One Chicago Recap: Chicago Med "Poster Child"/Chicago "In The Rubble"/ Chicago P.D. "Seen and Unseen"

 

Catch up on this week's thrills and drama of One Chicago's latest episodes. Here's a recap!

Chicago Med "Poster Child" 

Med returns, bringing an excellent reason to celebrate! Dr. Howard is joining Gaffney's cardiac team and is teaming up with the talented Dr. Hayes. In another inspiring moment, Howard and Lenox are caring for a patient who has been in a coma for over 20 years. It's heartwarming to note that Goodwin was the nurse who attended to her when she first came in. Together, they discover that the patient has a tumor that is both waking her up and unfortunately posing a serious threat. Taking a brave step, they proceed with the risky surgery to remove it. In the end, their efforts pay off successfully! Not only does the patient finally wake up, but Goodwin also finds that her relationship with her mother has blossomed. 

Frost and Charles are concerned about a young boy who seems to be struggling with bulimia, especially after testing positive for a drug that causes vomiting. As they talk with the child, Charles discovers he has questions about his sexuality. The team approaches the parents to discuss possible next steps, but unfortunately, the mother isn't open to their suggestions and opts to take her child home. Meanwhile, the father reflects on the conversation he had with Charles and makes the difficult decision to keep his child at the hospital, even though it goes against his wife's wishes. 

Meanwhile, Ainsley begins her first day of shadowing Maggie for her new movie, but Frost has some issues with it, seeing that she still has feelings for him after what they had when doing the TV show. Maggie sees that something is wrong and tries to talk to Frost about it, but at first, he seems to be in denial. However, he comes around and ends things with Ainsley. 

Once again, Lenox gets a surprise visit from her brother, who asks her to stay at his place until his apartment is fixed. He even embarrasses her in front of Hayes and the team by calling her Kitty Kat (yikes!). Later, when Lenox returns home, her brother cancels their plans to go out with friends, but let's not overshadow the fact that he has signs of something muscular with his hand. He tells her that she needs to live her life and get out of the apartment, so she does and joins Howard at the bar to celebrate along with Dr. Hayes. 

Ripley is enjoying the glory of being the hero as he receives many flowers and gifts. He and Charles talked nicely about what had been said and its meaning. Ripley and Asher's relationship will likely be dealt with later (does anyone think they will get back together?). But let's not beat around the bush, as the question remains: Will Ripley still be at Med? The answer is yes, but his physical therapy will take a while. 

"Poster Child" was a solid episode this week, with some good character development from Lenox, Frost, and Goodwin. I'm happy to see that Lenox is stepping into the real world (if you will) of being around people and having some fun. With her being strict and focused on her job, she takes things too seriously and doesn't let up. And I love the duo relationship between Howard and Lenox as it's just a solid mentor and mentee bonding that I can't help but feel that Med hasn't had in a while. 

Frost and Ainsley's relationship in the last few episodes has had its ups and downs, and many of us feel that after being apart for so long, they might not be the best match right now. It's great to see Frost finally taking those necessary steps, and Maggie's unwavering support for her friend is commendable! I enjoyed the Goodwin storyline in this episode; it felt heartfelt and warm, especially the moments between her and her mother as they worked through their differences. 

And we can't overlook Ripley's decision to stay at Med! I like to think of that as the Ross Effect- if you're not familiar, it reminds me of the drama in the first half of season two of ER, where Dr. Ross faced some serious challenges that led to the unforgettable "Hell in High Waters." I absolutely recommend checking out that episode!

Overall, I give this week's episode an 8.5/10.

Chicago Fire "In The Rubble"

This week's episode of Chicago Fire finds Pascal searching for the truth about the accident that killed his wife, but how far will he go? 

When the Assistant States Attorney informs Pascal that they won't be pursuing charges against the driver responsible for Monica's death, Pascal takes it upon himself to uncover the truth and hold the driver accountable, even knowing where they live. Despite his efforts, when the 51 leaders investigated further in their report, they all arrived at the same conclusion: it was simply an accident, nothing more. 

In the meantime, Damon is reconnecting with the floater pool to search for a new firehouse. While Severide believes he should return to 51, Pascal feels that a fresh face is needed, especially given the challenges from the past. Fortunately, Damon has a great supporter in Lizzie Novak- fondly known as Kojak by those who sometimes forget her last name! After Pascal got and accepted the reports from Herrman, Kidd, and Severide about the accident, he approved Damon to stay at 51 for the long haul. 

After an unexpected moment, Cruz wants to support Pascal but finds it a bit challenging, like when he brings an extra load of food! When he sees the funeral service, he and Mouch deliver some beautiful flowers. After chatting with Monica's sister, they realize that what truly matters is being there for Pascal, and they do just that, showing up because they care and consider him family, too (here we go with the tears again!). 

Violet shares her thoughts in this episode through a heartfelt letter to Carver, expressing her feelings about their relationship. This beautifully mirrors Pascal's own journey through the stages of grief. However, Violet chooses not to send the letter after realizing she's actually penned a novel. Instead, she considers saving it for when Carver returns, perhaps giving it a little polish in the meantime! 

"In The Rubble" offers a beautifully poignant experience, perfect for anyone seeking a touching moment to connect with their feelings. Violet's narrative captivates, and watching Pascal navigate his emotions during this grieving journey is heart-wrenching and profoundly emotional. Dermot Mulroney delivers a memorable performance that stands out among this week's highlights. Watching him navigate the challenges with his 51 team, as they revisit the accident without providing the closure he yearns for, is truly heart-wrenching. That final scene in the episode where 51 supports Pascal at the funeral is incredibly touching and beautifully captures the raw emotion of the moment. It brings to mind "The Chicago Way," reminding us of when Brett, Casey, the team, and the Chicago community came together to support a grieving husband, showcasing the strength of their bonds. 

Overall, I give this episode 9/10.

Chicago P.D. "Seen and Unseen"

When Burgess finds peace to get paperwork done at a local diner, a shooting occurs, but who was it? That lies within Burgess to remember those who have been there alongside her the last few days since she came in. 

The team goes through everyone that has been there, from a member of a local gang to even a man who had given the manager trouble with his order, who happens to be a grieving husband who lost his wife not too long ago and is trying to commit suicide. But Bugress gets the answer that the manager/waitress's husband was the shooter due to his wife turning him in to the police for stealing money. 

During the team's search of the suspect's home, Burgess and Ruzek discover that he had been hiding in the attic, skillfully dodging gunfire from the suspect. In what turns out to be one of the most memorable Burzek moments of the season, Burgess counts to three, and the two spring into action- Ruzek takes the shot while Burgess bravely makes her way to the attic, leading to a dramatic turn of events. 

When Burgess tries to get her report/paperwork done for the Deputy Chief, she realizes she's missing the signs of making time for her family, especially with Ruzek and the wedding planning. So she drops her paperwork and makes plans for her and Ruzek for the weekend in downtown Chicago just for the two of them. Nice!!

"Seen and Unseen" was another tremendous character-driven episode featuring Burgess! It beautifully showcases her detective skills as she recalls those at the diner. Plus, we were treated to so many wonderful Burzek moments, from their delightful family time to that thrilling scene where Adam and Kim worked together to take down the suspect (wasn't that just a badass moment or what?).  

Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.

What did you think of this week's episode of One Chicago? What was your favorite episode or moment? Leave a comment below. 

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You can catch One Chicago Wednesdays, beginning at 8/7c on NBC, and watch the next day on Peacock.