Dr. Mitch Ripley hits rock bottom one too many times in Chicago Med season 10, and while the emotional resolution to his downward spiral is quite touching in a vacuum, a previous episode of Chicago PD actually ruins it. Luke Mitchell’s Chicago Med season 10 character has been through a lot in recent episodes. His friend, Sully, dies at the end of episode 10, leading to a string of destructive behavior from Ripley. Every harmful decision has only led to more chaos, and Sharon Goodwin later suspends Ripley from Gaffney Chicago Medical Center because she can’t cut him a break any longer.
To make matters worse, Dr. Hannah Asher breaks up with Ripley in Chicago Med season 10, episode 14. She is tired of trying to help him, but to no avail. So, despite her feelings for him, Asher decides the best thing she can do for Ripley is to let go. Jump ahead to episode 15: Ripley is trying to put the pieces of his life back together when he comes across a woman and her daughter stuck in a well. One thing leads to another, and Ripley eventually ends up in the hole, which is when Chicago Med borrows a storyline from Chicago PD.
Ripley’s Hallucination Of Sully In Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 15 Explained
Ripley Gets Trapped In A Well
Ripley calls for help after discovering the trapped mother and daughter in the well in Chicago Med season 10, episode 15. Firehouse 128 arrives with Randall “Mouch” McHolland (played by Chicago Fire season 13 cast member Christian Stolte), who has been picking up extra shifts as a lieutenant, and they work together to save the two victims. At one point, Ripley goes into the well to help. However, after the mother and daughter escape, the walls cave in on the doctor, trapping him down there. After a while, Ripley starts losing oxygen, resulting in him hallucinating his late friend, Sully.
Above ground, Mouch and the firefighters are working hard to save Ripley in Chicago Med season 10, episode 15. Down below, Ripley is talking with Sully. His friend encourages him to hang on, and a heart-to-heart between the two ensues. As mentioned above, Ripley has been spiraling since Sully died. So, the conversation between the two friends, which includes Sully advising Ripley to use his anger and channel it into something good (like surviving), helps Luke Mitchell’s character get through this latest traumatic event. By the hour’s end, Mouch (and Sully) saves Ripley, returning him to the surface.
Chicago PD Did The Hallucination Gimmick With Hank & Olinsky First & Better
Olinsky Returned In The Chicago PD Season 11 Finale
If one hasn’t watched Chicago PD, Ripley’s hallucination in Chicago Med season 10, episode 15 might seem unique and quite poignant. However, fans of the police procedural series will find this storyline familiar. In the Chicago PD season 11 finale, Hank Voight is captured and tortured, resulting in him losing consciousness and subsequently hallucinating his late friend and partner, Alvin Olinsky.
Since Olinsky had a much bigger presence in Chicago PD than Sully did in Chicago Med, his return in the police procedural series was a lot more effective. The second One Chicago TV show also spent more time establishing Voight and Olinsky’s friendship, which is partly why Olinsky’s death was so devastating and why Voight hallucinating him was more emotional than Ripley imagining Sully. Ultimately, since one can’t help but compare the two, the events of the Chicago PD season 11 finale weaken Ripley’s storyline in Chicago Med season 10, episode 15.
How Chicago Med Could Have Better Handled Ripley’s Grief Over Sully’s Death
Med Didn’t Have To Copy PD
Of course, Ripley’s reunion with Sully is emotional. However, because Chicago PD already did this storyline and did it better, the medical drama could’ve (and should’ve) handled Ripley’s grief differently. Perhaps instead of putting Ripley into immediate danger to bring him back to reality, the writers could’ve taken a healthier, safer route (like therapy). That might not have been as exciting, but it would solve the repetitive issue. Nevertheless, Ripley can now move forward and, as Luke Mitchell told TV Insider, become “a new and improved Ripley” who “takes ownership of his choices,” in Chicago Med season 10.
