NBC’s One Chicago universe—comprising Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med—has built a reputation for delivering intense, emotionally charged storytelling. Each show focuses on the lives of first responders in Chicago, blending high-stakes action with deep personal drama. The 2025 season finales across these series were no exception, providing a rollercoaster of emotions that left many fans reaching for tissues. Here’s how I ranked the finales purely based on how much they made me cry, from subtle heartbreaks to full-on sob sessions.
Starting with Chicago Fire’s season 12 finale, the episode centered around Lieutenant Kelly Severide’s difficult decision to step back from active duty. Unlike the usual explosive rescues or life-threatening emergencies, this finale took a quieter, more introspective route. Severide’s farewell to his team was a poignant reminder of the deep bonds forged through years of shared trauma and triumph. The absence of dramatic action made the emotional impact more personal and subtle. Watching Severide leave was like saying goodbye to a family member, and while the tears weren’t overwhelming, the melancholy lingered long after the credits rolled.
Moving on to Chicago Med’s season 9 finale, the stakes were much higher, with multiple patients in critical condition and doctors pushed to their emotional limits. This episode reminded viewers why medical dramas are so effective at pulling heartstrings—because they grapple with life, death, and the delicate hope that threads between. The doctors’ struggles with impossible decisions and the families’ grief were portrayed with authenticity and raw emotion. Several scenes, especially goodbyes and moments of despair, hit hard and brought genuine tears. The Med finale was a powerful exploration of the fragility of life, and it earned a solid spot near the top of my emotional rankings.
Finally, topping the list is the Chicago P.D. season 12 finale, which was an emotional juggernaut from start to finish. The season had been building tension and grief, but nothing prepared me for the devastating loss of a key character in the Intelligence Unit. The show didn’t hold back, offering raw, unfiltered portrayals of heartbreak and the complicated aftermath of loss. Hailey Upton’s journey, one of the most compelling arcs this season, took center stage as she and the rest of the team struggled to process the tragedy. What made this finale so impactful was its balance of sorrow and hope—the team’s vow to honor their fallen by carrying on with their mission added a cathartic layer to the story. This was a full-on sob fest, an emotional rollercoaster that left me drained but deeply moved.
What makes the One Chicago finales so effective is their commitment to showing the human side behind the badge, the stretcher, and the emergency call. They remind us that beyond the thrilling action sequences, these stories are about people—about their pain, their courage, and their resilience. The finales capture that delicate blend of professional duty and personal sacrifice, making every loss and every triumph resonate.
In the end, the 2025 season finales of One Chicago proved why these shows have such devoted audiences. Whether it was Chicago Fire’s quiet, bittersweet goodbye, Chicago Med’s intense life-and-death drama, or Chicago P.D.’s heartrending loss and new beginnings, each finale brought its own unique emotional weight. So if you’re ready for a tearful journey, these finales are a perfect place to start. Just don’t forget the tissues.
