Chicago Med Review: Some Things Are Worth the Risk (Season 6 Episode 12)
Some things are worth the risk, but not this episode.
Chicago Med Season 6 Episode 12, “Some Things Are Worth the Risk,” gets an A for effort, but unfortunately, we here at Tell-Tale TV rate by stars. Chicago Med really does try — exploring intricate relationships in a weird trio of Virani, Will, and Natalie, but it just goes too far.
“Some Things Are Worth the Risk” also tries to expand on Dean Archer, but this effort is too much, too fast, and too predictable.
Even Dr. Charles’ plot doesn’t seem like it’s going to pan out interestingly, that is if his stalker plot heads in the direction that this episode lays the foundation for.
Overall, this is a disappointing episode, one that is hopefully a blip in the season.
One of the most striking parts of this episode is how far Natalie goes to find a solution for her Mother’s medical condition.
Crossing lines is understandable in a situation like this, but this is a cycle that seems to never end for Natalie (and Will). Natalie’s actions put Will directly in the crosshairs, and she should know that.
For the most part, Will and Natalie’s leveled-out friendship has done favors to them both when it comes to their character development, but this is ten steps back for her — not only does this arc jeopardize Natalie’s character, but also the integrity of Med as an establishment as well.
Chicago Med is no stranger to bending the rules. In fact, sometimes we count how many rules were broken in a single episode.
And there’s no indication that Manning is leaving the series… which means the show will have to let her off somehow. Some rules are made to be broken, and some really really aren’t, especially ones that could not only put herself at risk but also her ex-boyfriend and coworker.
Let’s just hope Marcel doesn’t get dragged into this.
“Some Things Are Worth the Risk” also attempts to put a spotlight on Dr. Archer when an in-field emergency triggers his PTSD.
Putting a spotlight on mental disorders is a good and needed thing to break stigmas, but Chicago Med can do better than relying on the same overused trope of Dr. Archer’s scenario — not that his condition affects him, but the way dramas tend to characterize all people with this condition similarly.
Representation should be diverse, including how the media portrays people with disabilities.
Show us not only people who struggle to accept their diagnosis to Dr. Archer’s point but show us as people asking for help, people searching for help but have trouble finding it, people who face barriers in accessing treatment (including access to healthcare), so on and so forth.
That is how to break a stigma.
Placing these arcs should be handled with more care and with better timing.
With a character as newly introduced as Dean, there’s not much time for us to get acquainted enough with this character and his relationships to have the emotional attachment for this to land.
Our last complaint, or more of a fear, associated with this episode is with Dr. Charles’s arc with his attached patient. This arc was entertaining enough, until the developments that “Some Things Are Worth the Risk” brings.
While nothing yet is set in stone, Chicago Med gives us the eerie feeling that Anna is somehow going to be involved.
Dr. Charles has had quite a traumatic few seasons in regards to his family, and for his patient to perhaps threaten Anna due to jealousy would be a lot.
Though, these developments are purely a matter of personal taste. It all depends on point of view if this sinking feeling is a good thing or a bad one.
Chicago Med hones in on its weakness on “Some Things Are Worth the Risk.” Failing not only its characters’ growth but its representation of serious issues just leaves us disappointed and hoping that this won’t become the norm.
Sometimes this show fumbles and pushes us to ignore practicality, and it’s easy enough to look past because this show can be fun, but sometimes, it’s just not worth the risk.
What did you think of this episode of Chicago Med? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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Amanda Reimer
In addition to working as a freelance writer, Amanda also works with animals and stage manages various live performances. She has an invested interest in the perspective and experience of fandoms as well as anything in the science-fiction genre. She also loves spoiling her cats, Drummer and Kiki.