Chicago Med 7×05 “Change Is A Tough Pill To Swallow” does not, ironically, focus on change as much as the episode title makes it seem. Unless the change is a shift towards the clear new ship Chicago Med is looking to establish the right way, by establishing other dynamics that are not at all romantic first. And yes, I’m of course talking about Will Halstead and Stevie Hammer.
Maybe because they have a previous relationship that’s already adversarial but based on clear mutual respect we’ve managed to skip the most annoying part of every relationship for Will, the moment where you see him clearly get uber invested on a relationship that he either shouldn’t be invested in, or get invested way earlier than anyone with common sense would. But that’s Will Halstead for you, and though he’s not getting super invested romantically this season, he’s already knee deep into his investigation, and the water is rising.
Will Halstead’s biggest problem — and most endearing quality — has always been that he cares too much. Well, that and that he thinks before acting. That’s been the cause for most of his mistakes. Let it never be said Will Halstead is cold and calculating, hell no. That’s why it’s always seemed like, with some direction, Will could be the kind of character people really invest in, you know, the kind channeling that goodness towards a good place.
Season 7 has truly allowed Will that with a storyline I wasn’t truly fond of at first, and that I still think will cause Will more headaches than it’s worth, but that will probably help his growth immensely. But it’s not just that storyline that’s helped Will this season, it’s the way the show is clearly leaning on his dynamics with Stevie without going full on romantic, a la Will, right away. Because if there’s one thing Will needs more than a one-night stand, or a girlfriend right now, it’s a friend.
Also, a talk with his brother wouldn’t hurt. Please, for the love of all that’s Holy, give me the Halstead brothers interacting on my screen again, please and thank you.
But Chicago Med 7×05 “Change Is A Tough Pill To Swallow” is also, in many ways, about the things that stay the same, and the things we don’t truly appreciate at first glance. Like me and Dr. Charles. There’s something about season 7 that’s making me appreciate Dr. Charles in a way I’m not sure I ever did, maybe it’s that he’s all that Iggy Frome from New Amsterdam would like to be, or maybe it’s just normal love, I’m not sure. And I haven’t even gone into my love for Donna Paulsen, or Sarah Rafferty, or both, because whenever Sarah is on my screen, I can only think of my love for Donna and she is Donna, even if she isn’t.
And if, like me, Dr. Dylan Scott didn’t always appreciate his Pops the way he should have, well, he’s still got a chance to do so. He’s the lucky one, in that respect. Some of us don’t have that change, some, like Vanessa, might still find the chance and others, like Stevie, are caught in an even more complicated situation.
If Chicago Med 7×05 “Change Is A Tough Pill To Swallow” proves something is that there are always chances. To improve. To say what you want to say. To be the person you want to be. And that’s a gift that we all decide what to do with – for better or worse.
Things I think I think:
- Early morning …flirting?
- Dr. Scott is so good with kids, it makes emotional.
- Will’s gonna fold, SOONER rather than later. The question is …who’s gonna be there to pick up the pieces?
- This episode tried to sell us a lot of Vanessa related drama, and I just wasn’t buying. At least not till the end.
- I hate that Archer cares more about hospital politics than patients.
- Stevie pushing back against Will was my favorite thing.
- Or maybe it was Will apologizing and the two of them working together to figure out a diagnosis.
- Next week is gonna be ROUGH.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Med 7×05 “Change Is A Tough Pill To Swallow”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Med 7×05 airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.