What each One Chicago show has us thankful for

When it comes to Chicago Med, what we’re giving thanks for is giving Dr. Connor Rhodes (Colin Donnell) his third new job title in four seasons. Firstly, One Chicago fans just have to laugh at how Connor keeps changing responsibilities almost every year; he’s gone through three assignments and three girlfriends over four seasons! The man is constantly shaking up his own life.

But all jokes aside, the storyline of creating a hybrid operating room in the Emergency Department and having Connor run the place has been intriguing to watch. Anything that puts Colin Donnell at the forefront is worth seeing—he’s established Connor as a strong voice at the hospital, so it feels almost overdue that he’s now in a position with some kind of authority. After all, he’s always been bucking authority, up to and including the latest episode.

Having a hybrid OR is something that’s helped set Chicago Med apart from other medical dramas. It’s a seriously good idea, and not one that is seen on every other TV show. Chicago Med needs a few things like that, so that it can tell even better and more unique stories about medicine, not just the people who practice it.

And it’s also upended the status quo on the series, too. Maggie Lockwood (Marlyne Barrett) has a new storyline working on Connor’s surgical team, which has meant more for her, and she’s such a fantastic character. That’s also allowed us to see how April Sexton (Yaya DaCosta) functions as the charge nurse. Plus, who expected that Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) would be the one trying to wring money out of the new venture?

It’s a bold idea and it’s opened up all kinds of story possibilities, while being anchored down by a great performance from Colin Donnell. Let’s hope the hospital doesn’t close the hybrid OR, as it’s the coolest thing about Chicago Med season 4 so far.