Sylvie Brett's journey as a badass, sweet, selfless queen - a thread

Despite receiving a slightly frosty welcome to 51, Brett was incredibly sensitive and aware of who came before her.

"I know you were close with Leslie Shay. I just want you to know I'm not trying to wear her shoes."

She walked away from an emotionally abusive relationship and started fresh in a new city where she knew no one.

“There it is. That feeling in the pit of my stomach when you try and cut me down and make me feel like I’m crazy.”

She showed us early on that she always looks for the good in people when she convinced Severide to follow up on a difficult case with her.

“If you quit giving people a second chance they stop having one.”

And of course like all of our favourite characters, Sylvie Brett has her flaws... like she can't keep a secret lol. She outed Cruz as a Zumba instructor and before too long the whole house knew.

"So this goes no further..."

When Dawson and Casey were having problems, Brett and her optimism were there to help Dawson see the bigger picture.

"There’s not a lot of oestrogen in this house so if you ever want to download, I’m here.”

When in a dangerous situation, Brett discovered a side to herself she didn't realise she had. She was prepared to defend herself and Mills whatever way she could.

The moral battle she had with herself afterwards showed us that her fresh start as a first responder in Chicago was not an easy one to adapt to.

"I was prepared to let a man die. I’m a first responder, a thought like that is never supposed to enter my mind.”

And we saw her form another friendship at 51 with Mills. Sylvie helped Mills with Lullo and Mills helped her through her moral dilemma.

"You wouldn't be human if you didn't [think about letting him die]."

She showed us from the start how she always looks out for her friends.

She was also prepared to call Mills out when he wasn't being a good partner because she understands what it takes to be a really good one.

"You want to BS the paperwork that's one thing, but don't lie to your partner - ever."

Brett revealed that her mom had a nervous break down when she with in the ninth grade. Her aunt stepped up to look after her and it taught Brett to step up for people whenever she could.

"Cecilia, this is a safe space for you to hang out and you are welcome here any time."

Although forming a solid relationship with Cruz, Brett soon realised that it lacked the passion she was searching for in life and in love.

“I adore Cruz and I am so lucky to have him in my life – but it’s not the life I want.”

Despite this break up, Brett and Cruz managed to become the best of friends, something which Brett valued at the lowest points in her life. Her loyalty to someone she cared deeply about never went away.

“Your friendship means the world to me Joe.”

Into season 4, Brett continued to follow through on her on belief that what they do as first responders goes beyond the call.

She went through a whirlwind of emotions over baby Morales – including telling a man to shoot her – but in the end her desire to help paid off.

And we also got this Boden-Brett moment

To feel comfortable enough to hug the Chief shows that she really sees 51 as family and it's a family that she has rightfully earned.

Brett is a total romantic. When a fire ruins a victim's wedding, she suggests they have it at the firehouse. She gets everything they need and angelically sings the bride up the aisle

And we got the first hint that Brett is an organisation queen when she rocked up with her clipboard and passive aggressive remarks

"We just need an i-pod, right?"
"Nice try, it's a wedding not a slumber party."

Further proof of her organisational skills:

When she moved in with Cruz and Otis.

"Everything is labelled with a different font - the one for winter gloves is all frosty."

Brett constantly steps up when she's needed on call - including diving to save Squad 3 from falling off the roof.

YET AGAIN Brett steps up for her 51 family when she tries to get Chili the help she needs.

"I wasn't trying to get Chili in trouble. I just want to help her."

But she also wasn't going to let Chili walk all over her. Brett knows how to protect those she cares about and how to protect herself.

"Who the hell do you think you are? After everything I've done, all the times I've stood up for you!"

It's abundantly clear that Brett wears her heart on her sleeve. Despite how badly Chili treated her and everyone at 51, Brett's heart is still broken for her former partner and she tries to help her right till the last moment.

"Chili, maybe there is something we can do?"

4x16 shows again that she will go the extra mile for people but she will ALWAYS stand up for herself when someone tries to walk over her.

As shown in this iconic moment:

"Sylvie Brett - two ts!"

Followed by:

"I can’t leave my heart in the locker at the start of shift and pick it up at the end. Maybe it will break me one day but I don’t care."

If you're ever looking for a line to sum Sylvie Brett up - this is it.

Brett is prepared to give her friends some tough love and keep them grounded in reality when necessary.

Firstly, she makes sure Otis understands the danger he could be in by not getting his bruise checked out.

"You're not a kid, I shouldn't have to explain this to you."

Secondly, when Dawson is upset about Casey getting wrapped up in alderman business, Brett reminds her that she was the one who pushed Casey into the job in the first place.

"Need I remind you, you wanted him to run for alderman?"

While she keeps their feet on the ground, she will also do what she can to help her friends achieve their goals.

When Dawson is trying to foster Louie, Brett is right there to vouch for her friend.

"Gabriella Dawson is the most incredible woman I know."

She also supports Cruz at every step of making the Slamigan a reality - she even showcases some things she learned growing up on a farm.

"Have a little faith in yourself Cruz. I don't have to be anywhere - let's keep working on it."

Brett feels the pain of her 51 family like it’s her own.

This was shown when Danny Borelli died. Sylvie was so upset for her partner and when Jimmy was burned, she was helping him while in tears.

Brett was reminded of this in season 8 when Casey helped her see that Foster felt her pain. It was something she could relate to and understand.

Brett loves a project.

The first time we see this is when she convinces Mouch to let her write with him – the results being Sheets on Fire.

“Here’s the deal Manimal – you need a feminine touch.”

Brett’s writing and editorial skills are showcased again when she takes charge of The Burn Notice.

“This is going to be SO next level.”

Brett also loves any kind of project that involves house hunting and interior design.

Her excitement over Cindy redesigning the lounge is everything.

For further proof of excitement:

She is also on hand to help Casey find a place to live when his apartment is burned down.

"Yes, I LIVE for this stuff."

She has the confidence to pursue Antonio which is something new and exciting and totally owns her sexuality while doing so.

"Do you want to ask me out? Or should I ask you?"

"I'm a good girl..."

It doesn't work out, but Sylvie never forgets her worth. When Laura Dawson confronts her and Antonio loses his temper, Sylvie isn't prepared to let them walk all over her. She will always stand up for herself, even if it hurts her to do so.

There are very few things that Brett sincerely dislikes - but she isn't a fan of clowns or Halloween.

"People are crazy enough as it is, they don't need a holiday encouraging them."

"Everything will seem perfectly normal and then BOOM - Halloween."

When she realises a friend is in need, Brett is always prepared to reach out and even use her own personal and difficult experiences to help them.

Firstly, she shares with Gabby that she was adopted and gives some good but difficult advice about Louie's birth father showing up.

“I thought about my birth parents as I got older. Mostly if they would care enough to come looking for me, that they would get to know me.”

“I don’t think it’s such a bad idea to sit down with this man – for both you and for Louie.”

She then guides Casey to seek help when he is shot at.

She offered to wake up at 3am for him because she knew that was something she wish she knew she had at the time of her traumatic experience.

"Talking to someone about what happened - it would have helped."

She is terrible at pranks but is totally adorable in her attempts.

Her disposition to always see the good in people has led to some difficult personal situations.

Firstly, when Hope came to town, Brett was reluctant to accept that she was sabotaging Stella.

"Or accounting made a mistake and Hope is bending over backwards to help you."

She also missed some red flags over the doctor who had a wife.

"How could I have been so wrong about that guy?"

Despite these difficulties, her friends love and value Sylvie's ability to always search for the good and would never want her to change.

"You just tend to see the best in people and sometimes ignore the rest. It's something all your friends know and love about you." - Dawson

"I've always been impressed by your ability to see the good in people." - Casey

But when she realised that she hadn't been discerning enough, she didn't take it lying down. She stood up for herself once again.

She was quick to call out the doctor:

"No, not ok! What is wrong with you?"

And Hope

"You almost ruined everything I have worked for here in Chicago. You had the chance to have an incredible life, with incredible friends, working at the best firehouse in the city and you blew it. Take your excuses, lies and drama back to Fowlerton."

Brett showed how much she loves her 51 family when she took the time to apologise to them for bringing Hope into their lives.

"I am truly sorry. This place is special to me and I would never knowingly or willingly jeopardise what we have here. I love all of you."

She knows 51 are some of the best people she will ever meet and she's so grateful to have their love and friendship.

"These people mean the world to me. These friends that I've made, these friendships that I've earned are the best most important relationships I have ever had."

She is meticulous and enthusiastic about every part of her job.

From sitting at the front of class and answering all the questions and filling out her paperwork in an organised, thoughtful way.

To jumping into action in whatever way she is needed. Whether that is helping with physically demanding rescues or keeping a steady head in emotionally demanding situations - like when Ramon Dawson was stabbed.

"If it wasn't for Brett, dad wouldn't have made it to surgery."

And she never looks for praise or gratitude for what she does.

"You saved my dad's life and I never thanked you."

"You don't have to thank me for that."

"Yeah, I do."

She reminded us once again that she can't keep a secret when Otis questioned her over who she was seeing.

"Everybody knows you can't keep a secret."

"I'm not going to say another word on the subject."

*a minute later to Gabby*

"It's Antonio."

Brett is always prepared to put the happiness of others above her own.

When she and Stella were both after Hazmat Zack's affections, Brett stepped aside and put in a good word for Stella.

"My friend Stella - she's fantastic. I just thought you should know that."

When the Chaplain broke up with her, she immediately put herself in his shoes despite how hurt she was. She put his needs above her pain.

"You're really good at your job and we need you here. I don't want to get in the way of that."

And when Casey was conflicted about whether to go to a gala with Dawson, Brett put her own feelings for Casey aside and told him to go because she didn't want him to have any regrets.

"You should go. I think you'll regret it if you don't see her. I know I would."

When Hope reaches out to her and spreads lies over Facebook, Brett shows she knows when to pick her battles.

"I stand up when it's something worth standing up to."

And then she stands up for Gerald when he is being bullied at the homeless camp.

"You mess with Gerald again or anybody else in this camp you'll be picking a fight with us and everybody who's loyal to us and then you'll find out whose streets these are."

Brett goes through a whirlwind of emotions over a pregnancy scare. She is scared, then hopeful because she sees how good a dad Antonio is, then sad when it's negative, but hopeful again that she and Antonio can make it work.

It doesn't work out, but Brett doesn't wallow. She's TOUGH and she's ready to start fresh.

She's a hopeless romantic and it was clear from this episode that when the right guy comes along, Brett will be ready to have it all - a solid relationship and a family.

Brett loves her room-dogs and they love her too.

Cruz and Brett kept Otis company in the hospital when he was shot and Cruz and Otis were on hand to help Brett through her break up.

"You are our room-dog and you are stuck with us for the rest of the week."

The end of season 6 is pretty traumatic for Brett. She watches a woman die and is distraught that she couldn't help her. She cries alone in her car and bottles her feelings.

It ultimately plays a part in a fight with Dawson. Dawson is rude to Brett on a call, but Brett shows she knows what it means to be a good partner and she won't stand for anything less on a job where lives are at stake.

"I have never been spoken to like that in my life... certainly not by someone who is supposed to be my partner. I have things going on too, I treat you with respect every time the bells go off and if you can’t do the same for me, don’t ride with me on 61."

She also knows she is good at what she does. She never seeks acknowledgement of it, but she won't stand for anyone making her feel like she doesn't deserve her place on 61 as PIC.

"I earned my place as PIC after years of experience in the field. I chose this life."

Initially, Brett is a little unsure about welcoming Foster onto 61 because she wasn't sure if Dawson was coming back. However, she soon begins to include Foster in the 51 family - because she knows what it feels like to be filling the space of someone very loved.

Firstly, she shows that she will always back her up personally.

"It is not that hard to man up and make a phone call. That is the respectful thing to do and she is WAY too good for you!"

Secondly, she shows that she will always back her up professionally - and call in reinforcements when necessary.

"It never hurts to have a little extra back up."

She makes sure that Foster knows she has a reliable family at 51 and she always will.

"Being a part of 51 goes beyond what we do on the calls. We show up for each other on and off shift.”

Brett is a hilariously honest drunk.

"Oh please, you just give her that solemn Matt Casey look. The 'I genuinely care about what you're saying' thing you're doing right now! I guarantee she melts."