The Archer-Lenox feud on Chicago Med has been simmering longer than a pot roast in a slow cooker and in “Family Matters,” it finally boils over, scorching the entire ED and leaving at least one career well-done. The episode doesn’t pull any punches, delivering a hefty dose of hospital theatrics and interpersonal conflict alongside the standard medical fare.
The central drama, of course, revolves around the ongoing clash between Archer (Steven Weber) and Lenox (Sarah Ramos). A routine case review quickly spirals into a full-blown showdown, with Archer’s accusations and Lenox’s defenses echoing through the hospital halls. Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), perpetually stuck in the middle of these professional squabbles, finds herself playing referee yet again. Her attempts to mediate are about as effective as a band-aid on a bullet wound, and eventually, she’s forced to make a tough call: one chief stays, one chief goes.
Meanwhile, other medical crises pop up like weeds in an unkempt garden. We have a DNR dilemma tangled up in a secret affair (because who has time for ethical quandaries without a little extramarital intrigue?), and a teenager’s health scare that exposes a troubling trend of weight-loss drug abuse. It’s all very serious, and the doctors tackle these situations with their usual blend of medical expertise and furrowed brows.
Away from the main stage, Dr. Asher (Jessy Schram) navigates a patient’s recovery while confronting her own past struggles with addiction. It’s a classic Chicago Med maneuver: paralleling a patient’s story with a doctor’s personal drama, and it’s handled with the usual level of sensitivity (which is to say, it works well enough). And, because every hospital drama needs a moment of levity, a seemingly innocent game at Molly’s takes an unexpected turn, providing a quick breather from all the heavy stuff.
Ultimately, “Family Matters” delivers exactly what it sets out to: interpersonal fireworks, medical emergencies, and a cliffhanger ending that leaves viewers pondering the future of the ED. The power shift will undoubtedly have consequences, and I, for one, am morbidly curious to see how it all shakes out. Let’s just hope the next case review involves slightly fewer shouting matches.
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
