Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 8 Review: Love Will Tear Us Apart

The only part of Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 8, “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” that feels like a Fall finale is the semi-resolution of Goodwin’s stalker case. Revealing the stalker’s true identity is exactly what this mid-season finale needed to leave viewers wanting more.

At first, however, we see who sent the death threats, and it’s hard to put the pieces of the puzzle together. With the chaos of Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 1, “Sink or Swim,” it is normal that neither Goodwin nor the viewers remember who Cassidy and Wendy are.

Once the flashbacks start coming and Goodwin recalls her decision about the blood, we understand Cassidy is here to claim blood herself. And so she does by stabbing Goodwin and slowly watching her bleed out.

The scenes between Cassidy and Goodwin in her office before and after she gets stabbed are the best of the episode and some of the best work S. Epatha Merkerson has done since the show started. One can feel the pain and the desperation in her face.

However, when she calmly starts talking to Cassidy about being okay with death, we feel oddly calm as viewers. Of course, no one wants to see Goodwin die, but her calmness makes it through the screen, reminding us to stay calm because something else is coming.

It makes perfect sense that after the Lenox chaos in the ED and having demoted him, it is Archer who comes to Goodwin’s office when she needs someone to show up the most. Because it is a Fall finale, we are left hanging, just like Archer trying to press the “open doors” button in the elevator when he sees Goodwin bleeding.

When Goodwin’s stalker was first identified, we wanted more of that storyline. Having it be a man we only saw once and just hearing of his arrest wasn’t enough for a storyline that had taken up most of the season.

But now, seeing it be a woman we only saw once makes perfect sense to the story. The former employees being mad at Goodwin for firing them was only a distraction in the plot to keep us second-guessing who it might be. This reveal is the kind of plot twist we were expecting.

Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 8, “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” delivers the kind of tension, drama, and spilled blood one can expect from a death threat storyline focusing on one of the show’s main characters.

Everything else going on at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center feels insignificant compared to Goodwin almost dying on her office floor. However, there are other plotlines we must discuss.

What stands out the most from Archer’s storyline after Lenox remains the chief is his relationship with Asher. Granted, there are probably viewers who would still love to see the two of them romantically involved, but that relationship, or the lack of it, doesn’t diminish their strong bond.

When Archer tells her there’s nothing left in Chicago for him to stay, she points out that she might be a reason. And it’s true. Asher has helped shape Archer into the character he is today, the kind of character we have all come to love.

Because of this, he probably worked one shift under Lenox’s regime and only thought about submitting his resignation afterward. This bond was once strong enough to push him to make things right with his son. So, could it be strong enough to move him to stay?

We must say, though, that seeing Goodwin being attacked and bleeding might be another reason Archer stays. Nothing will be revealed until the season returns.

Reese’s return to Chicago Med falls short. It doesn’t feel like the triumphant return that one would have expected.

Watching her walk into the ED stronger than ever, killing it at her job, and doing the best for her patients would have made her appearance memorable. Instead, this one makes us wish she had never returned.

She shows that she hasn’t learned from her past and lets her past personal experiences cloud her judgment. She lets her feelings dictate what is best for her patient, refusing to listen to Charles just like she used to do when she shadowed him.

The only thing that could be highlighted or that might be memorable is Archer’s May December joke to Charles. After that, the storyline could have happened without her showing up.

The episode does give viewers a quick look into Lenox’s personal life. Even though most audience members are still on the fence about her and have yet to make up their minds about her presence in the ED, something is intriguing about her.

Her brother, who shows up in the ED, opens the door for us to see her family life. It is clear that both her parents died on the same date, and her brother’s anger toward their father tells us there is more to that story.

Hopefully, we will continue to learn more about Lenox’s past as Chicago Med Season 12 continues. After all, we must dive into these characters’ personal lives to connect with them and enjoy their storylines.

Stray Thoughts

• If anyone wondered whether Maggie’s relationship would last, this episode confirms it won’t. There was definitely chemistry between her and Frost when he first joined the show, and it is further confirmed when she mentions she doesn’t feel the spark with her boyfriend. Hopefully, this will be explored in upcoming episodes.
• Ripley doing what is right by Sully is the best outcome for this friendship. Sully’s presence helped viewers understand who Ripley was and helped Ripley realize who he is now. By giving Sully the time he needs with his girlfriend and son, Ripley forgives himself for many mistakes.

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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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