Photo credit: www.tvfanatic.com
Critic’s Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
3.5
Once again, the portrayal of tragic baby stories on Chicago Med has sparked conversation and reflection.
In Season 10 Episode 18, while the episode had strong moments, it raised concerns about the repeated inclusion of heart-wrenching baby deaths.
Such occurrences are indeed a real and heartbreaking part of life, but Chicago Med Episode 18 highlighted that healthy pregnancies appear to be the anomaly at Gaffney.
Lizzie’s Baby Drama Takes Center Stage
This subplot seemed minor at first, but Lizzie’s loss had significant ramifications, culminating in an emergency hysterectomy following a D&C.
This tragic turn is likely intended to deepen the conflict between Lizzie and Hannah, further complicating their already strained relationship after years apart.
However, it also adds to the growing list of heartbreaking baby losses on the series. Hannah nearly faced a relapse after a similar incident in Season 10 Episode 3.
For me, Lizzie’s story lacked the emotional weight to make it impactful, coming off as contrived drama rather than something genuinely moving.
Initially, Lizzie faces the loss of her child, persuading Dean to allow Hannah to operate on her, albeit with ethical questions lingering, only to ultimately lose her ability to have children.
While undoubtedly tragic, the sequence of events fell flat for me.
Perhaps the issue lies in the familiarity of the trope or Lizzie’s one-dimensional portrayal, focused primarily on manipulating her sister.
It’s my hope that this development doesn’t undermine the potential growth in Hannah and Lizzie’s relationship, especially after they had begun to reconnect.
Furthermore, Lizzie’s encouragement of Hannah and Mitch’s relationship feels misplaced and problematic.
Ripley’s recent behavior has been a low point for Chicago Med, and we do not need further endorsements of unhealthy dynamics.
Ripley and Hannah’s Brief Encounter
This episode had been teasing a significant conversation between Ripley and Hannah for weeks, but their interaction was disappointingly brief, with Ripley claiming he wasn’t ready to be a boyfriend.
His tendency to dominate the discussion without hearing Hannah out was frustrating and underscored the need for them to maintain distance.
Despite this, Hannah seemed to interpret Ripley’s words as a sign of his growth, demonstrating a tendency to cling to hope.
Although Archer’s perspective on personal change may be overly cynical, he might be right about Ripley’s lack of fundamental transformation.
The only sign of growth came when he prevented Frost from overreacting towards a patient, showcasing his awareness of others’ unhealthy patterns but not necessarily personal change.
Frost’s Trauma and Critical Perspective
Frost exhibited clear signs of being triggered by a couple’s social media display in this episode.
His reaction was understandable; I found myself anticipating a potential storyline involving parents exploiting their child’s health issues for online attention.
When Trey lost a snake, my suspicion that it might be a media stunt grew stronger.
The entire sequence of events felt exaggerated and veered into comedic territory rather than maintaining the seriousness one expects from a medical drama.
Frost’s response added depth to the narrative, reflecting his unresolved trauma stemming from a lack of protection during his childhood in the industry.
His heated outburst towards Dr. Charles revealed underlying issues he hasn’t fully processed but needs to confront.
Lenox: Additional Layers of Trauma
Dr. Charles encountered multiple layers of trauma throughout the episode.
Lenox’s heartfelt reflection while examining Cynthia’s scan revealed her struggle with sorrow over her parents’ passing and her apprehension about Cynthia’s condition.
Lenox’s advice to withhold information from Cynthia’s husband stemmed from her own grief, which may have resonated with Dr. Charles on a deeper level.
While he opted not to address Lenox’s commentary directly, it undoubtedly echoed with him.
Witnessing Ron’s support for Cynthia may have helped Lenox shift her perspective about forming a connection with Hayes, as she ultimately decided to explore that possibility.
This change reflects a healthy response to recognizing that not everyone is resistant to navigating through distressing situations.
The duality of the Cynthia storyline—transcending typical narratives to reveal something meaningful—contrasted sharply with the silliness of Frost’s experience.
Miscellaneous Thoughts on Season 10 Episode 18
Is Naomi departing from the series? Her farewell celebration and touching speech suggested a significant change, even as she continues collaborating with Hayes.
The surprise party was charming, although Archer’s absence was notable, as expected.
The unexplained absence of Maggie and Sharon was puzzling; viewers eagerly await their significant storylines in the next episode.
Your Turn, Chicago Med Fans
Let’s continue the conversation—your insights are invaluable.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or engage with fellow fans to keep this dialogue alive.
Don’t forget to participate in our poll to rate the episode, and let us know what you thought!
Chicago Med airs on NBC on Wednesdays at 8/7c and is available for streaming on Peacock on Thursdays.
Your engagement matters—thank you for reading until the end!
Watch Chicago Med Online
TV Fanatic is on the lookout for dedicated writers eager to share their insights. If you’re passionate about television, click here for more information on how to get involved.
Source
www.tvfanatic.com