Chicago Med’s for-profit plot twist will have a bigger impact on the hospital than meets the eye. Many patients come and go from Gaffney Medical Center with varying degrees of diagnosis. While some patients have follow-up stories in future episodes, most only make one appearance. However, one season 8 patient is leaving his mark on the hospital for the foreseeable future, whether it’s for better or for worse.
Season 8 of Chicago Med introduced Jack Dayton, a Chicago entrepreneur and CEO who was a victim of a subway crash. When Crockett Marcel came across the accident by chance, he saved the lives of Jack and the train driver. Jack’s gratitude to Dr. Marcel started as various gifts and a bump in publicity, but his growing influence has finally culminated in a controlling share of Gaffney. There are obvious problems that come to mind with this decision, such as Gaffney selling out and prioritizing well-off patients. However, the hospital’s for-profit turn will give each Chicago Med character a bigger moral dilemma than they could ever imagine.
Chicago Med’s For-Profit Decision Could Bring Out The Worst In Will
Will Halstead is one of the few original doctors from Chicago Med’s first season. Throughout the show, Dr. Halstead became known for his detailed work and ion for patient care. However, his strengths have come back to hurt him, as his determination can drive him to impulsivity and emotional outbursts. Every doctor in Chicago Med has crossed a morally gray line at least once, with Dr. Halstead being one of the more frequent offenders. He’s proven that he’ll do anything to get his patient the help they need, and the hospital’s for-profit turn will definitely trigger him to act out of line.
After Jack decided to turn Gaffney Medical Center for-profit, the effects throughout the hospital were immediately seen. When Will saw a patient get turned away in the waiting room because they didn’t have insurance, he quickly found a loophole to treat them. Dr. Halstead is known for taking some drastic measures, getting reprimanded by the board multiple times, and even previously being threatened with a lawsuit. Dr. Halstead’s impulses are sure to get the better of him if the hospital continues to turn away patients, and this may set him up for big trouble with Jack’s board.
Crockett Is Too Dependent On O.R. 2.0
Crockett had big shoes to fill as the show’s trauma surgeon replacement for Connor Rhodes on Chicago Med, but his charm quickly won the ED over. Though Dr. Marcel’s initial cockiness and laid-back ways seemed like a potential liability, he proved himself to be incredibly dedicated to the job. He’s a more than capable surgeon, but O.R. 2.0.’s presence in the hospital has only made him question himself. Dr. Marcel was the one who saved Jack’s life, and he likely feels responsible for every gift to the hospital Jack has given since then.
Dr. Marcel was unsure of O.R. 2.0. at first, but he’s gradually become dependent on it with Jack’s encouragement. With the hospital going for-profit, O.R. 2.0. is here to stay. Crockett will likely keep using it, even for surgeries that he would’ve been confident doing without the technology. Others in the ED have questioned if Crockett is only using O.R. 2.0. because he feels indebted to Jack’s generosity, it seems true whether he realizes it or not. He’s a great surgeon because of his risk-taking, but O.R. 2.0. will only continue to chip at his confidence.
Maggie Could Leave Chicago Med For Good
Chicago Med’s for-profit switch has some ED questioning if they want to stay at Gaffney, and nurse Maggie Lockwood revealed that she’s already looking for other jobs. Another original Chicago Med face, the for-profit plot may be setting up Maggie’s departure at the end of the season. With actress Marlyne Barrett’s cancer diagnosis (via People), it’d be an understandable and overall in-character reason for Maggie to leave. However, Vanessa’s early season departure opened up possibilities for Maggie’s story. Maggie is the heart of the ED, and it’d be hard to see someone else stepping up as a charge nurse in her place.
The team at Gaffney Medical Center faces challenges every day, but Jack Dayton’s growing influence over the hospital is truly a problem that is out of their control. With the hospital now for-profit, doctors and nurses like Maggie are bound to leave the ED unless a change is made. For those who do stay they’re going to face challenges in their work that will only grow over time. Chicago Med’s for-profit decision is one of the show’s most serious twists, and each and every character will be affected one way or another.
Source: People
