One Chicago Recap: Chicago Med "We All Fall Down"/Chicago Fire "Kicking Down Doors"/Chicago P.D. "Consequences" Season Premiere

 

The season premiere of One Chicago aired this week, bringing some much-needed questions that need answers, along with some shocking reveals that truly caught us by surprise. Here's my recap and review. 

Chicago Med "We All Fall Down" 

The season premiere of Chicago Med, "We All Fall Down," didn't hold back, immediately answering the biggest cliffhanger from last season: Who is the father of Hannah's baby? Well, it wasn't much of a shock that it’s Dean Archer, even though he is surprised and blames "Crunch Berries" for the whole situation.

The Asher-Archer Revelation

The episode picks up six weeks after Hannah shares the news with Dean. She hasn't been sharing the happy news with anyone, which initially has Archer thinking she might be embarrassed. However, it’s more of a personal reflection for Hannah; she’s scared about having a baby, and he, too, is worried, mainly about having a kid at his age.

The rumor mills are running at Med, where Ripley learns the shocking news after everyone assumed that the baby was his. But after reflecting on the news, Ripley makes a leap: he decides to take his relationship with Sadie (the mother he helped save last season) to the next level. It looks like they’re officially going for it.

Crisis and Compassion

The ED is overwhelmed with injuries following a building collapse. This tragic event leaves one family without a father and husband, and a patient is left feeling guilty that someone had died while attempting to rescue him, a situation that Dr. Charles helps him navigate.

Meanwhile, Lenox, who is striving in her work despite her medical condition, helps treat two sisters who were victims of the collapse. One sister has a broken arm bone that has pierced the other sister's spleen, prompting Lenox and Abrams to perform surgery. When complications arise, Abrams calls the time of death, but in an incredible moment, Lenox proves him wrong by regaining the patient's pulse after coding for twenty minutes.

After all she's been through, Lenox is finally ready to take Abrams' advice and see the specialist he recommended for her condition. Not only that, but she's decided to live a little, going out and meeting a guy for a nightcap.

Final Verdict

"We All Fall Down" was a strong episode that featured exciting moments and had a profound emotional impact. The storyline with Dr. Charles helping the grieving patient was moving, and it was powerful to see Lenox striving in her work, even while being honest with her patients about potential outcomes. Sarah Ramos delivered a standout performance in this episode.

The Asher-Archer baby storyline is definitely unconventional. While not everyone supports it, the intense chemistry between Asher and Archer in the last few seasons makes the pairing feel right for the story. This will be more than just co-parenting before the baby is born.  

Was it the absolute best season premiere episode? Not quite, the show has undoubtedly had some better ones, but it was a solid start to the new season. And the anticipation is only building: next week's episode isn't just the 200th, but it features the return of an OG, Dr. Will Halstead. I can't wait!

Overall, I give this episode an 8 out of 10.

Chicago Fire "Kicking Down Doors" 

Just when the season finale left us with big smiles, the season premiere, "Kicking Down Doors," shattered that happiness, striking us right from the start. This episode hinted that this season will be Firehouse 51's most challenging journey yet.

Stellaride Faces a Heartbreak and a Surprise

The most significant blow came when Kidd and Severide learned she had a miscarriage. It was an unexpected punch to the gut that was genuinely heartbreaking. As Kidd understandably becomes overwhelmed, Severide tries to be her rock while they navigate this challenging situation.

Yet, a surprise awaits when the adoption agent approaches them with an opportunity to foster a teenager about to be released from the system. It’s a huge decision, and once again, we'll see how this development and the journey toward conceiving again navigate Stellaride this season.

New Dynamics and High-Stakes Demands

There's a new face at 51, and it wasn't by any means Kidd's choice. Sal Vasquez is introduced, bringing an overconfident and bold attitude that quickly alarms Kidd when he doesn't follow her orders during a call. Kidd tries to tell Pascal that Vasquez isn't a fit, but Pascal leaves her with the impression that she needs to make it work, as this mandate is coming from the very top.

I like Vasquez! He adds a fresh dynamic to the firehouse and alters the relationship with Novak. His confident, no-nonsense attitude creates a unique vibe, and I’m eager to see how his character evolves and learn more about his story. Is it too early for a relationship with Novak? Maybe!

The premiere also begins to unfold its larger season-long story arc: a crisis in emergency response where 49 percent of calls are not being answered. Even during a drive-by shooting, 51 couldn't get police presence on site. Pascal delivers a stern warning: times are tough, and they need to handle more calls than ever before, as this will be the new normal for now. I got emotional chills when Pascal was telling 51 about the challenges ahead!

Transitions and Triumphs

It's been a few weeks since Herrmann stepped down as Lieutenant at 51, and he hasn't moved out of his office for Mouch to have. After getting a stern talking to from Cruz and seeing how much Mouch has been struggling, Herrmann decides to demonstrate his "professionalism" by offering Mouch a chance to share the office. Once again, I can't get enough of the Mouch-Herrmann dynamic, even if Mouch clearly had Herrmann in the palm of his hand to secure the shared space—a classic Mouch move!

Finally, Ritter learns from Mouch that Dwayne was injured in New York and rushes to his side. After recovering from surgery, Ritter shares the story that will end his run on the show, revealing he’s leaving Firehouse 51 to be with the man he still truly loves. While we know Ritter is on his way out, I’m glad to see him and Dwayne end up together.

Overall, the season premiere was a deeply impactful opening, and it concludes on a hopeful note, showcasing how well-prepared our protagonists are for what's to come. It was a truly admirable and strong start, creating a solid foundation for a captivating drama. I’d happily give the season premiere an 8.8 out of 10.

Chicago P.D. "Consequences" 

Will Intelligence be reinstated? The season premiere, "Consequences," puts our team in a situation they've never seen before, forcing them to operate off the books to prove their worth.

Voight Goes Rogue for the Team

The episode opens with Voight meeting Commander Devlin to discuss reinstating the Intelligence Unit to help with challenging cases, but Devlin hesitates. Voight is back on patrol when he witnesses a fatal shooting. Rather than waiting for the green light, he proceeds to find the car involved, which leads him to a bar and enlists Ruzek's help. During the process, he gets into a scuffle and meets Officer Eva Imani, who is undercover for the ATF, tracking down gun deals connected to the case.

As Voight lets Imani go, he doesn’t just stop there. He has Burgess, who is dealing with the boredom of washing dishes, follow and keep an eye on her. When their suspect starts insulting Imani, things take a serious turn, ending with the suspect being killed. Imani and Voight team up, bringing in Ruzek and Atwater to lend a hand. Together, they eventually track down their target and uncover that the guns are connected to Reid, wrapping up the loose ends from last season's villain.

The Intelligence Unit Is Back

After solving the case, Voight has a follow-up chat with Devlin. Initially, Devlin makes it clear he doesn't want Intelligence back at all. However, things take a positive turn when Voight shows his card, leading to Devlin reinstating the Intelligence Unit. Plus, Burgess and Torres get their badges back, and Imani is warmly welcomed to the team.

"Consequences" was a fantastic season opener, full of thrills and heartfelt moments as Voight works to reunite his unit and wrap up a case connected to Reid. This episode, though packed with intense scenes, brought in a lot more humor than usual, starting with Officer Imani, who didn’t hold back on jokes, like calling Voight and the team "The Brady Bunch."

Watching the Intelligence team struggle with not being a tight-knit unit and working separately added a different, more relatable touch. I can't help but smile when Voight tells Atwater and Ruzek to go back to patrol, seeing their disappointed reactions, much like kids not wanting to leave school, and Burgess dealing with the monotony of desk duty. It’s a charming demonstration of how much they need the intensity of their jobs.

Overall, I give the season premiere a 9 out of 10.

What did you think of this week's season premiere of One Chicago? What was your favorite? What wasn't your favorite? What are you looking forward to this season? Leave your comments below. 

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