Chicago Med 7×12 “What You Don’t Know Can’t Hurt You” continues to advance the Hamstead dynamics in the best way possible, as it seemingly makes a choice in regards to Dr. Marcel’s love life, brings Ethan back in the most heartbreaking of fashions and oh, yes, sends a strong message about vaccination.
The last part is about as important as anything the show does with its character, and it’s actually not at all surprising that this show went there. Not only is Chicago Med a medical show — the reality of vaccination rates in the US is a little harder to escape for them than it is for, say, Chicago P.D. — but Chicago Med is also a show that has made it a point to push for vaccination among its cast and crew, too.
In today’s current political climate, and taking into account the loses the medical community has suffered in the last two years, a show like Chicago Med was in a singular position to send a strong message about this, and they did. It wasn’t overly preachy, there was no pro-vaccine speech. There were just facts and consequences. And it absolutely worked.
Let’s go into the Hamstead of it all, Dr. Blake and Dr. Marcel’s budding romance and the anti-vaxx issue as we discuss Chicago Med 7×12: “What You Don’t Know Can’t Hurt You”:
ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK?
Shipping is often hard, painful business. As a veteran of many ships, I can attest to that. In Chicago Med‘s case, Will and Stevie have been taking one step forward, two steps back for the first 12 episodes of season 7. They’ve done so effectively enough that we’re now at the point where I am really invested in them continuing forward. But that doesn’t mean it would be a good idea for them to take that final step. Not now.
Will Halstead has only had two kind of relationships on Chicago Med, the rushed ones and Natalie. And the main reason Natalie didn’t work out for him was that she left. The rest could have been fixed, if the show had wanted to fix it. But that’s in the past now, and anyone paying attention can realize Stevie is the future.
But the two of them are at a weird place right now. There’s a simmering attraction, and they both feel it. They work well together, and they trust each other. They’ve opened up to each other more than they typically do. And yet, individually, there are so many things they have to figure out because they even get to a place where a relationship is a good idea.
The fact that they’re not rushing that the show is not rushing, is a good sign. It truly is. And I, for one, am ready to enjoy the slow burn journey.
TAKE ME HOME
Every time I catch myself having any kind of positive feelings for Pamela Blake and Crockett Marcel, I remember his thing with her daughter and it goes away. Because with that hanging over their heads that just means that the closer they get, the more it’s going to hurt when Pamela inevitably finds out. And it will. That’s life, and even if it weren’t, that’s TV.
But this episode gave us the first real glimpse at the feelings between the two of them, and I have to say …if it weren’t for that other thing, I might actually be into this? Donna Paulsen — I mean, Panela Blake — doesn’t need anyone to save her, has never needed anyone to save her. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t great to see someone step up to do it, anyway.
And as for Marcel, he was clearly hurt by Natalie. But he also clearly learned to open up through his relationship with her, and that’s how we got here. But if this, or any, future relationship is going to work, he’s going to have to make sure he knows who he wants. And he’s going to have to communicate with the two women he’s expressed romantic interest in lately. Particularly as they’re mother and daughter.
A CHOICE TO DIE?
Will and Stevie’s patient made a choice in Chicago Med 7×12 “What You Don’t Know Can’t Hurt You”?, or at least, she thought she did. Except it was clear during her interactions with them that she was making her choice based on erroneous information — which means it was less a choice, as she believed, as much as it was a scam. And that “choice” cost her her life, and could have cost her baby, too.
Vaccines are safe. They are effective. And though no, they aren’t a cure, they help. Help you, help others, and help the healthcare system and the doctors who have sacrificed so much during this pandemic and who continue to be asked to make that same sacrifice because of people like this patient.
There is a way out of this pandemic. There is a way forward to a new “normal.” Get vaccinated. Listen to science. And make choices based on actual facts, not on fear and propaganda. That’s not my message (thought it is), it’s Chicago Med‘s.
Things I think I think:
- Ethan Choi + pool + back muscles = unfair.
- Stevie just causally confiding in Will gave me feelings.
- This Dylan storyline is …eh, not my favorite. I want the best for Dylan. This isn’t it.
- I love Ethan. I di not love the mustache.
- The way Maggie said “don’t play with me.” I screamed.
- CAPP!!!!!!!
- AND KIM?!
- Goodwin is the absolute best, I swear to God. What a gem of a character.
- I volunteer to give Ethan a hug.
- When Ethan’s dad was being so rude, I had a feeling. I really did. This storyline was painful, mostly because it felt real. There’s not much more to say other than I’m glad Dr. Charles was there.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago Med 7×12 “What You Don’t Know Can’t Hurt You”? Share with us in the comments below.
Chicago Med airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
