Chicago Med 7×08 “Just as A Snake Sheds Its Skin” is about friendships, even if, perhaps, it’s also about something else. There’s no romance in most of the interactions in this episode – we’re not even going into Crockett’s bad decisions – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t feelings. In fact, this might have been one of the most effective episodes in an already effective season at showcasing something this show has been sorely lacking, the team-as-family dynamics.
It starts with Ethan and Crockett, a relationship the show hasn’t given us enough of, as with most friendships, but that gets the right kind of focus this episode, as the show attempts to showcase the difference between caring for someone and wanting the best for them (Crockett) and, you know, being Dean Archer.
There are many issues with Archer, but this episode showcases one of the biggest ones, the thing that truly sets him apart from the Will Halsteads of the world who care entirely too much about entirely too many things: he doesn’t really care. He is good at his job, effective even, but he isn’t, will never be a team player, because he doesn’t believe in any team. He just believes in himself.
Chicago Med 7×08 “Just as A Snake Sheds Its Skin” also takes a moment to focus on what is probably the most interesting dynamic on the show so far, that of Stevie and Will. The two have played at polar opposites, and their antagonistic relationship has helped see them that way, but if anything, this episode proves that, deep down, they really are cut from the same cloth.
Will’s biggest issue has always been that he cares so much, he gets so invested, that common sense flies out the window. And he’s always viewed Stevie as this person with a perfect life who never had to care as much as he did about anything, because life just came easy for her. That, however, couldn’t be farther from the truth. Stevie, like Will, cares about everything and everyone, and in many ways, it’s because she’s had to.
That’s how she’s survived.
But Will has had one thing Stevie is only just now beginning to find, and something I truly hope Will can help her with, a place to call his own. A place he belongs in. Personal purpose. It’s been a journey for him too, but Will has figured out that he has to live for himself, and Stevie still needs to do that. She needs to figure out who she is when she isn’t taking care of her mom, when she isn’t making decisions for her mom.
Perhaps Will can help in that. Strictly in a friendship capacity for now, please as Will tends to mess up relationships and I’d rather he and Stevie are on much firmer ground if they are ever going to become romantic. But Will’s own complicated history with his father, and relationship with the brother he remembered he had in this episode, means that he can at least understand some of what Stevie’s going through. And more importantly, Will, of all people, will surely, particularly with the knowledge he’s got, try from now on. He just cannot help himself. That’s who he is – and in many ways, that’s why we love him.
And yes, this episode also saw Will making another questionable romantic call – can you go one season without dating anyone please? – but at least it didn’t involve Stevie. If one of his relationships needs to crash and burn, let it be this one. I’m still holding out hope that, if the setup continues to be what it is, there’ll be a much better relationship in his future. One that could, perhaps, be permanent.
Here’s to the journey.
Things I think I think:
- THEY’RE AT MOLLY’S
- Don’t date your boss’s daughter, Crockett. Do not.
- Aww Dylan and Dad are super cute.
- “Everyone can use a little backup, right?”
- See, this is what I love about Will Halstead. It truly is.
- The Donna Paulsen energy Sarah Rafferty radiates. Or is that just Sarah Rafferty energy at this point?
- I will do whatever she wants.
- Vanessa needs help, ASAP.
- Dr. Charles didn’t look worried ENOUGH if you ask me.
- WILL MENTIONED JAY. I REPEAT, WILL MENTIONED JAY. JAY STILL EXISTS. HE STILL TALKS TO JAY.
- I mean, that was kinda obvious, but come on. It’s been forever. We’ll take the little things.
- Considering Vanessa didn’t want Maggie around, it’s amazing how much she’s needed Maggie.
- But also …that Vanessa is around is clearly not good for Maggie. She’s crossing lines that she normally wouldn’t even consider.
- Crockett and Ethan gave me FEELINGS this episode. I really need this show to focus more on the friendships.
- YES, MARCEL, CALL OUT ARCHER.
- We knew Dr. Charles was right, but I didn’t want him to be THIS right.
- And yeah, someone needs to have a talk with Dylan too.
- Will Halstead stay single for an entire season challenge.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Med 7×08 “Just as A Snake Sheds Its Skin”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
