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What's Happened to Jake Lockett's Character Sam Carver on Chicago Fire?

The Season 11 firefighting recruit has proved to be an exemplary addition, and is quite easy on the eyes.

 

By Christopher Rosa & Jessica White

Each season of Chicago Fire sees Firehouse 51 get new blood, and Season 11 saw the arrival of the confident and determined firefighter Sam Carver, played by Jake Lockett

How to Watch

Watch the Season 13 premiere of Chicago Fire Wednesday, September 25 at 9/8c on NBC

It was clear from Carver's debut that he was going to make a splash at Firehouse 51, even though he was a bit of a mystery as he settled in at the station. He preferred to keep his cards close to his chest, making him a target of interest during his indoctrination.

RELATED: What to Know About Chicago Fire Season 12

With time and countless rescue missions, Carver has bonded with many of his 51 colleagues, enjoying many a pint at Molly's after the chaos has blown over. 

Jake Lockett as Sam Carver in Chicago Fire

When did Sam Carver first appear on Chicago Fire?

Carver made his first Chicago Fire appearance in the Season 11 premiere ("Hold on Tight") after Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) struggled to find a candidate for Truck 81. He eventually recruited Carver, a headstrong firefighter who fans discovered had gone to the Academy at the same time as Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo). 

Kidd was less than happy about Carver's arrival at 51 due to his arrogance and trouble-making nature. 

“With all due respect, he's not 51 material,” she told Boden. The longtime Chief disagreed, telling Kidd that her leadership might be exactly what was needed to work out Carver's attitude problem. 

Severide Darren Ritter and Sam Carver on Chicago Fire Episode 1201

Is Sam Carver leaving Chicago Fire?

Carver took a furlough at the end of Season 12, and fans will have to tune in to Season 13 to see what happens next.

In the Season 12 finale while on a call with Kidd, Carver got into an altercation with an abusive father who reminded him of his own childhood traumas. Triggered by the man's behavior with his son, Carver got into with him after he confronted Kidd, putting him in her bad graces.

Carver later visited the son from the call and encouraged him to get out of his tumultuous family environment while he still could. "You might end up trying to fight the whole world and you deserve better," Carver told the young man.

Then, after confessing his feelings to Violet, Carver took a furlough to sort out some of his issues.  

Mouch and Carver on Chicago Fire

What is happening between Sam Carver and Violet Mikami on Chicago Fire?

Carver and Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) got involved in a romantic relationship in Season 12, but ended the season without any clarity on their future. Viewers will have to tune into Season 13 to see what happens next.

Things kicked off after Violet's partner, Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), tried to matchmake the two in the Season 12 premiere ("Barely Gone") as potential dates to her upcoming wedding to Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer). Violet bristled at the idea, but Carver walked away wearing his trademark smirk.

Still, the two started getting closer, and the two ultimately hooked up in Season 12, Episode 3 ("Trapped") after a night out at Molly's. She later reported to Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) that it was just a "one-night" thing, but then the two began spending nights together behind closed doors. 

Violet ultimately did ask Carver to be her date to the wedding in Season 12, Episode 6 ("Port in the Storm") and they had a good time. But she ultimately pulled him away to tell him she was concerned about getting too emotionally invested in someone with such a dangerous job — a concern he ultimately pushed away.

RELATED: What's Happened to Violet Mikami on Chicago Fire?

As Season 12 continued, they spent a lot of time together but struggled to keep their relationship casual, which came to a head in the finale ("Never Say Goodbye"). That's when, following his altercation while on a call, Violet accused Carver of having feelings for Kidd.

Carver was heartbroken and keen to set the record straight. 

"You have thrown every excuse at me, done everything in your power to push me away, keep distance between us," Carver explained. "But it is not because of me or anything I did. It is because you can't let go of [your ex]. You know I'm not in love with Kidd because I am stupid enough to have fallen in love with you."

Violet was rendered speechless by Carver's confession — after which he took that furlough. Though she tried to go to his place to apologize, the pair didn't get a chance to reconcile before Season 12 faded to black. 

Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami

What's happened between Stella Kidd and Sam Carver on Chicago Fire?

Kidd and Carver are currently friends, but were formerly professional rivals.

Carver and Kidd had rocky relationship when he joined 51 in Season 11, though she attempted to clear the air with him before he started. She noted that they weren't exactly best friends at the academy, which he shrugged this off by saying they were just two competitive people. She then said his cocky attitude was the issue.

As 51's rookie, Carver was trying to prove himself to Kidd, but didn't get off to a good start. He reacted poorly when Stella told him she was Truck 81's reigning Lieutenant, saying that he "could see" former DC Hill (J. Nicole Brooks) liking her. Kidd assumed he was implying that she was only promoted because she is a woman of color. 

Then, on Carver's first call, Kidd assigned him a less-intense responsibility. After being questioned by Boden, she explained that Carver still needed to prove himself to her. It took a while, but they were able to make progress as coworkers.

In Season 11, Episode 4 ("The Center of the Universe"), Carver got into a drunken altercation, was arrested, and called Kidd to bail him out of jail. She was mystified by the decision, wishing to understand his behavior while agreeing to bail him out. Despite her attempts to get him to open up, Carver told her not to worry about who he was outside of 51. All that mattered was who he was after he punched in each shift. 

Ultimately, she became one of his closest friends at 51 and the two even receive the Firefighter Award of Valor for their work together on a rescue.

Split image of Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Carver (Jake Lockett) from Chicago Fire.

How did Sam Carver get his scar on Chicago Fire?

When Carver made his 51 debut, all eyes landed on a large scar on his arm. From the looks of it, the scar appeared to be from an intense injury, but no explanation was initially given. In Season 11, Episode 2 ("Every Scar Tells a Story"), Carver was asked and explained that he got it in a house fire. 

But, Kidd saw right through Carver's lie, calling him out on it at Molly's. She told Carver that she also had things from her past that she'd prefer to revise her the story about, but regret was not a reason to lie. She warned him that there wouldn't be a place for him on Truck 81 if he lied again, to which Carver said, "Then I'll just have to keep quiet about the scar." 

RELATED: Carver Finally Revealed the Scary, Heartbreaking Way He Got His Scar

Carver kept true to his word until Season 11, Episode 10 ("Something for the Pain"). After reeling from an explosion that nearly killed him and Kidd, he opened up about the origins of his injury.

Carver got his scar when he was nine years old, after his 15-year-old brother pushed him into a bonfire. As the young Carver thrashed in the flames, his brother ignored his need for help, instead running to his parents to claim Carver fell and that he saved him.  

Carver Gallo Ritter on Chicago Fire

What happened with Sam Carver's brother, Nathan Carver, on Chicago Fire?

As one could imagine from the eye-catching scar, Carver didn't have the best relationship with his brother, Nathan (Tyler Jacob Moore); instead it often teetered toward being emotionally abusive.

Viewers met Nathan for the first time in Season 11, Episode 13 ("Man of the Moment"). 

Predictably, Nathan didn't reconnect with his brother for wholesome purposes. He had jumpstarted an advertising company using his parent's life savings and, after it was unsuccessful, was facing bankruptcy and needed Carver's financial help. 

RELATED: Chicago Fire's Jake Lockett Covers "Ain't No Sunshine"

Carver opened up about the reunion to Kidd, who sympathized with his tough predicament. Despite their troubled history, Carver chose to give Nathan the money, but Nathan wouldn't walk away. 

Kidd barged in on their conversation, telling Nathan that his brother is a "hero while being a firefighter," noting his Award of Valor. 

Find out if Carver returns to 51 by watching Season 13 of Chicago Fire on NBC.

Originally published Jan 4, 2023.