Chicago Med Season 11 Episode 2 Review: A Game of Inches

Chicago Med Season 11 Episode 2, “A Game of Inches,” welcomes back everyone’s favorite troublemaker, Will Halstead. While fans knew of Halstead’s return prior to the episode, the ending shocks everyone with Natalie Manning returning as well.

However, her return comes accompanied by the news that Owen has been shot after a woman came into the hospital armed and looking for the drugs inside another patient. Even though we don’t know Owen’s fate yet, it is sad to see the couple coming back after all this time to a tragedy that disrupts their lives.

Yet Manstead shippers are happy to know their ship is sailing smoothly and with a baby on the way.

Halstead returns to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center in the same manner he left: causing trouble for all the right reasons. As per usual, his ways don’t fit with everyone, and there is tension between him and Frost as he refuses to back down.

And of course, it is once again Goodwin who has to get Halstead back in line. The deja vu we feel seeing him in her office is the same as the characters feel, but this time the conversation is different as she offers him parenting advice instead of a reprimand.

But once again, Halstead’s rebellious, bending-the-rules behavior is accompanied by a good heart, which Goodwin also points out. He is simply trying to help a patient in need, and that is why he is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure the kid is safe.

Sadly, this is the same behavior that puts Owen right in the line of fire.

While Halstead’s return brings joy and tragedy to Chicago Med, Ripley and Archer bring chaos, a few good laughs, and finally peace. 

Everyone knew when Archer was revealed as Asher’s baby daddy that things would get complicated with Ripley. Even though he seemingly was okay with it, it becomes more obvious on “A Game of Inches” that he isn’t okay with it at all.

The beauty of Chicago Med is that the show knows how to balance the medical storylines with the personal ones perfectly, and the fight between Archer and Ripley happening while they work together is great. Their egos come out to play as they operate on the patient, making it seem they will be unable to navigate the surgery.

However, their mutual disdain for the representative in the OR pushes them to work together and get the best result for their patient. Ultimately, this leads to Ripley showing how far he has come and the growth he has experienced throughout the seasons as he is the one to congratulate Archer on the baby.

This bigger man behavior puts an end to their tension, at least for now. But it might not put an end to the gossip happening around the ED.

The nurses love to talk about Dasher (thank you, Doris, for the reference), and everyone is pointing out the age difference between Archer and Asher, making him feel a bit old. However, the only comment that truly doesn’t sit well with us is Frost calling Archer a shark. The duo’s past clearly tells us he was never waiting for Ripley and Asher to break up.

Chicago Med Season 11 is going to be a wild one. We’re only two episodes in, and we’re already waiting to see if a fan-favorite couple’s son dies or not.

Asher’s baby storyline will keep us on the edge of our seats because even though things seem to have calmed down between Ripley and Archer, there is more between this trio. Hopefully, it will be explored further.

---

What did you think of this episode of Chicago Med? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

Critic Rating:

Audience Rating:

 

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

Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!