Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 13 Review: Take a Look in the Mirror

Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 13, “Take a Look in the Mirror,” is probably one of the most graphic episodes we have seen in a decade. Lenox, Archer, and Howard are surprised when a patient’s lung pops out of his chest.

This incident, as gory as it is, opens the floor for Lenox to have a moment of realization as Howard’s mentor. But it also allows viewers to enjoy Lenox’s character, giving her room to grow in our hearts as well.

Whether we’re a hundred percent convinced she is good to run the ED is yet to be decided, but this episode is definitely her most likable episode yet.

Lenox The Mentor

Viewers can’t be surprised by the fact that Archer and Lenox are able to work great together when they’re not fighting for who is in control. Even though they have a different approach to treatment and how they mentor Naomi, their knowledge and experience make them a powerful duo.

It is extremely interesting to see Archer being the one to give Lenox advice or point out her strengths when all they’ve been doing is fighting. In those moments when they aren’t fighting, the two can actually be honest and raw with each other.

If someone can understand how Lenox feels about running the ED and mentoring Howard, it is Archer. That’s why it makes perfect sense that he is the one to tell her she should be proud of the work she’s done with the young doctor.

Howard is the reason Lenox became ED chief. Her words to Goodwin pushed Lenox to the top of the list and Archer out of the way. But beyond that and a few moments here and there, we hadn’t witnessed their relationship as mentor and mentee until Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 13, “Take a Look in the Mirror.”

In true Lenox nature, she pushes Howard out of her comfort zone because she knows what she is capable of. However, we see her get upset when Howard does exactly what Lenox has been teaching her.

Because Lenox is honest and direct and doesn’t do emotions, it is hard for her to realize that she cares about where Howard matches and how she does as a doctor. This doesn’t allow her to realize that her work has been done correctly and Howard is following in her footsteps.

Ripley in Trouble

Ever since Ripley joined the doctors of Chicago Med, we have been waiting for him to mess up. His storyline is built on the fact that he used to be a troubled kid and has been trying to prove to everyone (himself included) that he isn’t that kid anymore.

As a matter of fact, he fought with Charles for several episodes because the psychiatrist didn’t seem to see beyond his past. Now, he has managed to prove himself wrong by making the same mistake his younger self would have made.

The moment Ripley recognized the man he fought with, he should have stepped away from the case. However, he is driven by remorse and guilt. Those two feelings are what pushes him to disagree with Frost and fight for a treatment that puts the patient’s life at risk.

While Frost suspects something is wrong because of how Ripley behaves and how he knows how the patient might have been hit, Ripley doesn’t confess because it’s the right thing to do. He confesses because the guilt is eating him alive.

In the past, he wasn’t the one to assault another person, but as Asher points out, the irony is that he is now in trouble for the same thing he swore he hadn’t done. Goodwin once again has to suspend him because he is a liability to the hospital.

Even though Goodwin has had her fair share of issues with doctors (hello, Halstead), she now tells Ripley she will recommend the board terminate him. Could this really be the end of Ripley in the ED?

Does Charles Know Boundaries?

If the hug between Charles and Jackie on Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 12, “In The Wake,” caught your attention, you’ll be even more surprised to know the lines of professionalism are completely gone on “Take a Look in the Mirror.”

Charles and Jackie’s entire relationship feels a bit off. Even though at first it was two people having each other’s back, the transition into the romantic field feels awkward and uncomfortable. Goodwin notices this immediately when she and Charles run into Jackie in line to get coffee.

One must never forget Charles was the doctor who admitted Jackie into the psych ward. That should steer him away from the personal relationship and stick strictly to a professional one. But things never go as they should when it comes to Chicago Med.

The professional line is completely forgotten when he shows up and testifies in Jackie’s custody trial. Not only does he perjure himself on the stand, but he also lies to himself about his feelings for Jackie.

However, Charles isn’t the only one who’s forgetting about this. Jackie goes into his office to tell him how she feels and is upset when he says they shouldn’t pursue anything further.

While we want to see both of them succeed after all the trauma from their past, is a relationship the best way to go?

Chicago Med Season 10 Episode 13, “Take a Look in the Mirror,” is, as per usual, all over the place, with several cases being discussed at the same time. This always works, so there’s no reason to complain. But it is important to highlight that on this episode the show uses one of its storylines to uplift transgender voices.

As Maggie tries to uncover what’s going on with her dementia patient, she comes to realize the patient is actually a transgender woman who has stopped receiving her hormone replacement treatment. Maggie finds a way to give this woman her voice back by making her look how she feels.

However, the most important part of this storyline is the mention of a new LGBTQ+ memory center that has been specifically created for people like Maggie’s patient. In times like the ones we’re living in, it’s important to bring awareness to the struggles the transgender community is facing and how necessary it is to create places that validate their identity and help them thrive.

Chicago Med might not always get the storylines right, but the show will always do its best to bring awareness to topics that truly matter.

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

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