Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 18 Review: Another Tragedy Strikes the ED

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In simpler terms, “Chicago Med” Season 10, Episode 18 titled “Together One Last Time,” is a tough watch. This episode of NBC’s series presents three new cases for the week, but unfortunately, two of these stories end tragically and one doesn’t quite balance out the sadness. The intended humorous or flirtatious moments fall flat. Essentially, this episode piles on even more tension to an Emergency Department that’s already overflowing with it.

The title “One Last Time Together” centers around a man who reconnects with his former spouse, unaware that she’s the one facing a serious health issue. However, this narrative is overshadowed by Dr. John Frost’s emotional breakdown in response to overly-social media engaged parents. This drama is even eclipsed by an event involving Lizzie, a character connected to a character on “Chicago Med.” Will viewers recall these plot turns? Absolutely. Yet, this episode isn’t one that warrants repeated viewing.

Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 18 Reuses a Frustrating One Chicago Trope

A Character’s Family Member Is Once Again Used for Drama

One common criticism of the “One Chicago” series is how frequently they use the suffering of a main character’s loved ones as a means to generate tension. Characters such as parents, spouses, siblings, and children are often targeted – and many viewers feel these storylines seem unnecessary or contrived. In the episode “Together One Last Time,” this trend is evident when Lizzie Asher, after struggling so hard to conceive, is told that her baby has died. The story takes a cruel twist as Lizzie nearly dies on the operating table, necessitating an emergency hysterectomy that strips her of the ability to ever have children again. This can be seen as a case where plot developments are driven more by dramatic effect than narrative necessity.

There seems to be no significant purpose behind these events. Lizzie Asher isn’t a major character whose baby-having journey would significantly impact the storyline. It’s acceptable for her to have a miraculous baby off-screen and make occasional appearances. Compared to Dr. Natalie Manning, who was a central character with a son often featured in the show, Lizzie’s pregnancy wouldn’t disrupt Hannah’s story at all. Hannah has enough going on, as the series is still deciding how to develop her and Dr. Mitch Ripley’s stories. This episode keeps them apart, but it doesn’t feel like a permanent split. Moreover, there was a women’s health clinic that Lizzie started earlier in the season, but it didn’t receive much attention.

What stands out as excessively emotionally taxing in Lizzie’s storyline is the fact that Chicago Med has recently explored a similar family tragedy, not once but twice. In one episode, Archer’s ex-wife was off-screen killed, and then, only a week later, Lizzie’s baby dies and she undergoes a hysterectomy. Having two such stories so closely together underscores the need for this “One Chicago” trope to be discontinued promptly.

Chicago Med Further Highlights John Frost’s Personal Issues

At Least Frost and Ripley Get More Screen Time Together

“Together One Last Time” also confirms that Dr. John Frost has some deep personal issues that he needs to resolve. This episode doesn’t go back to , but it has him lash out at two parents who are more concerned with their social media presence as a would-be Chip and Joanna Gaines than with their son’s care. Miles has been bitten by a snake in the farmhouse that the duo were renovating, but his parents would rather talk about their followers and livestream from his hospital room. Viewers will totally grasp why Frost lashes out at them not once, but twice during the episode.

It’s refreshing to see actor Darren Barnet portray a more serious side of character Frost, given that he was initially presented as light-hearted and somewhat flippant. The most significant advantage of this storyline is that it’s Ripley who has to bring Frost back in line, reminding fans of the time when Frost had to correct a similarly off-balance Ripley earlier in Season 12. Barnet and Luke Mitchell share an impressive on-screen chemistry, which lends more significance to Ripley’s criticism of Frost than any other doctor could provide. However, the storyline falters when the parents appear to have changed after Frost’s lecture, only for Chicago Med to later retract this change and portray them as wannabe influencers once more.

In some TV dramas, it’s acceptable to include heartwarming resolutions occasionally. The writers could have kept the family’s transformation without criticism. Frost’s problematic behavior will still be emphasized since his public breakdown doesn’t change that fact. Moreover, assisting Frost could potentially benefit Ripley, who in this episode mentions he’s been contemplating himself deeply. This scenario holds a lot of storytelling potential, but the happy ending somewhat overshadows it.

Chicago Med’s Attempts at Humor and Romance Don’t Work Well

Season 10, Episode 18 Does Have Two Memorable Guest Stars

In Episode 18 of Season 10 of Chicago Med, there’s an attempt to lighten the heavy tragedy with some humor, but it falls short compared to previous episodes. The humor from the loose snake in the ER pales in comparison to the amusing chaos caused by loose rats in other instances. Meanwhile, Dr. Nicholas Hayes persists in his clumsy advances towards Dr. Caitlin Lenox, who eventually agrees to accompany him to an out-of-town medical conference following their work with a reunited couple. To make viewers invest emotionally in the potential relationship between Hayes and Lenox, the dialogue between them needs to feel more authentic.

In this episode, the captivating performances of Brigid Brannagh, known for her role in Army Wives, and Joanna Kerns from Growing Pains, add a touch of brilliance. Brannagh portrays Cynthia, whose relationship with her ex-husband Ron encounters a challenge when Dr. Daniel Charles suspects she has dementia. Lenox, drawing upon her own family background, believes that Cynthia’s decision to hide her diagnosis is an act of kindness towards Ron. However, Cynthia discloses the truth to Ron, and this doesn’t dampen his eagerness to remarry her, a revelation that seems to motivate Lenox.

In the character of Cynthia, Brannagh exhibits both a captivating charm and vulnerability. Meanwhile, Raphael Sbarge, beloved by many “Once Upon a Time” fans, makes a guest appearance in “Chicago Med” as Murphy “Murph” Costello. Initially, Murph is perceived as someone fabricating tales for attention or drugs, but when Naomi Howard diagnoses his real condition, the audience sees him in a new light. Rather than serving merely as comic relief, Murph, under Sbarge’s skilled portrayal, becomes relatable and human. The performances of these actors elevate “Chicago Med” Season 10, Episode 18, but the dark themes that permeate the main storylines continue to cast a shadow over the series as a whole.

Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. on .

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2025-04-19 23:24