When Chicago Med season 10 ended, most fans were understandably focused on the cliffhanger involving Dr. Hannah Asher. While a compelling question involving that character was left unanswered at that time, I was more interested in what would happen to another one of the show's main characters. After the events of the show's tenth season, I was worried about how Dr. Caitlin Lenox's storyline would progress when the show returned.
After several episodes of Chicago Med season 11 aired, I no longer felt worried that Lenox would be ruined as a character. Instead, I found myself reflecting on how compelling the character portrayed by Sarah Ramos has become. While considering that thought, I concluded that Lenox has become Chicago Med's best character.
Dr. Caitlin Lenox has become Chicago Med's best-written character
When Dr. Caitlin Lenox was introduced during Chicago Med season 10, I initially wasn't a fan of the character. She seemed like the latest example of a show suddenly introducing a new authority figure who takes control in a way that takes away from what makes a series fun to watch. Fortunately for Chicago Med fans, however, it didn't take long for me to realize that I'd misunderstood Lenox as a character. Instead of wielding her authority just to be powerful, the doctor was far, far more multifaceted than that.
In a modern media world in which many characters seem to be one-dimensional, Chicago Med's writers have crafted Lenox in a way that makes her feel like someone with clear motivations, internal contradictions, and real emotions. In short, Lenox has been written in a way that makes her feel like a real person. A fact that exemplifies this is how Lenox's personality shifted after she learned that she carries a fatal neurodegenerative disease, but she still reverts to the dedicated and fiercely intelligent person she is at her core when under pressure.
Of course, Chicago Med has introduced several well-written and compelling characters over the years. For example, Dr. Daniel Charles and Sharon Goodwin have been extremely well executed, and they are so compelling that most viewers would likely point to one of them as the show's best characters. However, during season 11, I feel like the show has dropped the ball with both of those characters. In Dr. Charles' case, the show feels like it could be crafting an exit for him, and the growth Goodwin showed during season 10 has been largely subsumed by her focus on her family.
With Chicago Med's other characters underwhelming during season 11 and Lenox continuing to be well-written and expertly performed, she is now the show's highlight for me.