We were NOT upset to see Lennox get the boot after 2 episodes.
The medic who replaced Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer) was always going to be fighting an uphill battle. Brett was one of the best in the business, and proved time and time again that she was willing to put the safety of her patients above all else.
Jared Lennox (Wesam Keesh)? Not so much. The paramedic joined the 51 team shortly after Brett left, and managed to anger just about everybody in the firehouse. It was an impressive two episode stint that culminated with his dismissal in “All the Dark.” We can’t say we’re sad to see him go.
Lennox tried to ruin Violet’s reputation
For starters, Lennox was dropped into the 51 role for purely political reasons. It was obvious from the jump that he was serving as a chess piece for Chief Robinson (Laura Allen), and was intent on making things as difficult as possible for new PIC Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith). He did a pretty good job, too.
In the episode “Red Flag”, Lennox repeatedly undermined Violet’s authority on the job, and even went as far as to file a formal complaint against the veteran for “neglect of protocol”, despite the fact that Violet was doing everything in her power to ensure the patient’s safety. Lennox even tried to criticize the veteran Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), who made it clear that he was annoyed by his presence.
“All the Dark” saw Lennox try to exert the same, irritating adherence to the book as the episode before, but an accident involving a biker turned the tables on him in an immensely satisfying manner.
Lennox was finally let go by Chief Boden
Lennox tried to cut through the biker’s jacket to treat his injuries, but he was scolded by the biker in return. Violet found a clever workaround, and insisted that Lennox ride in the back of the ambulance with the biker as they make their way back to the hospital (as is protocol).
Lennox, visibly scared of the biker, asked to drive the ambulance instead, and Violet noted that circumstance and safety are sometimes more important than protocol. He begrudgingly agreed.
This turned out to be the end of the line for Lennox, anyway, as Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) axed the character and sent him back to the fire department’s floater pool by the end of the episode.
Good riddance. Lennox was a classic Chicago Fire antagonist who tested and strengthened the resolve of the show’s main characters, but his exit means that the show will get a chance to bring in a medic that actually has a chance at becoming a centerpiece. We can’t wait to meet them.
