After His Departure, Look Back at Blake Gallo's History on Chicago Fire

In an effort to move closer to the family with which he'd reunited in Season 11, Gallo left Firehouse 51 in the Season 12 premiere ("Barely Gone"). While he was sad to say goodbye to his firefighter friends, Gallo was excited to tell them about his extended family members he'd recently discovered in Michigan — and the promises of a gig with the Detroit Fire Department.

"Say it ain't so, Gallo!" Randall "Mouch" McHolland (Christian Stolte) exclaimed after hugging Gallo during his last day at 51. "You sure you won't stay?"

"Believe me — hardest decision of my life," Gallo admitted before adding, "But my mom had cousins I never met, my aunt introduced me. For the first time in my life, I realize I have nephews, and nicees, and cousins I get to hang out with and get to know. It's pretty awesome. But I'm going to miss my family at 51 like hell."

"You will be a gift to any firehouse you go to, Gallo," Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) told him.

"OK, If any of that's true, it's because of everything I learned here at 51," Gallo confessed. "I can't thank you enough."

Gallo made his way to Firehouse 51 in Chicago Fire Season 8, Episode 2 ("A Real Shot in the Arm”) when he was chosen as a potential candidate in the wake of the tragic death of Brian "Otis" Zvonecek (Yuri Sardarov). From the get-go, Gallo was a young and overeager recruit dead set on establishing himself as an exemplary candidate for 51.

However, his tendency to take risks and split-second decisions while on calls concerned his superiors, particularly Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) and Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) — who have said goodbye to far too many of their fellow firefighters over the years — and Chief Wallace Boden (Eamonn Walker) expressed concern over his impulsiveness on the job.

After being reprimanded for taking an unsafe risk on the job in Season 8, Episode 6 ("What Went Wrong"), Gallo revealed to Casey that he'd lost his entire family in a house fire as a child and always looked up to the firefighters who saved him. 

Gallo quickly made a home of Firehouse 51, becoming particularly close to fellow firefighter Darren Ritter (Daniel Kyri) and paramedic Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith). Gallo and Violet initially had a very competitive relationship, but their bickering soon escalated into flirtation and their colleagues took note when Violet showed up for drinks at Molly's one evening after work. Later that night, Gallo and Violet hooked up but agreed that the steamy moment was a "one-time thing."

RELATED: Alberto Rosende Weighs in on Violet and Gallo's Future

But in Season 8, Episode 11 ("Where We End Up"), Violet woke up in Gallo's bed again and told him, "Once was fun, twice is the last time we do this." 

Gallo and Violet's explosive chemistry prevented the first responders from deflecting their feelings for each other, and they eventually became a couple while maintaining their playful rivalry. 

But by Season 8, Episode 20 ("51's Original Bell"), Gallo asked to be in an open relationship, which Violet was willing to do. Ironically, after Galo saw Violet enjoying a date with another man at Molly's, he realized he made a mistake. After his jealousy reared its ugly head, Gallo attempted to fix their issues by proposing to Violet, an odd choice given their recent actions and lack of romantic tenure. Gallo and Violet broke up as a result of the awkward pitch, but it didn't stifle the occasional flirting that became routine for the firefighters.

After their breakup, things were a tad uncomfortable between Gallo and Violet as he still harbored feelings for her. This was put to an end in Season 10 and Season 11 of Chicago Fire as Violet began a relationship with Evan Hawkins (Jimmy Nicholas), swiftly stopping a Gallo-Violet reunion. But after Hawkins died in the line of duty, Violet found herself spending more time with Gallo to fill the void Hawkins left behind. 

Gallo was forced to tell Violet that they couldn't hang out alone because of their complicated romantic history. Despite Gallo's occasional pining, he was able to maintain his friendship with Violet, eventually becoming two of the closest friends in Firehouse 51 despite the weight of their romantic past.

In Season 9 of Chicago Fire, Gallo began to explore a relationship with Gianna Mackey (Adriyan Rae), a new paramedic and childhood friend of Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso), who viewed her as a younger sister. The two met when she joined Firehouse 51 in the Season 9 premiere ("Rattle Second City").

Gianna then attempted to ask Gallo out — much to Cruz's dismay, who warned Gallo to back off. 

In Season 9, Episode 3 ("Smash Therapy"), Gianna attempted to give Gallo her phone number, but his fear of Cruz's wrath prevented Gallo from taking it. In the next episode ("Funny What Things Remind Us"), Gallo heroically saved Gianna after she was nearly trapped in a building explosion. Impressed by Gallo's willingness to risk his life for her, Gianna's feelings for Gallo only increased. The pair hooked up in Season 9, Episode 6 ("Blow This Up Somehow") after Gianna expressed gratitude for his actions.

While the pair was unsure what to call themselves after the encounter, fate ultimately had other plans for Gianna. In Episode 9 ("Double Red"), she was offered a promotion to Paramedic in Charge for Firehouse 33, and after contemplating her options, left 51 to accept the job.

Gallo's love life got a much-needed facelift in Season 11 of Chicago Fire after he met and became smitten with Tracy Herrmann in Episode 2 ("Every Scar Tells a Story").

RELATED: Hanako Greensmith Reveals the Key to Violet and Gallo Becoming a Couple

Tracy is Herrmann's niece, making her a Molly's frequent flyer. The pair began seeing each other, which further established him and Violet as platonic pals as she began dishing dating advice. While Gallo and Tracy didn't end up working out long-term, it was a wholesome fling that brought Gallo newfound wisdom in his dating life. 

Gallo's tragic childhood came back to haunt him in Season 11 of Chicago Fire but it led to some delightful surprises.

In Episode 10 ("Danger Is All Around'), Gallo received a visit from his Aunt Lacey, who returned to Chicago to make amends for her abandonment by giving him a storage locker key that would lead him to cherished family heirlooms and keepsakes.

After years of having no connection to his family or past, the discovery was rewarding for Gallo and inspired a deepened interest in forging a relationship with his aunt and extended family, which ultimately resulted in his departure from Chicago in Season 12.