The One Chicago franchise constantly keeps fans on our toes. Whether it’s a cliffhanger leaving one of our favorite characters’ fates on the line, new relationships forming, or characters and cast members coming and going, you never really know what could be in store next from Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, or Chicago Med.
Speaking of Chicago Med, the season 11 midseason premiere packed quite the punch as the episode navigated three different tense situations. While Archer and Kingston advocated for a difficult decision they made for a patient and Charles pondered the possibility of retirement after clashing with a fellow doctor, Lenox and Ripley fought for their lives.
For the first time since Lenox joined the Gaffney team in season 10, she and Ripley spent a significant amount of time together in a twisty shakeup the showrunner revealed was inspired by a particularly polarizing TV couple. However, what we didn’t anticipate was that we would be completely and fully shipping Lenox and Ripley, a potential couple we couldn’t have predicted.
Lenox and Ripley could be Chicago Med’s best ship yet
Throughout Chicago Med season 11 episode 8, Lenox and Ripley worked as a team to not only care for Faye while she suffered from severe injuries sustained by her abusive husband but to ensure all three innocent parties made it out of that basement alive. Obviously, there’s nothing romantic about fighting for survival and covering up a murder, but their partnership was a breath of fresh air.
By the time Lenox and Ripley make it out of the Carters’ basement and finishing their separate interrogations about Devon’s death, Lenox and Ripley now have something in common that they didn’t before. Sure, they were coworkers who had frequently worked on cases together before, but they never really had a personal connection that extended beyond the walls of Gaffney.
I’m not thrilled about Ripley possibly catching feelings again for someone he trauma bonded with (don’t forget, he met Sadie when he helped save her and her daughter from a well, and he nearly died), but he and Lenox found sparks with each other at the right time. They could be exactly what the other needs in this time of their lives because both need a good shaking up from their status quo.
Ripley just got out of a relationship with Sadie, who dumped him after feeling like he was trying to take care of her rather than be with her. He also grappled with the conflicting emotions of finding out Asher’s pregnant. For a split second, he thought he was about to become a father. He’s in a weird transitional place that doesn’t seem to ever including rekindling his flame with Asher.
Chicago Med showrunner Allen MacDonald told us that Asher and Ripley are done. Naturally, that leaves room for a new love interest for Ripley. Who’s a better golden retriever boyfriend for Lenox than Ripley? He comes with baggage, but he could also help her realize she should face the things (her diagnosis) that she’s avoiding to deal with.
Even if Chicago Med doesn’t explore a possible romance between Lenox and Ripley, seeing the characters come together as friends and deepening their relationship in any capacity is exactly what the show needed. They’re an unpredictable pair for sure, regardless of whether they stay platonic or get romantic, but it’s a new dynamic we’re excited to watch take shape.
