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[SPOILER ALERT] Answers From ONE CHICAGO Season Premieres

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There were a lot of cliffhangers when we last visited the ONE CHICAGO world in May and over the summer we had plenty of questions. Tonight CHICAGO MEDCHICAGO FIRE and CHICAGO P.D. all returned for a new season and certainly delivered answers. Read on to find out the resolutions of all the questions we had. Spoilers if you haven’t seen tonight’s episodes, “Never Going Back to Normal”, Sacred Ground” and “Doubt”!

CHICAGO MED

CHICAGO MED — “Never Going Back To Normal” Episode 501 — Pictured: Nick Gehlfuss as Will Halstead — (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC)

1. WILL NATALIE AND WILL BE OKAY?

Both Natalie and Will survive the accident, but not without ramifications. Will rushes Natalie into the ER where she is immediately tended too. It is a bit touch and go for a while, but Natalie does wake up… to an attentive Phillip by her side claiming to be her fiance, no less. She can’t remember the accident or what happened right before it. Therefore, she has no clue that Phillip actually hadn’t proposed to her yet, despite what the rock he slipped on her finger while she was unconscious may say. Will is in better shape than Natalie, but the stubborn doctor has a couple of concerning moments when he refuses to get checked out properly and also tries to release himself against his colleagues advice. So while by the premiere’s end the pair are physically okay, it’s a bit of a loaded question because are they okay mentally and spiritually? Not so much. Will is pretty crushed by news of the ‘engagement’ and Natalie is clearly feeling uneasy about it.

CHICAGO MED — Pictured: Marlyne Barrett as Maggie Lockwood — (Photo by Nino Munoz/NBC)

2. WILL MAGGIE BE OKAY?

The stubborn head charge nurse finally gets tested and the suspected diagnosis is officially confirmed – Maggie has breast cancer. She tells Sharon the news (probably moreso because Sharon kept chasing her about it), but makes it clear that she wants no one else to know.

CHICAGO MED — “Never Going Back To Normal” Episode 501 — Pictured: Oliver Platt as Dr. Daniel Charles — (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC)

3. HOW LONG WILL DR CHARLES’ WEDDED BLISS LAST?

So far we’ve discussed a lot of not so pleasant things happening in the CHICAGO MED season premiere, but it was nice to see Dr Charles and his new (old) wife Caroline in a good place. They were meant to be on their honeymoon, but while at the hospital, he gets pulled onto a suspected schizophrenia case. She encourages him to work it and that their honeymoon can wait.

CHICAGO MED — “Never Going Back To Normal” Episode 501 — Pictured: (l-r) Brian Tee as Dr. Ethan Choi — (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC)

4. ARE APRIL AND ETHAN EXPECTING?

Short answer, no. However, the pair are working together on a case with a young boy who is sick and while watching the parents go through an anxious ordeal has April relieved that her being late was a false alarm, Ethan seems to be a be wistful and open to the idea of having kids. Is someone getting clucky?

CHICAGO MED — “Never Going Back To Normal” Episode 501 — Pictured: Colin Donnell as Dr. Connor Rhodes — (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC)

5. HOW WILL CONNOR LEAVE?

Well this storyline was dramatic – where do we even begin? Prior to the season premiere airing, we had plenty of ideas speculating how Dr Connor Rhodes would leave and whether it would be tied to the exit of Dr Ava Bekker since both Colin Donnell and Norma Kuhling would be leaving the show. We wondered if it was going to be connected to the investigation of his father’s death (it was), whether the Mayo clinic job offer from last season would still be on the table (not that we know of), or if he would end up leaving Chicago for a fresh start (he did). We may have predicted two out of the three outcomes, but we sure didn’t predict the dramatic turn of events that would push him out the door!

Connor himself was questioned during the investigation of his father’s death and an unhinged Ava confessed that she did in fact kill his father so that she and Connor could be together. Connor was clearly horrified at this revelation and when Ava realised that he was never going to go back to her, she grabbed a scapel and slashed herself. Being a doctor, she knew exactly which artery to hit and as much as Connor tried to stop her from bleeding out, the damage was done and she died while he tried to operate on her. Understandably, Connor decided it was time to hightail it out of Chicago after the drama. He quietly bid farewell to his mentor Dr Latham, as well as Sharon, but not wanting to make a fanfare over his departure he did not let everyone else know. You will be missed, Connor (and Colin)!

Side note, as one doctor leaves, another arrives. We meet new doc, Dr Marcel, this episode. He tends to Natalie but was also on Caroline’s case. He seems friendly and charming, but also not afraid to call people out. (* cough * Phillip * cough *) We’re looking forward to learning more about him!

CHICAGO FIRE

CHICAGO FIRE — “Sacred Ground” Episode 801 — Pictured: Eamonn Walker as Battalion Chief Wallace Boden — (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC)

1. DOES EVERYONE SURVIVE THE MATTRESS FACTORY FIRE?

Sadly, Firehouse 51 lost one of their own in the fire. Otis was caught in a firey explosion. He suffered third degree burns to his body and later passed away at Med with best friend and fellow firefighter Cruz by his side. After Otis’ death, there was a three month time jump where the Firehouse, in particular Cruz, are still struggling to come to terms with losing Otis. At the end of the episode, Chief Boden unveils a monument at the front of the firehouse that honors their fallen friend and any fallen firefighters to come. Otis’ portrayer, Yuri Sardarov, is an original cast member and we’re sad to see him go.

CHICAGO FIRE — Episode 722 — Pictured: (l-r) Teddy Sears as Kyle Sheffield, Kara Killmer as Sylvie Brett — (Photo by: Adrian Burrows/NBC)

2. WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH BRETT?

Brett’s arm was trapped under the rubble in the aftermath of the factory fire, but aside from the arm fracture she was fine. She did indeed follow through with her plan to move with the Chaplain and ended up in her hometown where she crossed paths with former pal Hope. Despite landing a job at the local firehouse, Brett is clearly unsettled returning to a slower paced small town life. We wonder how long it will be until she is back in Chicago.

3. ARE SEVERIDE AND KIDD IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL?

Things are going pretty well between Severide and Kidd. Casey even offers to move out so that Kidd can move in, but Severide declines the offer. Things are good and he also has Casey’s back. It’s nice to see Severide happy!

CHICAGO FIRE — “Sacred Ground” Episode 801 — Pictured: Jesse Spencer as Matthew Casey — (Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC)

4. WILL THERE BE ANY MORE JOB MOVEMENTS?

With Brett now in Fowlerton, Foster now needs a new partner on Ambo 61. There’s been a rotating pool of floaters but none have been a good fit. (This sounds familiar to the previous season premiere!) The latest paramedic temp is a model, or at least has done some modelling work. There’s also Otis’ spot on Truck 81 to fill. Ritter has been suiting up on Truck, but is worried that this is Hermann’s way of kicking him off Engine 51 after he disobeyed his orders during the factory fire. His mentor reassures him that once Truck 81 finds a new member, Ritter will be back on his crew. Casey is also copping a lot of heat (no pun intended) for calling the paramedics into the fire as backup. There is an investigation into the incident and the commands made – could Casey’s job be at risk?

CHICAGO P.D.

CHICAGO P.D. — “Doubt” Episode 701 — Pictured: (l-r) Jason Beghe as Sgt. Hank Voight, Jesse Lee Soffer as Det. Jay Halstead — (Photo by: Matt Dinerstein/NBC)

1. DID VOIGHT KILL MAYOR KELTON?

In typical P.D. fashion, the signs certainly did stack up against Voight and even Halstead wondered whether his boss was involved. Voight being evasive to Halstead certainly didn’t ease the Detective’s suspicions, but as the Sergeant pointed out, he is more senior and doesn’t need to answer to Halstead. So who did kill Kelton? It was his former right hand woman, Katherine Brennan! The way Kelton threw her under the boss and damaged her career, we can’t say that we’re surprised that she snapped and shot him in his home.

CHICAGO P.D. — Episode 622 — Pictured: Jon Seda as Det. Antonio Dawson — (Photo by: Matt Dinerstein/NBC)

2. WHAT HAPPENS TO ANTONIO?

Unlike MED‘s Colin Donnell and Norma Kuhling, we didn’t get to see actor Jon Seda return for the season premiere to wrap up his run on P.D. and the ONE CHICAGO franchise.  Antonio’s absence did play a big part in the season premiere though. Members of Intelligence are understandably concerned when Antonio doesn’t show up for work. Once Ruzek is released from jail on bail (more on that later), he starts tracing Antonio’s last movements. Here’s what we find out – his place was trashed and there were pill bottles scattered around. His car was then found abandoned in a suburban area. Ruzek thought it was because he was meeting a dealer to get more pills, but it turns out he was meeting his sponsor who offered him his couch to crash on for the night. However, the troubled detective was gone by the morning. It turns out that he called Voight, asking for help. Voight discreetly took him to a facility to get clean but couldn’t tell anyone as it would ruin Antonio’s career. We presume this is where Voight was driving in the night when we last saw him. If Antonio is only going to get treatment, could this mean he will be back some day? Or will he just conveniently decide not to return once he is clean. Antonio has been a part of the franchise since CHICAGO FIRE‘s first season, so was this a deliberate move to keep the door open for the future?

CHICAGO P.D. — Episode 622 — Pictured: Patrick John Flueger as Det. Adam Ruzek — (Photo by: Matt Dinerstein/NBC)

3. HOW LONG WILL RUZEK LAST IN JAIL?

Thanks to Voight, Ruzek made bail but don’t pop the champagne just yet. The case is still open against him and for the moment he has been stripped of his badge and gun. Since he can’t help Intelligence with the Kelton case, he keeps himself busy with trying to find Antonio. Time will tell whether Ruzek will end up in jail or not. If the storyline with Olinsky taught us anything, it’s that Voight isn’t always able to work his magic to save his team…

CHICAGO P.D. — “Doubt” Episode 701 — Pictured: (l-r) Marina Squerciati as Officer Kim Burgess, Jason Beghe as Sgt. Hank Voight, LaRoyce Hawkins as Officer Kevin Atwater, Tracy Spiridakos as Det. Hailey Upton, Jesse Lee Soffer as Det. Jay Halstead — (Photo by: Matt Dinerstein/NBC)

4. WILL THERE BE ANY PROMOTIONS THIS SEASON?

Considering that Ruzek has been stripped for his badge and gun, we’d say that pulls him out of the running for a promotion. We still have hopes for Atwater and Burgess though! As for Halstead, is his position in Intelligence now in jeopardy because of his distrust of Voight throughout this episode? The last scene between the pair was certainly filled with tension. Will he walk?

CHICAGO P.D. — “Doubt” Episode 701 — Pictured: (l-r) Tracy Spiridakos as Det. Hailey Upton, Jesse Lee Soffer as Det. Jay Halstead — (Photo by: Matt Dinerstein/NBC)

5. WILL UPSTEAD REMAIN PURELY PARTNERS OR BECOME SOMETHING MORE?

The partnership between Upstead continues to strengthen with Upton quietly listening to Halstead’s concerns about Voight and not dismissing them. She has his back, which is nice to see.

 

The ONE CHICAGO line up airs Wednesdays on NBC; beginning with the CHICAGO MED at 8-9pm ET/PT, followed by CHICAGO FIRE at 9-10pm ET/PT and concluding with CHICAGO P.D. at 10-11pm ET/PT.

RELATED ITEMS:

ONE CHICAGO Pre Season Questions
ONE CHICAGO Season Finales Round-up
Throwback Thursday Video: Our first encounter with CHICAGO MED’s Colin Donnell

Ange is the Girl from Oz who travelled the States. Teen dramas, rom-comedies and superhero shows are her weakness. She also loves a good crime and medical drama and probably watches more TV than she can handle... You can contact her at ange@nicegirlstv.com.