It’s a big week for Chicago Med fans, not solely because we have another jam-packed episode on our hands but because it’s our last shift at Gaffney for a full month. After season 11 episode 12, the One Chicago shows will be off the air for three weeks for the Olympics, but when they return, it’s time for the highly anticipated triple crossover event on March 4.
But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves! In last week’s episode, Charles dealt with a devastating loss when he was reunited with medical school friends. Unfortunately, one of his old friends didn’t survive a serious surgical procedure. However, this week, things could be looking up for him as he returns the favor by mentoring a group of med students.
While Charles faced his past last week, Frost will have to continue to untangle the complicated web of his own past, which could mean another drop-in from his former co-stars. As the Gaffney team continues to work together on the ground (including new flames Ripley and Lenox, and don’t forget Archer and Kingston), Goodwin handles a medical emergency on an airplane.
Let’s dive right into Chicago Med season 11 episode 12 with a recap of every twist and turn. Warning, major spoilers from the episode are ahead, and we’re updating this post live!
Goodwin worries should could be getting fired
The episode opens with Goodwin approaching the plane with other board members to attend the board meeting that has everyone stressed. Back at the hospital, a med student catches Ripley and Novak making out in the lobby. She’s one of the students with an interest in psych Howie suggested to shadow Charles. While chatting with Asher about Novak, Frost receives a call from an unknown number that seems to rattle him. Lenox expresses her frustration at men (Ripley) wanting intimacy.
Just as Charles begins to work with his three students, parents rush into the ED with their unconscious son Billy who has been seriously injured. The students look on as Lenox begins treating him in horror. Frost treats a teenager named Kiana, who recently moved to Chicago from Hawaii and unexpectedly passed out. On the plane, Goodwin speaks with Miranda after their recent blowup about the next round of budget cuts. There’s still intense tension coming from Miranda.
Goodwin realizes that Miranda appears to be trying to cut her from the budget. Frost and Asher analyze Kiana’s blood test results and come to the conclusion that, as she joked, she might actually be allergic to the Midwest. The ED receives two more patients, brothers opening a pizza shop together, and Enzo attacked Dante with a pizza cutter. Enzo is fighting the restraints of his bed, yelling about “spilling” his brothers guts, which he sure did.
Dante’s condition requires surgery, and Charles and his students consult with Enzo about his psychosis. He explains that something came over him that made him paranoid about Dante taking over the business. Enzo doesn’t understand why he has these unexplainable thoughts while he’s around his brother. On the plan, Goodwin approaches Miranda when she notices her shaky hands. She explains she was in a minor car accident earlier, and Goodwin rushes to action.
Frost finally answers the random number that keeps calling him, but she’s there in person. It’s his mom, who he hasn’t spoken to in 14 years. He holds onto hard feelings about his parents stealing his money. She asks Frost to meet with her and his father for dinner, but he’s pulled away when Kiana has an allergic reaction to the infusion and went unconscious.
Does Goodwin save Miranda’s life on the plane?
Asher and Frost assure Kiana’s mom and future stepfather Steve the Denist that Kiana will be okay with her rare condition, but she would ultimately do back to normal if they returned to Hawaii. Kiana’s mother worries about having to give up love to keep her daughter healthy. Meanwhile, one of Charles’ med students suggests that Enzo could be experiencing folie à deux, meaning Dante is transferring his own delusions on his brother, who experiences them just by being around him.
Charles takes Quentin aside to ask him about how he’s doing, and he admits that he isn’t interested in ED psych because he would prefer to have a better work-life balance He envisions having a private practice, but Charles insists that no matter how he practices in the field, it’s going to be hard work and he should reconsider being a doctor if he doesn’t want to put his whole soul into it. Up in the air, Goodwin calls the ED and speaks with Naomi about Miranda’s condition for assistance.
Naomi realizes that Miranda’s bleeding into the sack around her heart and will need to have emergency surgery. Based on the supplies Goodwin has on board, Naomi walks her through the procedure, but her fears leads Naomi to consider another option. When Goodwin explains the life or death circumstances, she agrees to the procedure. After Quentin’s talk with Charles, he finds him skipping lunch and speaking with Enzo.
He has a new theory that his psychosis is environmental brought on by Celiac disease. Charles celebrates Quentin’s idea, but he already ordered a test and it came back positive. He lets Quentin have his moment, though. Kiana wakes up and she’s excited that they’re returning to Hawaii, unaware of what her mom sacrificed. During the procedure, the plane experiences turbulence and Goodwin loses communication with Naomi. Panic ensues, but Goodwin remains calm and follows through.
The medical students are pleased with the outcome of Dante and Enzo’s case, but they’re heartbroken when they discover Billy has died. Outside of the hospital, Frost meets his parents at the diner, and he’s hesitant to sit down. He expects them to ask for money. Finally, his dad admits that he has MD and they want to reconnect. But Frost turns them down. Novak later helps he realize he might regret it in the future. Charles wasn’t able to get through to one of the students, but he inspires two.
Chicago Med returns on Wednesday, March 4 at 9/8c.
