‘Chicago Fire’ to slow but entertaining start

It’s hard to say if NBC’s new "Chicago Fire" will last very long after just one episode. For the most part, the characters and storylines have yet to be developed.

The show focuses on the characters, their lives and their relationships, both in and out of the firehouse. However, it doesn’t effectively connect with the audience.

In the pilot episode, which premiered Wednesday night, the firefighters and rescue squad of Chicago’s Firehouse 51 are immediately called to a house fire in the opening moments of the show. Not long after they arrive, one of the men gets caught in a backdraft and dies.

Much of the rest of the episode focuses on the conflict that arises from this death. The two most prominent characters – Casey (Jesse Spencer), leader of the truck squad, and Severide (Taylor Kinney), leader of the rescue squad – have a falling out after the incident. Each blames the other for the death of their friend.

Near the end of the episode, Casey and fireman Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) fall through the floor of burning building. Severide and his rescue squad find and attempt to save them. Herrmann was injured, so they pulled him out first, leaving rivals Severide and Casey behind to save one another.

There were a number of side plots throughout the episode, but nothing that seemed to affect the show in a big way – at least not yet.

Paramedic Gabriela Dawson (Monica Raymund) struggles with having made a crucial mistake that may have cost a little girl her life. Herrman is in danger of foreclosure on his home.

Peter Mills (Charlie Barnett) is the classic new guy, constantly being teased and hazed.

There is definitely a lot going on in Firehouse 51, but so far, the show doesn’t quite have the energy expected from a firehouse drama. While the show attempts to create dramatic action scenes, they lack emotion and tension. It feels very cliche and almost cheesy at times.

A lot of the details alluded to in the first episode may come into play later, but for now, the plot lines have been dull and overused.

We’ve seen shows like this before, and if this show wants to keep viewers interested, writers need to come up with something more interesting than a grudge between two hot-head firefighters.

The show was entertaining, but it’s going to take a lot more to keep people coming back. To find out if "Chicago Fire" takes that turn, tune in to NBC Wednesdays at 10 p.m.