Look, a crossover event is a tricky beast. It can either be a thrilling, intertwined narrative or a disjointed mess. Thankfully, “In the Trenches: Part Two” leans more towards the former, even if it occasionally stumbles. With the first responders trapped underground after a subway tunnel collapse, Chicago Med takes center stage in this week’s One Chicago trifecta, and the tension is palpable.
Lieutenant Kidd and Detective Ruzek, amidst the chaos of injured civilians and a lurking suspect, become unexpected partners in survival. Their scenes together are some of the episode’s strongest, showcasing – sorry, demonstrating – the strength of these actors’ performances. Above ground, Platt’s life hangs precariously in the balance, with Dr. Ripley taking a considerable gamble on an experimental treatment. It’s a classic medical drama trope, but it works because we actually care about Platt.
The plot thickens – or perhaps curdles slightly – with the revelation of Al Capone’s tunnels being used by the perpetrators. It’s a plot point that feels both contrived and strangely compelling, a reminder that Chicago’s history can be as twisted as its present-day crime stories. The discovery of the burned suspect adds a – no, complicates matters further, introducing yet another moral dilemma for the doctors of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center.
While some subplots, like Dr. Lennox’s clash with Voight, feel a bit forced, they serve their purpose in highlighting the ethical tightrope medical professionals often walk. And the daring rescue operation led by Firehouse 51 provides the requisite action beats for a One Chicago crossover.
“In The Trenches Part Two” juggles many threads. It mostly keeps them from tangling. While not every moment resonates, the overall effect is one of compelling, if slightly overstuffed, drama.
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
