After over a decade on the air, Chicago Med continues to find a way to keep its storylines and character dynamics fresh and engaging. So far in season 12, the Gaffney emergency department doctors have faced a number of challenges and shuffles, and we're only four episodes in. With Lenox on a sabbatical, her position needed to be filled. She's already had two replacements.
Chicago Med season 12 began with Archer stepping into Lenox's role as interim ED chief, but once he became involved in Goodwin's battled against Miranda, he wound up being pulled. Because she couldn't fire Goodwin as a nurse without cause, Miranda pulled a power move on Archer by yanking him as chief to knock him down a peg and leaving room for another replacement.
In season 12 episode 4, Sloan made the announcement that Ripley will take over as interim ED chief for Archer. It's not a promotion Ripley was expecting to receive by the looks of his dumfounded and genuinely surprised reaction to the news. But there are even more layers to his promotion, as the realization that he has taken over his girlfriend's job probably hasn't sunk in.
Ripley takes over Lenox's job before her return in Chicago Med season 12
We have already seen a first-look at Ripley in his ED chief coat from season 12 episode 5, which will catch us up with his first shift in his new role. Judging by the photo, which is seen above in the featured image, he's already feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the job, but it's nothing he's not up for. Even Goodwin made sure to remind him in episode 4 that he's going to be busy.
Currently, Lenox remains on her sabbatical and we haven't heard from her (or really even about her, aside from the briefest mention) since the premiere episode. It's unclear what will happen when she returns, whether she will step right back into her position as ED chief or the powers that be will keep Ripley aboard in the role. Either way, some relationship tension could arise.
Even if Ripley finds the demanding responsibilities as chief overwhelming, it's a safe prediction that he will eventually and ultimately find his new job rewarding. We have no doubt that he will thrive once he believes in himself and rises to the occasion. Who knows, maybe he will even find an unlikely mentor in Archer. If he wants to keep his job as chief, he could risk losing his relationship.
Ripley and Lenox have weathered their fair share of relationship hurdles, between Lenox pushing him away because of her illness and keeping their romance under wraps from their colleagues. But throw in possibly competing for the same job and they might not completely survive this one. No matter the plot twists Chicago Med tosses our way, it's going to be an entertaining ride.
Lenox should be making her return shortly, as showrunner Allen MacDonald stated that Sarah Ramos would be absent for the season's first five episodes. Since Ramos made a surprise appearance in the premiere, Lenox will likely make her comeback in episode 6 or 7, and by then, Ripley could be flourishing in her job. The countdown is on to their ultimate relationship test!
Add us as a preferred source on Google