Chicago Med - Us - Review

“You’re family. We rise and fall together.”

I continue to be amazing with the writing of this show. Much like Chicago Fire, this show balances the personal and professional perfectly. And with only a handful of episodes remaining in season one, big changes seem to be in store for the crew at Chicago Med.

The focus this episode is on Natalie as she decides what to do about Helen’s request to have Owen christened. I like Helen now, I really do. So I hope this isn’t the start of an ongoing Natalie vs. Helen dilemma. Natalie confides in Will, who immediately suggests she contact his priest. I can’t tell if it’s just the situation or what, but something between these two seems off. More on that in a bit…

With the help of April, Natalie treats a little boy, Eric, who comes into the ER after swallowing magnets. Eric’s dad is a former Bears player (love it) and happens to be single, attractive, sweet, and a great dad (really love it). He takes a liking to April and asks her to get coffee, and she says no. April! That was the wrong answer! Thankfully, April later changes her mind. I hope we see more of Mr. Jenkins, I could really get used to having him around.

After viewing test results, Natalie asks Connor for a consult. Both advise Mr. Jenkins to give approval for surgery to remove the magnets, though he’s hesitant to, as he can’t get ahold of his ex-wife. Natalie lets her personal life affect the case a bit, telling Connor he has no idea how difficult it is making tough decisions as a single parent. But when Eric starts vomiting blood, the only option left is surgery.

Connor begins the operation as Natalie looks on. Things get a little dicey and with no time to call another surgeon, Natalie steps in to help. I know she’s not a surgeon, but these two worked well together in the OR. Not only that, but I got the feeling Natalie really enjoyed surgery. Is it possible for her to switch specialties? I honestly have no idea.

While surgery is thrilling, it’s what happened after the surgery that made me excited. I’ll just say it—Natalie and Connor have fantastic chemistry. Natalie tells Connor about the baptism dilemma with Helen and receives some helpful words of advice. “I always kinda envied the kids who went to church. They were part of something; it’s like they had their own tribe.” Heeding Connor’s words and compromising with Helen, Natalie has Owen baptized in the hospital chapel with the Chicago Med family in attendance.

A few episodes ago, Will confessed his feelings to Natalie. Since then, something has been off between the two. Later, following Maggie’s advice, Will backs off with Natalie.

“Natalie, it’s your life. I want whatever’s best for you. I need to move on.”

She had a strong reaction, but I can’t tell what kind of reaction it was. Was she relieved? Was she sad? I honestly don’t know.

What I do know is that Natalie and Connor had great chemistry in this episode. I don’t necessarily mean romantic—though there’s potential. I’m not crazy, right? There’s definitely a spark there. And before the series started, we saw the same promo on repeat—a promo that made it seem as if it would be Connor and Natalie, not Will and Natalie, who would have a romantic storyline. But since the series began, these two really haven’t had any scenes together until this episode.

I definitely don’t think we’re done with the Will and Natalie saga. But I also think there’s potential for Natalie and Connor, and I’m surprisingly all for it (did I just jump ship?). Connor is much more mature, level-headed, and perhaps even the better man for Natalie. Maybe I’m reading way too much into it, but I don’t hate the idea of a well-done love triangle (key words being well done). And in any love triangle, I’d argue it’s the non-romantic “link” that is the most interesting, which is this case, would be Connor and Will.

Elsewhere…

Ethan has Daniel consult on a case involving a man who tried to cut off his own arm, claiming it’s not his. The patient, Mr. Tacker, has felt since he was little that his arm was just not part of him. Daniel diagnoses Mr. Tacker with BIID, Body Integrity Identity Disorder, and of course, Ethan has a hard time believing it. Why does Ethan always get the these cases? For a guy who puts little to no stock in psychological disorders, he certainly ends up on plenty of cases of that nature.

Mr. Tacker seems like a reasonable guy, but the treatment plan is going too smoothly. He’s clearly up to something. Sure enough, he dupes even Daniel. Mr. Tacker manages to slip his restraint and cut off circulation to his arm badly enough that in order to save his life, the arm needs to be amputated. Oddly enough, it’s the outcome best for everyone—Mr. Tacker is happy, healthy, and the doctors kept him alive.

Sharon tells Maggie her husband is retiring at the end of the school year. He wants to go to the Maldives, and he wants Sharon to retire with him. Meanwhile, Maggie struggles with a bed pan order. Yeah, I’d take the Maldives. I don’t think Sharon will retire, as that would mean she would leave the show. But who would turn down the Maldives?

Sarah is just about done with med school! It’s Match Day, the day when Sarah finds out what her residency program will be and where she’ll be doing it. Going back several episodes, Sarah decided to go into pathology after giving a patient advice that was flat-out ignored. And while she’s nervous about what her match will be, it seems things with her adorable pathology boyfriend Joey are going well!

Later in the ER, an obnoxious patient presenting with a sinus infection pesters Sarah for attention. When that patient later crashes, Sarah realizes it’s not a sinus infection; the man has spinal fluid coming out of his nose. Yuck. A burr hole need to be drilled in his head, and Ethan brushes Sarah off, telling her to do it (which is illegal, but whatever, this is TV so medical licenses aren’t actually in jeopardy). She of course successfully drills the hole, and you can see the look on her face: Sarah does not want to be a pathologist.

When Sharon later chastises Sarah, Ethan is quick to step in.

“I’ve had extensive clinical experience with student Dr. Reese. I have full faith in her abilities. If you disagree with this patient’s treatment, your disagreement is with me.”

At the end of the hour, Sarah receives her residency orders: Pathology at Chicago Med. It’s a bit of a letdown, but I’d be surprised if she doesn’t manage to pull off a switch.

A woman is brought into the ER and though the doctors, led by Connor, do their best, it’s determined she won’t wake up. Will handles the case moving forward and breaks the bad news to the woman’s husband. He responds with a strange request; he wants her eggs harvested so they (he) can still have a baby.

Surprisingly, that’s actually allowed, but a wrench is thrown into that plan when Will is told the wife had an IUD. And though the husband claims he and his wife were trying to have a baby, the birth control says otherwise. And despite Will, Sharon, and the hospital disagreeing, the husband is legally able to move forward with the egg harvesting. Strange.

Will receives word that Jennifer Baker, who is in the placebo in the drug trial, is going downhill fast. Later in the hour, things get a bit uncomfortable as the Baker family leaves the hospital, as Jennifer is too sick to continue the trial. Jennifer passes away not too long after, and Will watches the service from afar. Jennifer’s husband, who always seemed to be on middle ground with the whole DNR and lawsuit that followed, surprisingly thanks Will.

“Thank you. Thank you for not giving up on Jen.”

The hour closes with the Halstead brothers talking about Jennifer Baker.

“You cared. I think if we care, then whatever happens is for something. We might not see the affect, but it goes out there and it circulates around. It makes us all better.”

What did you think of the episode? Will Sharon retire? How will Sarah find her way back to the ER life? Did you see sparks between Natalie and Connor? Share your thoughts below!

About the Author - Meghan Reynolds

A Colorado native, Meghan was born a raised a Denver Broncos fan. Aside from football, she loves television and some might say watches too much of it. Some of her favorite shows of the past and present include Galavant, The Blacklist, The Office, Veronica Mars, The 100, and Gilmore Girls. She reviews Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med for SpoilerTV.