If you have been a long-time viewer of the One Chicago universe, then one of the bittersweet downsides you have become accustomed to is characters coming and going at a moment's notice. As soon as you becoming emotionally attached and invested in a character, they could be take from you in the blink of an eye, whether they're killed off or simply written off and never heard from again.
Saying goodbye is difficult, but it's also difficult getting to know new characters and letting them in the same way. No one can replace our favorite characters, but over the years, some of the One Chicago universe's new character additions have been absolutely legacy-defining for the franchise. For Chicago Med, Dr. Caitlin Lenox is well on her way to doing just that.
Sarah Ramos joined the cast as the headstrong, no-nonsense doctor in season 10, and after only two seasons, Lenox has become son engrained in the DNA of Chicago Med that it's inconceivable that she ever wasn't part of this world. And in season 11, she quickly proved herself as one of the true unsung heroes of Gaffney and the show as a whole for a number of reasons.
On paper, Lenox is simply just a well-rounded and dynamic character. Sometimes, characters who are staunchly guarded and, for lack of a better word, crabby can get old fast. No one wants to watch a character who is just naturally miserable and doesn't get along with anyone. That's kind of how Lenox started out, but as we learned about her background, we understood why she moved through the world keeping people at arm's length.
The tragedy of her mother's death at a young age forced Lenox to grow up quickly and help raise her younger brother Kip. But the possibility that she could meet the same tragic fate as her mother thanks to her Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease diagnosis adds another layer to Lenox guarding herself from her coworkers, brother, and even the patients who crave a friendlier bedside manner.
But as Chicago Med continued to dive deeper into Lenox's vulnerability and we had the chance to see different sides of her, whether she was being reckless and avoidant or uncharacteristically open and honest, she became more and more of a compelling entryway into the stories the show was telling. As a character who feels as though she has nothing to lose, she's unafraid to through herself into the figurative fire and advocate for others.
One of Lenox's best moments in Chicago Med season 11, making her not just an unsung hero but an actual hero, was putting her own life on the line for her patient Faye. After treating Faye early on in the season and learning that her husband was being physically abusive, Lenox through her a lifeline to no avail. When Lenox crosses paths with Faye's husband Devon episodes later, she doesn't miss the opportunity to help Faye for a second time.
Lenox ends up being help captive by Devon in his basement, along with Faye and eventually Ripley, who comes to check up on Lenox. During their time in the basement, Faye makes the brave but also dangerous decision to kill Devon to save all of their lives. Lenox doesn't stop protecting Faye and sticks to story for the cops that Faye killed her husband in self defense. She ferociously stands up for what is right, no matter the situation.
This is exactly the kind of character Chicago Med has needed, and Ramos completely embodies all of Lenox's rough edges and her secret gooey center to perfection. It's a complete departure for Ramos, especially if you know her best as Hattie Braverman in her other hit NBC series Parenthood. Going into season 12, both Lenox and Ramos deserve more credit for breathing new life into the series and taking it into an exciting new direction.
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