Warning! SPOILERS about Chicago Med season 8, episode 22 ahead.Chicago Med season 8 has been building to the launch of OR 2.0, but another character managed to steal the spotlight during the finale when they took their final bow at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. The number of remaining original main characters is dwindling. After losing Brian Tee, who played Ethan Choi, early on in the season, the doctors shockingly bid farewell to another of their own at the end of the finale.
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Aside from one actor’s exit from the series, the finale also touched upon other recent season 8 stories. The complications with OR 2.0 (both machine-made and man-made) lead to a disturbing new development that will undoubtedly set up season 9’s story. Dean Archer’s health continued to worsen, and his son’s life took a dark turn. Dr. Charles’ fight with Liliana led to a confession that didn’t really make their lives any easier in the grand scheme of things. Plus, the Chicago Med season 8 finale ended with a reunion that has been a long time coming, but the episode also left many questions unanswered.
Why Did Halstead Leave Chicago Med?
Ever since Chicago Med became a for-profit hospital in season 8, there has been something in the air that told fans that one employee would leave as a result. Since Maggie Lockwood had previously met with a recruiter and had a job interview, the show led viewers to believe that Marlyne Barrett, who plays Maggie, would be the one to exit the series. That’s why it was so surprising when Will Halstead handed his resignation letter to Sharon Goodwin toward the end of the hour.
At first, Will’s quitting felt like a minor bump in the road, and it was assumed that he would later find his way back to Med in season 9. However, when the doctors and nurses gave him a standing ovation as he walked out of the ED, it was clear that Will wouldn’t return. Nick Gehlfuss, who has played Will since season 1, later confirmed his exit from the show. The actor was ready to leave Will behind, just like Will was prepared to leave Med behind.
During the Chicago Med season 8 finale, Will and Grace Song sabotaged OR 2.0 for Jack Dayton’s surgery to illustrate its faults. Will took all the blame for the scheme to protect Grace, but also because he was okay with leaving because he disagreed with the new direction the hospital was taking. For now, therefore, Chicago Med fans have seen the last of Will Halstead.
Halstead’s Actions Led To Chicago Med’s Newest Problem
Although Will had good intentions when he decided to sabotage OR 2.0, his impulsive actions had a trickle effect which induced a new issue in Chicago Med. OR 2.0 wasn’t ready to be launched after it created a fake lesion during Richard Evans’ surgery, leading to the patient’s death. Crockett Marcel tried to explain this to Dayton, but the CEO still wanted to go through with his hernia surgery to showcase the unit to investors. Will and Grace felt they had no choice but to interfere with the operation and show investors the truth behind OR 2.0.
Of course, the IPO “died,” but the real kicker came when Dayton revealed that he had put his fortune into OR 2.0. He lost everything, and, as a result, Dayton felt like he had no other choice but to sell Chicago Med. So just when the audience felt like the hospital might turn a corner and become public again, it sounds like another greedy businessperson will be in control of that decision. If fans thought Dayton was bad, the ominous music playing over his declaration indicates that another Chicago Med villain is on their way, and they will be even worse.
Archer’s Story Didn’t Have A Satisfying Conclusion
Archer was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease in Chicago Med season 8, meaning he needed a new kidney. The good news was that his son, Sean, was a match. But the bad news was that Sean relapsed during the finale, and kidney donors have to be six months sober to donate. Unfortunately, Archer’s health worsened in episode 22, and he might not make it to six months.
Whereas most finales wrap up season storylines and set up new ones for the next season, Chicago Med decided to play out Archer’s health crisis. He likely won’t die, so it’s only a matter of time before he finds another donor (or goes on hemodialysis and can wait out the six months). The conclusion to this story is clear, yet it didn’t happen during the finale. Plus, the supposed “love triangle” between Dean, Sean, and Asher fizzled out surprisingly quickly. Everything about their segment of Chicago Med season 8, episode 22 felt rushed and unsatisfying, and hopefully, season 9 will give this story a clear ending.
Dr. Charles’ Love Life Continued To Be A Mess
Dr. Charles and Liliana got into a big fight during Chicago Med season 8, episode 21 when he asked her to move in with him. They managed to avoid each other for most of the finale, but Dr. Charles’ case of the week inspired him to reach out to his girlfriend. They both admitted that miscommunication (arguably one of TV’s worst tropes) played a part in their spat, and they revealed that they loved one another. Unfortunately, Liliana’s brother, Pawel, ruined their moment.
There are still many problems that Dr. Charles and Liliana have to address, but they might never get a chance to because of Pawel. He clearly isn’t a fan of their relationship, so their conflict isn’t over. Chicago Med season 9 will likely continue to build the drama surrounding Dr. Charles, Liliana, and Pawel until it comes to a head. Hopefully, Dr. Charles will get his happy ending, but he won’t be able to if Pawel is still in the picture. Related: Chicago Med’s New Love Triangle Is A Huge Mistake
Halstead & Manning Finally Got Their Happy Ending
Will and Natalie Manning reunited at the end of the Chicago Med season 8 finale. From the beginning of the NBC series, it was obvious that Will and Natalie shared a deep connection. Their friendship soon turned into a romance, but their relationship was a rollercoaster, to say the least. Will and Natalie have been through a lot together, so it makes complete sense that Will’s last episode would end with him moving to Seattle to be with Natalie and her son, Owen. The mother and son duo welcomed Will with open arms, and it’s heartwarming to witness what is sure to be the beginnings of a beautiful family.
Even though Will’s exit from the series is sad, he got the ending that he deserved. Plus, Natalie’s departure from the show also came full circle during the season 8 finale. Now, Will and Natalie can walk off into the sunset together and never look back as Chicago Med tries to continue without them in season 9.
