Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1 Review: Sink or Swim
Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1, “Sink or Swim,” starts the season off in the most chaotic way possible. Nevertheless, it does one thing right: remind everyone why Goodwin is in charge.
With a terrible tragedy overflowing the ED, Goodwin has to step back into her RN shoes and help wherever needed. But occasionally, she has to step back and think like the boss.
Her practice in the field and the mention of her business degree make her perfect for the job. However, Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1, “Sink or Swim,” makes us wish she was a nurse more often.
She doesn’t say anything when Archer yells at her, thinking she’s a “regular” nurse. On the contrary, she asks him to treat her like he would anyone else in the ED. This shows she knows how to adapt to every situation.
A highlight of her time in the ED is her time with Maggie. The two women know each other so well that no words are needed.
This duo would have the ED running perfectly if Goodwin was more in the action than in her office. Could viewers sign a petition to make this happen? It might be less chaotic than the Archer and Lenox combo.
Watching Goodwin also take the time to teach an intern a tourniquet procedure and talk about how much she misses the action is yet another reminder of how perfect she would be if she were there all the time.
Yes, she does a great job running the ED from her office, but her presence would be better used in action a lot of times. After all, she saved a life without doctors present.
As chaotic as Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1, “Sink or Swim,” is, it does excellent fan service by putting Archer and Asher on a case together. Whether you want them to be together or love their friendship, there’s no denying they work great as a duo.
Lo and behold, they save her another life. By communicating what needs to be done and working simultaneously, they keep mom and baby girl alive.
The beauty of this friendship, however, is how different they are. That is again reminded when Asher believes the mom came back to life after hearing her baby girl.
Instead, Archer goes for the scientifically proven answer: the electricity being shot to her heart. This tiny moment between them is a pause in the chaos of the episode that lets viewers breathe for a second.
On the contrary, Archer and Lenox’s interactions catch air in our throats.
The moment Lenox is introduced as co-runner of the ED, we can tell as viewers that this won’t work. Maggie is our voice when she says maybe Archer will adjust to this change someday.
She also witnesses the tense moments between these two characters, acting as the viewers. Maggie witnesses what we witness by being between the two of them. Her face says what we’re thinking: this isn’t going to work out.
Even though they come from similar backgrounds, they don’t have the same plan to run the ED. This is even clearer when Lenox fires Zach without consulting it with Archer.
This decision seems to be the first one in a long list of disagreements that Chicago Med Season 10 promises viewers.
Knowing Archer’s past, it seems hard to believe the two will ever get along, but it’s still too early to tell.
While Lenox’s introduction is chaotic and makes us wonder if we’ll like her, Frost’s introduction is absolutely perfect.
Even though Maggie first describes him as trouble, everything he does is for a little girl. This helps viewers see his vulnerable side before we see the trouble.
Truth be told, Chicago Med always seems to find a way to introduce a troublesome doctor. It worked for Halstead but not for Zola. Will it work for Frost?
By introducing him with such a wholesome story, the show makes us wonder if the trouble he always causes is justifiable because he is doing it for his patients. Nevertheless, that doesn’t always work.
Maggie also always finds a way to bond with the troublesome doctors. She tried to guide Zola in the right direction, but it didn’t work.
She is seemingly the one trying to get Frost to work for the ED as his hospital is closing. Hopefully, she won’t regret this decision.
Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1, “Sink or Swim,” is the best way to start a milestone season. It gives viewers what they like about medical shows: a sense of urgency, a long list of cases with visible wounds, and a way to treat patients.
Viewers find peace among the chaos of an overflowing ED because that’s the show they love so much. Every doctor working a case and being present is the best way to get us hooked for the season.
Ripley’s revelation towards the end of the episode is the cherry on top. If you want trouble, the season is delivering that!
By Ripley telling Asher what truly happened with Liliana’s brother and the officer telling him someone saw him at the scene, we know this won’t be dropped. On the contrary, it might be a season-long storyline, and we’re here for it!
—
What did you think of this episode of Chicago Med? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
Follow us on X and on Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Lara Rosales
By day, Lara Rosales (she/her) is a solo mom by choice and a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature known as a Media Relations Expert. By night, she is a TV enjoyer who used to host a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things). You can find her work published on Eulalie Magazine, Geek Girl Authority, W Spotlight, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Nicki Swift, and Flip Screened.