to wring out as much emotion as possible for the fans who had been waiting for Violet and Carver to find each other. That bittersweet goodbye behind the scenes will translate into an equally bittersweet narrative on screen, though viewers won’t have to sit with unanswered questions for too long. Greensmith confirmed that a time jump will be introduced at the beginning of season 14, allowing the show to quickly provide clarity about where Violet stands in the aftermath of Carver’s departure. It’s a narrative device that promises both relief and heartbreak, delivering answers to lingering questions without dragging them out unnecessarily.

But Violet’s journey isn’t only about the unresolved romance. As Greensmith explained, her character has endured an almost punishing amount of heartbreak, disappointment, and loss across the last several seasons. From the tragic death of Evan Hawkins to her struggles to find balance within the chaotic demands of Firehouse 51, Violet has carried burdens that would crush many others. Now, however, she stands at a crossroads that feels different. Greensmith described this new phase as a moment where Violet is learning not to be defined by her disappointments but to weave them into the broader tapestry of her experience. This growth marks a key turning point for Violet: no longer will these losses weigh her down like an anchor. Instead, they will shape her, fortify her, and push her into a more mature phase of adulthood. For fans, this means watching Violet evolve from a character often reacting to tragedy into someone who actively transforms it into strength—a narrative arc that has the potential to redefine her place within the show.

Still, questions remain about how the writers will handle Carver’s absence. Lockett’s character submitted a transfer request in the season 13 finale, a plot device that offers flexibility but not closure. Without an on-screen farewell, the danger lies in Violet’s romance with Carver being brushed aside with nothing more than a few lines of dialogue about how things simply didn’t work out. That kind of dismissal would be an insult to the carefully cultivated chemistry the show spent two seasons building. There is still hope, however, that Lockett might return in a guest-starring capacity, even briefly, to give the relationship a proper ending—or perhaps to keep the door open for a future reunion. Fans have already seen how Chicago Fire uses returning characters to deliver emotional payoffs, and given the investment in Violet and Carver, it would make sense for the writers to give the storyline the attention it deserves rather than a throwaway resolution.

Adding to the atmosphere of change is the fact that Carver isn’t the only notable exit heading into season 14. Daniel Kyri, who has portrayed Ritter since season 7, also announced his departure, though unlike Lockett, he will return in a limited capacity. Kyri’s reduced presence softens the blow, but it also underscores how precarious the Firehouse 51 family feels right now, with two fan-favorite characters stepping away at the same time. For Violet, this compounds her sense of loss and transition, forcing her to adjust not only to the absence of a potential romantic partner but also to the departure of a trusted colleague. In that sense, her growth into a new phase of adulthood mirrors the larger theme of the show itself: learning how to carry on after seismic shifts, how to adapt to a changing landscape without losing the essence of what makes the firehouse a family. Whether Carver is gone for good or only temporarily, Violet’s story in season 14 will be defined by how she absorbs this heartbreak and channels it into resilience.

Ultimately, Carver’s exit represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Chicago Fire. On the one hand, the writers risk alienating fans if they fail to give Violet and Carver’s romance the dignity and substance it deserves after so much investment. On the other, the absence provides fertile ground for Violet to step into her own, no longer tethered by the weight of waiting for love to rescue her. Greensmith’s comments suggest that Violet will not be crushed under the loss but instead will carry it as a part of her growth. That kind of storytelling could transform her into one of the franchise’s most compelling leads, giving her the emotional complexity and maturity that have defined Chicago Fire’s greatest characters. Whether the show delivers a proper send-off for Carver or leaves fans clinging to the hope of a future return, one thing is clear: season 14 won’t just be about fighting fires. It will be about Violet learning how to burn brighter than ever in the face of loss, heartbreak, and change—and in doing so, carrying Firehouse 51 into a bold new chapter.