This week's One Chicago marked Med's 200th episode with a shocking twist: Fire says goodbye and welcomes another, and P.D. sees one of their own helping someone close. Here's a recap.
Chicago Med "The Game of Inches"
Talk about a reunion! Dr. Will Halstead made his much-anticipated return to Med in "The Game of Inches," bringing in a kid who was dropped off at the hospital. His arrival brought a sense of déjà vu, especially when he met Frost and clashed over the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan, a dynamic mirroring the very first episode, when Will met Conner Rhodes.
Case Clashes and Personal Bonds
The news about Hannah's pregnancy with Dean's child is now widely known, and Ripley is clearly struggling to process it. This tension spills over when Dean and Ripley clash over a patient who underwent an infected limb-lengthening surgery. Dean thinks the patient needs surgical removal, but Ripley disagrees. The patient ultimately chose Ripley's plan, influenced by his fiancée's admiration. The procedure gets complicated, but in a classic Med fashion, Ripley and Dean eventually find common ground over the crazy case.
Meanwhile, Halstead updates Goodwin on his life, including his plans to have a baby with Natalie and his struggle to bond with her son, Owen, who resists him. Will tries to take Owen to a Bears game instead of the hospital, and Goodwin advises Owen to express his feelings, especially by writing them down.
A Violent Climax
Halstead and Frost’s case takes a dark turn when their young patient goes missing, only to be found later. He reveals he is a drug mule helping his brother. Halstead bonds with him, and the patient only agrees to the removal surgery if Will is there. During the procedure, Lenox and Frost are surprised by a patient demanding the drugs. Will immediately senses trouble, pulls Owen down to safety, but as the woman leaves, shots are fired in the ED.
The episode ends with Dr. Natalie Manning in Seattle receiving a devastating call from Goodwin that Owen was shot, leaving her with a look of utter shock.
Final Verdict
"The Game of Inches" was an engaging episode from start to finish. I loved Halstead's dramatic comeback, and it was heartwarming to see Dean and Ripley teaming up. The shocking moment of Natalie discovering her son had been shot really hit home. As a fan, I was thrilled to see Will back in Chicago. His return brought a nostalgic touch, reminding me of the very first episode when the show was finding its footing. I really appreciated the focus on getting Halstead and Manning back, who surprisingly appeared in the ED. This was a meaningful moment for Will and Natalie's story, especially with her pregnancy.
Honestly, since watching the episode, I've felt a whirlwind of emotions about what might happen next. Manstead is the original ship of Med, and I hate to see anything happen to them, but I'm hopeful for a much happier resolution. Overall, I give this episode an 8.5/10.
Chicago Fire"Primary Search"
This week's episode, "Primary Search," was truly a wonderful hour, focusing on emotional goodbyes, new family dynamics, and complicated cases.
Ritter's Heartfelt Farewell
Ritter returns to Firehouse 51 following Dwayne's incident, but he is experiencing doubts regarding the termination of their relationship and whether they still harbor mutual affection. Violet advises him to reunite with Dwayne and informs him that he has already taken time off to return to New York. Ritter’s farewell to 51 felt less like a large sendoff and more like a meaningful, heartfelt goodbye between close friends like Violet and Mouch.
Severide's "Dad Mode"
The Stellaride fostering journey officially begins after meeting Isaiah, and Severide quickly goes into "Dad Mode." He gets tasks from Kidd and even asks Cruz for advice on what teenagers like to do (video games!). But Isaiah isn't your typical video game teen; he's focused on schoolwork. Severide still manages to bond with him when the two find a new video game to play together, which was truly a pleasure to watch. Severide is no longer just the fun uncle but a caring father figure, which was incredibly inspiring.
Dealing with the New Guy
Kidd continues working with new Squad member Vasquez, who goes "hero" during a call, attempting to save a tank about to explode, just in time for Mouch to water it down. Kidd makes Vasquez fill out a report and reflect on their mistakes. Vasquez also learns a key rule: never take a chair from the Squad's table. Despite their friction, Kidd later sees Vasquez's potential during drills. We also learn more about Vasquez when he receives a call from his father in jail following an altercation with a cop at the gun range. He finds a connection with Kidd when he realizes she has something powerful that drives her to be a firefighter.
A Bizarre Case and Friendship Goals
Elsewhere, Violet and Novak handle a bizarre case involving a woman stabbed with a knife also used for hot peppers. She claims she was cutting frozen chicken when stabbed, which naturally puzzles them. After taking her to Med and responding to another 911 call, they find a man with a burn and a deep cut. Connecting the dots, the sister reveals he’s her brother, who has bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Violet suggests getting him professional help, which the sister accepts.
Finally, the classic Herrmann and Mouch dynamic shines: Mouch gives Herrmann a large share of his earnings, a wonderful moment that perfectly captures their lifelong friendship and brings a smile to my face all over again. They truly are the definition of lifelong bros.
Overall, I’d rate this episode a solid 8.8/10.
Chicago P.D. "Open Wounds"
This week's episode, "Open Wounds," was a compelling and intense character showcase centered entirely on Torres.
Torres takes on a case involving someone he knows, and he will do anything to help and take down the suspects, even if it means working with an open wound from his confrontation with them. Throughout the episode, Torres, still dealing with events from previous seasons, feels a profound sense of numbness. The sole method by which he persists is through contemplating pain, sometimes exacerbating his injured arm as a coping mechanism. Despite his intense efforts, the victim ultimately loses their life. Torres confronts the suspect in a gripping scene that makes the viewer question how far he will go to apprehend him and what lines he’s willing to cross.
"Open Wounds" really centered on Torres, showing him at another critical moment in his grieving process as he tries to find his way back to himself. Benjamin Levy Aguilar delivers a strong, nuanced performance once more as we watch his character embark on a dangerous journey to discover his own way to cope with numbness and confront the pain. This journey may even lead to a new relationship. Overall, I give this episode an 8/10.
What did you think of this week's episodes of One Chicago? Which were your favorites and not? Leave a comment.
You can catch One Chicago Wednesdays beginning at 8/7c on NBC and streaming the next day on Peacock.
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