Could "Chicago Med" be facing the potential departure of another long-standing cast member? This looming concern plagues the minds of fans as we approach the fall finale of NBC's acclaimed medical drama, which seemingly sets the stage for Steven Weber's character to bid adieu to the series.
Throughout the tenth season, Weber's Dr. Dean Archer has been grappling to establish his footing at Med, following his appointment as co-director of the Emergency Department (ED), alongside the newly appointed co-head, Dr. Caitlin Lenox. From the outset, Lenox and Archer have clashed on nearly every front regarding the management of the ED, fostering a climate of persistent friction that culminated in the seventh episode of the season, titled "Family Matters."
When Lenox decided to operate on a patient without waiting for his parents' consent, leading to the patient's demise on the operating table, Archer unequivocally voiced his disapproval. He contended that Lenox's actions were directly responsible for the teenager's untimely death, as his parents were still en route to the hospital to grant surgical consent. Archer's dissatisfaction became evident, escalating tensions between the two co-heads to unprecedented heights, making it clear that they could no longer collaborate effectively in overseeing the ED.
As the episode progressed, it became apparent that Goodwin would have to make a pivotal decision, selecting just one of the two doctors to lead the ED. Ultimately, the responsibility fell upon Dr. Lenox. As Goodwin broke the news to Lenox, most doctors remained neutral, offering political responses when asked about the ED's state. However, one doctor spoke out: Dr. Howard, who sang Lenox's praises to Goodwin, sharing how Lenox had motivated her to become a better physician and taught her more in mere weeks than she had learned in four years of medical school.
After their conversation, Goodwin revealed to Lenox that she would ascend to the sole leadership of the Emergency Department (ED), with Archer reverting to his role as a regular attending physician at the hospital. Lenox's initial inquiry centered on whether Goodwin had broken the news to Archer, and we subsequently learned that she had indeed discussed it with him prior to her meeting with Lenox. This revelation perhaps clarifies why Archer eventually made his appearance at Molly's, following an incident where he was "pinned" during a recently initiated ED game—a playful ritual where participants secretly affix a safety pin onto their colleagues, with the individual holding the pin at shift's end obligated to treat the team to drinks at Molly's on payday.
Upon Archer's arrival, an air of discomfort lingered, though we were unaware at that moment that he had come to drown his sorrows in liquid solace after learning of his demotion. The demotion itself seemed harsh, but it was the promotional teaser for the fall finale that cast a shadow over Archer's future, depicting him presenting Hannah with a resignation letter, hinting at his readiness to abandon Med in the wake of his demotion. The intrigue deepens as we await to see whether Archer will honor his intent to sever ties with Med or, perhaps, decide to stay on with the ED team despite his setback. One thing is certain: we are deeply concerned that Archer might become the latest physician to bid farewell to Med.
