If you remember back to last year, right around this time, I wasn’t exactly giving CHICAGO FIRE a glowing review, calling it a bunch of hot bodies but not much else.  As I watched season 1 roll out, however, with the drama that came along with it (the rogue cops and lost lives and secret drug use, etc), I found myself pleasantly surprised, and excited for Season 2.

The wait is over as Season 2 premieres tonight (on a new night) at 10/9c, on NBC.  The show continues the momentum that it built up last year.  This season, the fire house will face budgetary issues (and other issues in the form of Michelle Forbes who I LOVE), while Casey continues to deal with what happened to Hallie (and all the issues that brings), Severide and Renée deal with their surprise pregnacy (much to Shay’s chagrin), while an arsonist is focusing in on one of our favorites.  Meanwhile, Herrmann is facing some stiff competition at Molly’s and Jeff Hephner joins 51.  The show can be really funny but super tense, and the fire scenes remain exceptional.

Follow the jump for some pretty cast pictures and episodic shots of tonight’s premiere!