Chicago Med season 4 midseason report: Natalie Manning

What’s next

The spoilers released for the Chicago Med midseason premiere confirm that Manstead’s situation will be a huge part of the first episode back in January. That makes total sense, because Natalie’s whole life is affected by what just happened to her. It’s not just that Will left her at the altar; there is also the fact that she now knows he’s been lying to her and that it’s about something that was life-threatening.

She’ll be upset with him, absolutely. But it’s not that simple. She’ll be relieved that he wasn’t shot. But also wondering if she can trust him again. Wondering if he’s safe, because if he’s not truly safe neither is she and her son Owen. In fact, what about the rest of the hospital if somebody shows up there again? There’s all kinds of fallout.

But past that, Chicago Med would do well to remember that there’s more to Natalie than this. A lot of emphasis has been put on Manstead since they finally got together at the beginning of the third season, yet that doesn’t mean they stop being doctors. Will had his big case treating Ray Price, so what medical challenges will Natalie face?

The show needs to continue to develop her career—and we don’t just mean her disagreeing with Will on the treatment of a patient, or telling a patient’s spouse/parent how she doesn’t agree with their choices. Move her away from those tropes. Pair her with other characters. Show other sides of her. There’s a lot that can be done, and this is the time since there hasn’t been much of that in Chicago Med season 4 so far.

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