Goodwin's ex may cause issues for her new Chicago Med romance

Things were looking good for Dr. Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson) in Chicago Med season 9. The character was assuming more control of Gaffney Medical Center, and striking up a romance with a doctor named Dennis Washington (John Earl Elks).

Well, things got invariably complicated in the episode "I Told Myself I Was Done With You." Goodwin urged her ex-husband, Bert Goodwin (Gregory Alan Williams), to see a doctor following some bouts of short term memory loss, and discovered that he has Alzheimer's.

Goodwin's ex-husband has Alzheimer's

CHICAGO MED -- "I Make a Promise, I Will Never Leave You" Episode 9005 -- Pictured: (l-r) Greg Alan Williams as Bert Goodwin, S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin -- (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC) /

It was a devastating revelation for both parties. Goodwin sat down with Dr. Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt) following the diagnosis, and noted that she is going to have to shoulder most of the care for Bert moving forward.

Dr. Charles tries to counter by saying that the Goodwin children can help out, but Goodwin doesn't buy it. She knows that Bert will rely on her as his condition worsens, and she will have to dedicate a good chunk of her personal time to making sure he's healthy. She asks aloud:

"How am I going to do it? I’ve got a hospital to run. I’ve got a new relationship that is really going well."

The character goes on to note that she feels bad about having such "selfish" thoughts, but she springs into action later in the episode, when Bert's location is unclear. She eventually tracks him down to his house, and when Bert voices concern over being a burden, Goodwin assures him:

"I’m here... and it’s gonna be alright."

Goodwin fears it will take over her life

CHICAGO MED -- "Don't Want To Face This Now" Episode 606 -- Pictured: S. Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin -- (Photo by: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC) /

It's a heartbreaking development, and one that will more than likely lead to some problems with Goodwin's current relationship. Like she told Dr. Charles, she doesn't really know if she can juggle romance, work, and caring for her ex, and only one of these things is expendable.

Merkerson talked about her character's conflict during a recent interview with NBC. She sang the praises of the actor who plays her ex, Williams, but admitted that things are not going to go smoothly for Goodwin throughout the rest of season 9:

"Having Bert come back with issues at a point where her personal life is starting to blossom is a perfect foil for this new romance."

We hope Dr. Washington is understanding, but we are absolutely going to be tuned in either way to find out.

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