Chicago Med Review: When to Let Go (Season 4 Episode 2)
It’s a true One Chicago Wednesday, as the whole hospital is put on alert after an apartment fire leads to an influx of patients on Chicago Med Season 4 Episode 2, “When to Let Go.”
The Med staff is dealing with the overflow of patients, including the intake of a pair of Firehouse 51’s own and the Halstead patriarch. As a result of the event, a few characters have to make some of the most heart-wrenching and difficult decisions any person could possibly make.
The hour’s non-stop action and tension during the Chicago Med portion of the crossover flows seamlessly from the first hour of the One Chicago event in a way that makes everything in the aftermath that much more impactful.
The Halstead family is dealing with their own issues as the patriarch, Pat, comes into the ED after being rescued from the apartment fire. Even though it becomes tense the minute all three Halsteads are in the same place, it’s only when things take a turn for the worst (Pat ending up brain-dead) that the real issues start to surface.
The Halstead brothers working through not only the decision of what to do with their father, but also the issues that they have had with him, elevates their story. It makes their struggles and eventual blowout that much more grounded.
Nick Gehlfuss and Jesse Lee Sofer do a wonderful job with that emotional fight scene, as Will tells Jay exactly why Gwen was so willing and patient with them.
But out of all the incoming, unfamiliar faces, it’s Blair’s story that really hits those emotional beats. After getting significant burns on her body, it’s up to her parents to make the choice of what has to be done next.
It’s heartbreaking (and initially maddening) to see Blair’s parents opt to withhold any form of treatment for their daughter and to let her go. Seeing them struggle emotionally with saying goodbye to their daughter is tough to watch, even with their explanation of why they are choosing to let Blair go.
The devastating punch in that story comes when, hours later, Blair is still holding on, continuing to fight for her life despite everything she has already been through. The look of guilt and anguish on the parents’ faces as they come to this realization is what really brings it home.
Random Thoughts:
- I really love how seamlessly put together the entire three-hour event looks and the way Chicago Med leads out of Chicago Fire and leads into Chicago P.D. Just a really well done and cohesive approach to tell this huge story.
- I honestly don’t watch Chicago Fire, so I don’t have the background, but some of Firehouse 51 comes off as overbearing or just plain annoying.
- Otis’ story is very nicely done and highlights an important issue that is only recently being spoken about more: the importance of mental health in specific fields. Otis offers a sincere answer to Dr. Charles that fits his perspective and how he is on the job.
What did you think of this episode of Chicago Med? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.