Gabriela “Gabby” Dawson, portrayed by Monica Raymund, was a central character on “Chicago Fire” for its first five seasons before Raymund left the show and her character moved to Puerto Rico in the wake of her messy breakup with and eventual divorce from Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer). Gabby and Casey’s marriage couldn’t survive the loss of their foster son, nor a doctor’s warning that Gabby should avoid pregnancy as another attempt at carrying a child might kill her.
Before Gabby left the firehouse, she was a much-beloved part of the show and fans harbored the hope that she and Casey would succeed together, in spite of Casey’s popular pairing with Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), which continues to be a factor in the show even after Casey’s departure from the show during Season 10. But there was one Gabby-centered scene that confused “Chicago Fire” fans during her long tenure on the program.
Why did Gabby return to the show in Season 8?
A lot of fans wondered why Gabby made a brief, one-episode return to the show following her departure. “Was there any specific reason as to why gabby came back for that season 8 episode?” asked u/hghghghgh12 on the “Chicago Fire” subreddit. They’re referring to a fairly baffling single-episode appearance the character made on Episode 9 of the season, “Best Friend Magic.” In the episode, Gabby invites Casey to a charity gala and explains that she’s there in a volunteer capacity. She and Casey eventually have a warm chat. Though the chemistry between them that night briefly reignites their romance, the couple agrees that their separation is still for the best. Gabby nonetheless invites him to visit her in Puerto Rico any time. They then slow-dance together to the tune of “Time to Say Goodbye.”
All of this appears to set up a recurring role for Gabby on the show, but the character has not appeared on “Chicago Fire” since. u/hghghghgh12 wonders if the episode was an attempt at trying to create an obstacle for the ‘Brettsey’ romance, describing the scene as “so out of nowhere and unnecessary.”
u/MuttJunior offers a solution to u/hghghghgh12’s question. “Why do writers bring back any character in any show – Ratings.”
“I want to believe it gave Casey closure and nothing more,” a deleted user said. In fact, it’s quite likely that the moment was intended to give fans of Gabby closure after the character’s abrupt Season 5 departure. Fans will have to keep their eyes peeled to find out if the character’s leave-taking is permanent.
