It was a bittersweet farewell Chicago FireJoe Cruz but actor Joe Minoso He feels satisfied with how his story was completed.
Warning: The following contains spoilers from season 15, episode 15 of Chicago Fire.
“The great thing about what we did with the character was that I never imagined he would be this kind of leader, or even a father,” says Miñoso, 48. We It’s the final episode of Cruz’s NBC series. “Whether the arc was designed from the beginning or not, it felt like a really satisfying arc. And we did it in a very positive way. So I’m very proud of it.”
In the episode aired on Wednesday, November 4 Chicago FireFans learned that Cruz began his recovery the day after a spinal cord injury he suffered during a warehouse fire earlier this season.
Joe Miñoso as Joe Cruz.
Parrish Lewis/NBCInitially thinking he wouldn’t be able to walk again, Cruz rose from his wheelchair and by the end of the episode was using only one cane. He was excited to be able to return to Team 3 soon with his recovery, but his wife Chloe (Kristen Lee Gutoskie) wasn’t thrilled with the idea when she went into labor with her twins.
Captain Kelly as Severide (Taylor Kinney) Working behind the scenes to get an extension for Cruz’s return to Squad 3, Cruz took a deep dive into his life after welcoming two daughters, making him a father of four.
Cruz eventually told Severide that he would not be returning to Firehouse 51. Instead, he planned to move to Minnesota, work at a private rehab center and be closer to his father-in-law.
Chicago Fire fans fear OG star Joe Miñoso is leaving ahead of next month’s landmark 300th episode – but will he return? Showrunner Victor Teran tells us exclusively that Miñoso, 48, will return as Joe Cruz following the beloved firefighter’s farewell Wednesday, Nov. 4, following his career-ending injury. […]
“I think the great news about this episode is that the low [Cruz] “These experiences ultimately amount to nothing more than disappointment on their faces when they see their family have the opportunity to return to the fire service,” Miñoso explains. We. “And I think when you have a family that loves you that much and cares about you that much, the decision isn’t as hard as it seems.”
The actor points out that Cruz has always been a family man. “It just so happened that his first family was the family at Firehouse 51,” he says. “And then it kind of feels like being the head of the family is exactly where it should be.”
Miñoso adds: “I think we’ve really established where he is in his life and why he’s leaving. It’s going to take a long time for Cruz to say goodbye to this business, and I think we’ve handled that carefully.”
Joe Miñoso’s Cruz with sons Javi (Carlos S. Sanchez) and Otis (Finn Russell).
Peter Gordon/NBCAt a key moment in the episode, Severide admits that he is very sad to see Cruz go, telling him: “We’ve been riding side by side for 12 years. I need you by my side.”
Cruz, however, stood his ground. “They need me more,” he replied, referring to his family. “Besides, you taught me everything you know. You’ll teach the new kid too.”
“The conflict here is moving from one family to the other; instead of having it both ways, it’s a real moment in Cruz’s life where it’s like, ‘You can’t have your cake and eat it too,'” Miñoso says. We. “But I really respect the fact that he was very loyal and was willing to give up what he felt was home for the sake of the people who loved him the most.”
Miñoso says that being able to speak candidly with Severide, while heartbreaking for fans, was “a true testament to the dynamic we both created together” and that she will be “forever proud of.”
“It was a real honor for us to have that be the last scene we shot. It felt right,” he shares.
Viewers got another sweet moment before the credits rolled as Cruz talked to his late best friend Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Yuriy Sardarov) monument outside the firehouse. (Otis died in season 8 in 2019.)
Joe Miñoso as Cruz.
Peter Gordon/NBC“I’ll always be there for you, brother,” Cruz said, promising to return Otis’ cane once he is fully recovered.
Looking back on the touching scene, Miñoso says, “I think a lot of the character of Cruz is in the character of Otis and vice versa. I don’t think there’s a way to really say goodbye to Cruz without really putting a bookmark on that relationship.”
“It felt like not only the appropriate way to say goodbye to the character, but also the appropriate way for the character to say goodbye to the show,” the actor continues.
After saying goodbye to Otis, Severide congratulated Cruz on becoming a father again and said the crew was waiting for him.
Cruz posed for one last photo with the Firehouse 51 family, standing in the middle of the group, holding back tears and smiling.
“I take away memories, friendships and family,” says Miñoso We That’s what he’ll remember most after playing for Cruz for 15 seasons. “I loved them all and always will. The memories will forever hold a warm place in my heart.”
Chicago Fire It airs Wednesdays at 9pm ET on NBC.