Before Chicago Med's recent return, the show was on fire, given that it could be argued that season 10 was the best season ever. After that season's finale aired, the show's viewers were left with a lot of questions about things like who the father of Dr. Hannah Asher's baby was. However, before season 11 premiered, the most talked-about aspect of the show was something that fans had previously felt sure about.
Even though fans had previously assumed that Marlyne Barrett would continue to star in Chicago Med, it was announced that Maggie Lockwood's actor was leaving the show, at least temporarily. The news that the talented actor and the beloved character she portrays would be absent left me feeling heartbroken at that time. Now that I have seen how the show initially handled Maggie leaving, the main emotion I am feeling is certainty that the character's departure needs to be fully explained soon.
Chicago Med must fully explain Maggie Lockwood's departure
During Chicago Med season 11's first episode, Maggie Lockwood no longer working at the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center was addressed in two ways. The first way came after the episode's first commercial break when Dr. Daniel Charles was shown asking Sharon Goodwin if she'd heard from Maggie since she left the hospital. In response, Sharon stated that she hadn't heard from the ER's former charge nurse at all.
"Not a peep"
Later during the episode, Sharon was shown telling the ER's replacement charge nurse, Doris Perez, that Maggie would be proud of her for doing such a great job filling her shoes. When Doris expressed that she was just keeping those metaphorical shoes warm until Maggie gets back, Sharon's only response was to nod her head with a smile on her face.
That is it, That is the entirety of how Chicago Med's season 11 premiere addressed one of the show's most beloved and pivotal characters leaving. There are two reasons why that has left me feeling like Chicago Med must fully explain the storyline reason for Maggie leaving the ER soon.
First off, the idea that Maggie wouldn't communicate with Sharon at all for a period of time feels wrong for the character and the depth of their relationship. While Sharon and Maggie had some tense moments during season 10, it was their mutual respect and love for each other that allowed them to avert a huge problem for the hospital they work for and its staff. Going from that to no communication at all feels off unless there is a very good storyline reason for that change. If there is a great explanation, I want to learn about it soon.
Secondly, I am left wondering why some Gaffney Chicago Medical Center staff members clearly expect Maggie's return to be imminent, as Doris obviously does. That makes me assume that Maggie didn't bother explaining whatever is going on with her, even to someone she worked with for many, many years, like Doris. If the show doesn't explain Maggie's absence and her secrecy about her reasons, I will definitely start to feel very frustrated soon. I understand that viewers need to have patience sometimes, but I don't want Chicago Med to leave me with so many questions right after I just spent weeks wondering about the identity of the father of Hannah's baby.
After explaining my desire to know what is going on with Maggie Lockwood the character, I feel compelled to clarify one thing. I believe that Chicago Med fans should completely respect the fact that nothing has been revealed about why Marlyne Barrett has left the show. The actor can choose to explain the situation in the future or remain silent on the topic if she wants.