With ensemble casts as large as those in the One Chicago franchise, sometimes we don't see certain characters share the screen together as much as we would like. They might appear in scenes containing the full ensemble, but there are inevitably pairings that don't get one-on-one scenes or storylines for multiple weeks. That's about to change in the latest Chicago Med episode.
So far, the first two episodes of Chicago Med season 12 have featured an ensemble-heavy episode for the season premiere and a follow-up with various pairings in episode 2. For the most part, the series has stayed true to the dynamics that had been in place in season 11, with Asher and Archer sharing most of their scenes together and the rest of the doctors working closely on the same cases.
However, the Chicago Med season 12 episode 3 synopsis reveals that we're about to get a particularly unlikely duo back for the first time in a long time: Ripley and Asher! As the synopsis hints, "Frost and Charles try to protect a young burn victim; Ripley and Hannah get creative after treating an unhoused pregnant woman; Archer gets unwelcome news." What a surprise!
Ripley and Asher are teaming up in Chicago Med season 12 episode 3
As we know very well, Ripley and Asher have years and years of history, having been in an up and down romantic relationship over the years. While they have continued to work closely together in the Gaffney emergency department after sorting through their differences and moving on, this marks their first one-on-one team-up on a case together in season 12.
In the episode, Ripley will be working with Asher as she tends to a patient who is unhoused and pregnant. Women's health might be Asher's specialty, but both she and Ripley share the common thread of having the utmost empathy for their patients. That will be a definite strength for this duo joining forces. The bonus will be further solidifying their friendship and putting the past aside.
Chicago Med showrunner Allen MacDonald previewed the pairing of Ripley and Asher in season 12 episode 3 to TV Insider and opened up about his intention to push them together at work to "showcase that a friendship can come out of a failed relationship." As MacDonald told the outlet:
"Obviously, they are no longer together romantically, but they know each other very well, and now that the bad feelings have faded with time, they’re able to now embark on a beautiful working relationship where their history is a help rather than a hindrance. They have a deep trust that time can’t erase."
It's been a while since we watched Ripley and Asher put their working friendship on display. Following the pair's breakup in season 10, they have both moved on, but it wasn't such an easy transition. The news of Asher's pregnancy initially made Ripley believe he was going to be a father. When Ripley learned that Archer was the father, the pair locked horns multiple times out of jealousy, which made working together a living hell for each other, everyone involved, and especially Asher.
The dust has settled once again, but we haven't had a check-in on Ripley and Asher's friendship in quite some time. Asher might still be single, though she's living with Archer and their daughter, but Ripley's in love and committed to Lenox—a relationship that hasn't quite made the gossip rounds at Gaffney just yet given Lenox's absence for her "sabbatical."
We probably don't have to worry about Ripley and Asher diving back into their history in this episode or feeling sparks reigniting between them. Let's at least hope that's the case. But if anything does come up between them, it's more than likely a mutual respect for each other. As much as some fans would probably still like to see them work it out, that's not where they are at (right now).
Elsewhere in Chicago Med season 12 episode 3, Goodwin makes her return to Gaffney after taking the deal with Miranda in order to become a charge nurse and help protective the hospital from the inside. Frequent collaborators Frost and Charles help a young burn victim while Archer receives some "unwelcome" news, which could have something to do with his battle against Mallory Sloan.
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC and next-day on Peacock. Check out the trailer for the latest episode in the video below!
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