The One Chicago franchise was born when Chicago PD became Chicago Fire's first spin-off series. Since there have been several shows in NBC's highly successful franchise, it has always seemed like there has been a healthy level of competition between the show. After all, each series wants to be ranked as the best One Chicago show.
Unfortunately for the team behind Chicago Med, it has rarely seemed like viewers would rank it as the best show from the franchise. However, after watching the show's tenth season, it could easily be argued that the medical drama had become the absolute best thing that the One Chicago franchise had going. The reason for that is Chicago Med season 10 was the best season in that show's history.
What made Chicago Med season 10 so fantastic
To be clear, I'm not trying to pretend like everything about Chicago Med season 10 was perfect. Like virtually all TV chapters, the season had lowlights and highlights. What I am saying is that there were so many aspects of Chicago Med season 10 that I loved that I feel that it is the best collection of episodes in the show's history. Frankly, it isn't even that close for me.
The season's first highlight that I would point to is the fact that I believe that season 10, episode 17, "The Book of Archer" is the best Chicago Med episode ever. During the episode, Dr. Dean Archer learns that his ex-wife has suddenly passed away. In the scenes that followed, Steven Weber gave an incredible performance as a proud man struggling to cope with feelings of grief, despair, and helplessness to help his recovering addict son deal with his mother's sudden passing.
Another reason why Chicago Med season 10 was the show's best season ever was how it handled introducing, or reintroducing, characters. First off, the season created two new main characters, Dr. Caitlin Lenox and Dr. John Frost, both of whom had depth and brought fascinating storylines to the show. Secondly, the season perfectly brought back Dr. Sarah Reese, Robin Charles, and Anna Charles. Those three characters returning and the passing of his mother left Dr. Daniel Charles on rockier ground than he has ever been on before. While I have always loved him as a character, it is the first time in years that I can't wait to see how Dr. Charles will change and grow.
One of the least talked about aspects of Chicago Med season 10 was that the season could be refreshingly fun at times. For example, it was amusing to see one episode introduce the idea of a clip that Gaffney Chicago Medical Center's staff try to secretly place on each other's clothes. The person who is wearing the clip at the end of the work day then has to buy everyone else drinks. Another fun moment from the season was seeing Dr. Archer under the influence when he accidentally got dosed with an illegal substance by a patient.
Amazingly enough, those are just a sampling of the reasons why Chicago Med season 10 is my favorite chapter in the show's history. Now, I can only hope and have faith that season 11 will keep that trend going by being even better.