‘Chicago Fire’ season 3, episode 20 reaction: Show boss on Charlie Barnett shocker
Tuesday night’s “Chicago Fire” episode did not bring about a significant character death, but it did give us something that in many ways was just as difficult to swallow: The departure of a beloved character from the show.
Why send Mills packing? Sometimes, it is an easy question to answer in that the actor wants to depart to do other things, or there is some breakdown in negotiations that forces it. However, in this case this seems to mostly just be a response to a creative decision, and Charlie Barnett had no intention of leaving the show at all. As a matter of fact, he and the other cast members where shocked to hear about it. Speaking per TVLine in a post-mortem for last night’s new episode, executive producer Matt Olmstead breaks down how the decision came to be:
“In the writers’ room, we have a board with all the characters and all the episodes, and we’re pretty vigilant here about making sure that storytelling is fresh. Especially with a relationship-based show, you never want to get stagnant, and you have to be tough-minded sometimes… It was time to shake things up. It came solely from a storytelling standpoint. He’s an amazing individual and a fantastic actor and gave us so many different things, but it was just this going to give us, hopefully, some new blood in terms of a new character and the departure of [Mills] is going to affect other people. So it’s invigorating storytelling-wise.”
The good thing about the way Mills’ exit was written, with the character returning to be in his family in North Carolina, is that it does set the stage for Barnett to return in the future, even if it is for a guest-starring role for an episode or two. It creates flexibility, and allows the show to introduce some new characters.
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Norma
May 4, 2015 @ 12:28 am
First Shea n now Mills! Not one stupid idea but two!! What is wrong with u people!! It adding nothing when Shea got killed n it adds nothing to the show to get rid of Mills!!!!! I think the writers need to go!!!
Linda Newsom Morris
April 27, 2015 @ 2:59 am
One of the best characters had to leave because you want to bring in new characters? Unbelievable!! You guys are messing up…this is not being creative…it’s is being ignorant…a dog and pony show.
Sue
April 25, 2015 @ 11:04 pm
I was sad too Peter leave…..it was interesting how he asked Dawson to join him. But I want to see Casey and Dawson get back together…..they need more passion!!!! I bet she will end up pregnant from their one night together. Love the show!!!!
Just Chillin
April 24, 2015 @ 11:58 pm
I am greatly disappointed with Peter Mills (Charlie Barnett) leaving the show – a great show at that. I enjoyed his character contributions and experiences on the show. Please consider returning him to the show ASAP.
karen
April 22, 2015 @ 11:15 pm
The writers say they needed a shake up. Did they not do that last season when they wrote Shea out. Maybe they need to think about the people who watch the show and keep the ratings up. There are so many different ways to keep this show going but dropping people. Maybe the writers need to take a look at all the long running shows who where on top and did not drop their main actors. really disappointed in the way they ended the season.
karen
April 22, 2015 @ 11:10 pm
Why do they think writing mills out of the show will help them. Would really like to know the writers theory on this discussion.
Marj
April 23, 2015 @ 1:27 am
Very disappointed!!! Mills is part of the family! Stop making changes! You can do a lot with the cast you have !
karen
April 22, 2015 @ 11:10 pm
Why do they think writing mills out of the show will help them. Would really like to know the writers theory on this discussion.