Chicago Med Season 8 Episode 14: On Days Like Today… Silver Linings Become Lifelines

Chicago Med Season 8 Episode 14, “On Days Like Today… Silver Linings Become Lifelines,” is another chance to showcase Hannah Asher. 

The Gaffney team may focus on Jack Dayton’s vision for the hospital. However, this episode is a perfect opportunity to do vital character work and discover what makes Hannah Asher unique. 

Chicago Med has been steering away from character and relationship development. Instead, the focus has been on day-to-day medical cases that real-life healthcare professionals see. 

It is nice to see the show switch things up and focus on one character who does not always get her proper due. 

Hannah Asher has come so incredibly far from where she began. Her journey has been challenging to watch due to the reality of addiction. However, she shows a compassionate side that others often overlook.

Hannah has always been an underrated powerhouse in this series. So many times, the show could have made her a Strong Female Character. Instead, her character gets more profound and more relatable.

Until recently, Hannah has been shown mainly in the context of her other co-workers. Her romantic relationship with Will remains history for the moment.

This season, Hannah’s professional relationship with Dean has provided a venue to explore each of these characters individually. On this episode, it’s clear how far these two have evolved together.

While Dean may have expressed reservations about working with Hannah, this episode is proof beyond the shadow of a doubt that he trusts her judgment completely.

Chicago Med has brought these two together over the season. Hopefully, this storyline represents a turning point for them, and they can trust each other unreservedly. 

Hannah’s patient on this episode, Liza, is another heartbreakingly authentic character living with addiction. It would have been easy to dismiss a character like this and write the episode with a distinct air of superiority. 

Happily, Chicago Med takes a higher road and shows the reality of addiction while allowing this character to be fully human. 

Hannah can showcase how much she always puts her patients first, even if doing so goes against policies or established conventions.

Watching Hannah fight tooth and nail for her patients makes her character more endearing. She’s a better physician because she’s walked the same road as many of her patients. She knows their struggle.

Switching gears, Chicago Med still has a ship worth fighting for — Liliana and Dr. Charles. They are still adorable and could have a beautiful future together.

This episode does well to bring a sense of realism to a relationship like this. Already, these two are being put to the test as colleagues who have fallen in love. 

Liliana’s fight for workers’ rights is admirable. She has been in this fight for a long time and isn’t going to let a new romance deter her mission.

To Dr. Charles’ credit, he’s (kind of) ready to get on board fully. It does make sense that his idealism would come up with the practicalities of his job.

As sweet as these two are together, it is clear that they still need to reckon with the economic divide that still separates them. 

This storyline could have gotten so messy. However, if Liliana and Dr. Charles weather this storm, they are set up to face pretty much anything. This love story perfectly exemplifies how love doesn’t truly conquer all — relationships take effort.

Liliana and Dr. Charles are still unwritten. This will either turn into a love story for the ages or a candle that burned too bright too quickly.

Chicago Med succeeds when it focuses on its characters. This is the heart of the show.

While the medical drama itself can be grounding, it is always nice to take a moment to get re-acquainted with this little work family. 

Stray Thoughts:

• It’s excellent seeing Maggie calling out Crockett and trying to get him to examine his motivations for continuing to support the 2.0. This dynamic should be shown so much more. 
• As confident as Crockett is, there is something oddly satisfying about seeing him question himself in a profoundly human way. It makes him no less of a badass surgeon if he takes a step back and re-focuses on getting back to basics.
• Dr. Nellie Cuevas continues to prove herself over and over again. It would be terrific to get an episode focused on her journey to be the best doctor she can be.
• Relatedly, the kidney transplant patient is uniquely devastating. Life can be so random and cruel, and this storyline captures that. 
• Dr. Grace Song might make an interesting choice if the show wants to pair Will up with anyone.
• Sharon is forever the badass while being a top-notch friend. It’s a delicate balance. 
• Zach deserves more screen time for being so lovable and wanting to help. 

 

 

 

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Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.

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