Chicago Med Review: The Space Between Us (Season 4 Episode 17)
One Chicago is back after a while away and kicks off with a crash and plenty of tension between most of the doctors and nurses on Chicago Med Season 4 Episode 17, “The Space Between Us.”
It seems like Chicago Med always finds a way to really illustrate the episode titles throughout the hour and this time it’s between the tension-rife (former) couples and one pair of patients, with the latter providing the hour’s gut punch.
Space for Connor and Ava, much-needed space at that, comes as the pair try to save a man with a heart tumor.
Though physically they spend most of the hour close, it’s the emotional space they’ve got going that makes the story engaging and has me curious about where it goes. Trust is obviously a significant issue; given the lies, she fed Connor while they were together.
It’s what makes Connor’s decision to go with Robin’s idea when it comes to a surgical strategy that much more cutting, as Ava asks why they should go with the unpublished and unheard of strategy.
Connor: I trust her.
There’s something about the look and the way it’s said that makes those three words more pointed, and if Ava’s expression as she stares into the recovery room is any indication, she’s definitely feeling the sting.
The question now, though, is where do they go from here and is Robin sticking around longer than we think?
Meanwhile, Will and Natalie are dealing with their former relationship with far less tension, a few longing looks, and even a bit more resolve in terms of the end of their relationship.
Their story, from Will returning his keys to Natalie with Phillip and his daughter, feels like a chapter ending and a possible return to friendship in a way. It seems like the most logical choice in their case, offering a bit of closure on each of their parts with Will’s final words to Natalie.
The emotional crux of the episode, though, is the story of two cystic fibrosis patients. It’s one of the more emotionally affecting stories of the hour thanks to seeing the couple deal with the physical space between them while still managing to be grateful that they can even share a video screen.
It’s honestly one of those heartbreaking stories seeing Ben be so very close to having new lungs only to lose it because his body betrays him.
The moment is even more devastating seeing his girlfriend, Lisa’s, reaction to the news and the offer of taking the lungs to save at least one of them.
Their final moments together, really together, without glass between them is absolutely the painful highlight of the episode.
Random Thoughts
- There’s something about Dr. Charles’ need to control everything that is extremely off-putting and feels it goes beyond just his emotions getting the best of him throughout the hour. It feels like just another example of it.
- Ethan and April’s story has that solid bit of tension, but it feels like their indecisiveness about where they stand (despite their verbal assurances that they’re done) won’t be ending anytime soon. The question now is, how will it end (or start again)?
What did you think of this episode of Chicago Med? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Chicago Med airs Wednesday 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.