‘Chicago Med’ Recap: ‘Trust Fall’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

CHICAGO MED -- "Trust Fall" Episode 1003 -- Pictured: Jessy Schram as Dr. Hannah Asher -- (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1003 of ‘Chicago Med’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We like to believe, that the skill set that medical professionals learn, makes them Gods of sorts. Beings that can immediately diagnose what’s wrong with a person and use their specific knowledge to magically heal and prevent suffering and when necessary, prevent us from dying. To which there is merit. Because time and time again, their quick thinking has saved lives and brought about miracles of sorts. Not to mention, we’ve heard plenty of stories from people that had a brush with death and escaped its clutches thanks to the skills of their doctors. But while their special training does indeed save lives and accomplish wonders along the way, they are not gods in the slightest. They’re people, plain and simple.

People who suffer through problems like anyone else and who… don’t always save the day. Because our bodies are fickle, and no amount of knowledge can solve when our time is up, and never were those two truths more evident than during this week’s episode of Chicago Med on NBC. For ‘Trust Fall’ explored the humanity of doctors and the reality that they cannot save everyone. After offering up some joy and some resolution on a very human storyline. Since Ripley was reinstated and had to face the consequences of his actions away from the ER. Prompting him to really think upon his actions and what comes next, which is indeed something we all face. Plus, Dr. Charles was able to reach a man that was ready to die out of loneliness, reminding us of the wonder of being kind to one another.

But in between resolution and wonder, was Dr. Asher’s journey. For she quickly grew close to a pregnancy patient that was deeply worried about the future of her child, how her little girl was going to be born and the odd pain she was experiencing before coming into the ER. All of which Asher worked to assuage with Maggie’s help as well, and she and Elise truly became fast friends and for a time, it seemed as though Dr. Asher was going to be Elise’s hero. Because when the time came to deliver the baby, the surgery portion of it went well, and the child, which was in distress, came through fine and made her way to the NICU. All of which brought joy to a proud momma and a sense of routine for Asher… until things took a shocking turn for the worse. 

Because suddenly, that pain Elise complained about returned with a vengeance and that resulted in some shocking bleeding and a fast trip to the OR. One where Elise met her baby before Asher worked with a fervor and fire to save Elise from not seeing her little girl grow up. But despite using her skill set to the maximum, and pinpointing the problem, nothing mattered. It was Elise’s time, and she expired on the table and shattered Asher in the process. All of which served as sobering reminder, that while doctors are heroes through and through… they can’t save all of us, and sometimes the cause of someone’s passing isn’t easy to pinpoint. Because it can be something out of the norm or something that isn’t top of mind, and this is that end result. A passing, some sorrow, and the fight to save ten more lives to make up for that one.

All of which gave rise to a powerful story really. One that once again showcased the humanity of this industry, something that NBC medical dramas excel at, and it deserves a round of applause for taking us on quite the emotional and powerful ride. One that also, set the stage for other unique plot points down the line. Such as what will become of Frost now that he’s been exposed as a former TV star, and of course, Goodwin has that ugly death threat hanging over her and Ripley… has to put the pieces of his life back together. Which is no easy task. But that is why we tune in, to be moved, to see that humanity on display and see these doctors stumble, fall, and rise like the rest of us, in manner that truly captivates us from beginning to end. Until next time.

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