Chicago Med Season 2 Episode 16 Review: Prisoner's Dilemma
Elizabeth Harlow
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The only way to get over something is to power through.
At least that was April's attitude on Chicago Med Season 2 Episode 16. Okay, so it was really more of an "ignore it and maybe it'll go away" attitude, but both end up with her showing up to work unscheduled and brushing off all offers of sympathy.
Noah's attempts to be a caring little brother almost made me like him, but then I remembered how he's such a little weasel. I guess he's just not a sociopathic little weasel, which is something at least.
His offers of food based comfort were endearing. And he finally got it right in the end, just being there for his sister. Honestly, both of the Sexton siblings had some work to do on relating to each other during this tragedy.
This was a total reversal of their usual roles. I'd really like to see that explored more, but I kind of doubt it will be. While the #OneChicago universe is woven together with sibling relationships, this is the first pair on the same show, and Noah isn't even a regular.
The opportunity to delve deeper into their complicated relationship would make me itch as a writer, but the setup of Med doesn't really allow it.
With so many people offering condolences, I was surprised to see that Dr. Charles wasn't among them. Not even a pat on the back from our esteemed head of psych. April really could have used some words of wisdom instead of being left to flounder through this and piss of Choi in the process.
It wasn't any surprise that Choi was inclined to be by the book with Zulmira. Sure, he may have inveigled the hospital into performing surgery on a panda bear, but he's still a military man.
I attribute Jeff's softheartedness to his time at Firehouse 51 more than anything else. That place turns all that pass through it into big old softies.
When you can't talk, you don't get to say nothing.
Maggie
The case with Nat's patient was hard to watch, though not nearly as bad as I expected it to be. The focus became much more on Nat's inability to give up on the patient than on what had actually happened to the poor woman.
My favorite thing about the case (and yes, it's weird to have a favorite thing about a case where a seemingly comatose woman get raped, I know) was Dr. Abrams.
I've stated my affection for the head of neurosurgery before (Gaffney must be top notch with department heads always running down to do consults by the way), but his softness with patients really shone through on this case. I just keep praying they make him full time.
Speaking of department heads, Latham had quite the break through! He was telling the worst kind of dad jokes, but his attempts to bond with the team were adorable, and his analysis of why jokes are important made him even more endearing.
I totally get why he got freaked out enough to decide to (temporarily) suspend treatment. It was obvious something like this was going to happen.
Dr. Latham: Uh, just a moment. Uh, one more thing -- more of a question really. What does a Jewish pirate say? [blank stares from staff]
Connor: I -- I beg your pardon, Dr. Latham?
Latham: Ah. What does a Jewish pirate say? [more blank stares] "Ahoy vey." [Still more blank stares] Get it? "Ahoy vey?" [Connor and others start to laugh]
Connor: That is a good one, Dr. Latham.
Latham: Jewish humor. Long tradition.
There's lots of apocryphal statistics on the number of surgeons, lawyers, and professors that are on the spectrum; and the idea that the disorder gives them the distance and focus to achieve success. Latham totally fits that archetype.
It was clear that he was rushing into this treatment too quickly. I can't even imagine what it would be like, except as something like suddenly being able to see after being blind your entire life.
At least Latham's Asperger's gave him an excuse for making dad jokes. Dr. Charles is just plain corny.
I really hope that we find out what happens with Nancy down the road. Dr. Baker was a little fishy with the way she so defensive about her diagnosis. I mean, if you feel confident in you assessment, you wouldn't have a problem letting someone else review your work, would you?
Sarah's approach to this case supports my theory that she'll be offered a place in the ED as soon as one opens up. And I don't think that will be much longer. I'm just still not sure if she'll stay in psych with Dr. Charles or head back down to the ED with Choi.
Losing hope is not a sign of mental illness. It's a sign of being human.
Daniel
Her interrupted conversation with Wheeler would have worked better as foreshadowing for Chicago Med Season 2 Episode 17 ("Monday Mourning") if the teaser hadn't blatantly given away the ending of this arc. Wheeler will be stepping off (literally off the rooftop of Gaffney) in the first few minutes.
While I suspected he'd exit through a relapse with alcohol or a Dear John letter, the writers have decided to emulate ER once again with a resident suicide. This way everybody gets to feel guilty! Especially Sarah, who didn't see the warning signs and is now in a position to benefit from his death.
Life goes on, even when a coworker jumps off the top of your hospital, and so the rest of the ED team must treat patients. Choi and Will, who have always had a pretty good relationship (Will's nice to residents he doesn't want to date), are finally going to have a face off.
Sarah: How do you learn to make that call?
Daniel: Tourist asks a New Yorker, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" Practice.
If you missed any of this season, not to fret, you can watch Chicago Med online with us here at TV Fanatic. Maybe a binge session will reveal Will's work history, since based on his comments to Sarah, his career as a plastic surgeon in NYC was just a creation of a fever dream.
Let us know your thoughts on "Prisoner's Dilemma" in the comments section below! Was Nancy nuts, or a victim of the system? What should Sarah do when that ED position opens up? Where has Joey disappeared too? Or Nina? Or Robyn? Would you have reported Zulmira? We want to know!
Elizabeth Harlow was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She left the organization in October 2018.
