Chicago Fire - I Am The Apocalypse - Review

We waste no time jumping into the action. With numerous victims in respiratory distress, Squad and Truck assist Ambo in getting the victims to Chicago Med. After a series of very unfortunate events, everyone in the ER – including many from Firehouse 51 – are quarantined until it can be determined whether or not everyone is infected with a deadly disease. How did this happen, you ask?

Well…

It’s Dr. Will Halstead’s (brother of Chicago PD’s Detective Jay Halstead) first day of work at Chicago Med. Not only is he running late, but he’s already planning on leaving Chicago to move back to New York. Something tells me his plans are about to change…

The scene is set for the possible second Chicago Fire spinoff – Chicago Med. We’re introduced to the hospital workers who I’m assuming will comprise the main cast of Chicago Med, should it be ordered to series. We’re already familiar with a few faces – Dr. Will Halstead and Nurse April Sexton.

We’re quickly introduced to Dr. Hannah Tramble, a surgeon, and Sharon Goodwin. I’m still not entirely sure what Sharon’s role is within the hospital, but it seems like she runs the show. This is her house. In a brief exchange, it seems Will has already gotten on her bad side. Whoops!

I also love that Kendra makes a brief appearance – especially with Severide. It’s a subtle flashback to the days when Shay was around. I don’t think we will ever get over that.

On to the action!

As April calls for the attention of the now very full ER, a man swiftly stands up on a chair, yells, “You thought Ebola was a nightmare, I am the Apocalypse…!” and pulls a grenade as Severide dives across, tackling April. Would it be horribly cheesy to say Chicago Med started off with a bang?

The scene that unfolded was eerily similar to last season’s finale; an explosion occurs and everyone is inside exception for Boden, who’s left only with his walkie to communicate to his men inside. What’s more, Shay didn’t make it out of that building last season and now Severide’s life hangs in the balance. As everyone inside goes into triage mode, Dr. Halstead quickly declares Severide a black tag (which means dead or near dead) and my heart was beating a mile a minute. With the assistance of Mills and Brett, Dr. Tramble works to save Severide for the duration of the episode. While unconscious, Severide has quick, flash memories of Shay. The episode all around was incredible, but this by far was my favorite piece of it. Shay, we still miss you.

When Will checks April for a concussion, she’s sassy, smart, and on her game. I’ve been slow to come around to April (and Will, for that matter), but both saw a good amount of screen time in this episode and shined. I think they both found their characters – and I really like their interaction. I know there are quite a few April/Severide shippers out there, but I’m going to go ahead and jump on the April/Will ship, even if I’m on it alone! I stand by what I’ve said before, cross-show romances don’t have a great history of success. There’s real potential with April and Will.

I had no idea Oliver Platt would be on this show but I squealed when he appeared! I hope with every fiber of my being that if Chicago Med is picked up, Oliver Platt is involved. He’s incredible. He’s already phenomenal as psychiatric doctor Daniel Charles. The younger crew of Chicago Med has two excellent leaders in Dr. Daniel Charles and Sharon Goodwin – who already work very well together.

The Chicago Med team is shaping up to be an interesting crew; Dr. Halstead is making a big adjustment in Chicago, and I have a feeling we have barely scratched the surface with his past. April is fiery and compassionate and I’m willing to bet we see her bend a few rules (probably with Dr. Halstead!) to save lives; the girl’s not afraid to do what needs to be done. Then there’s Dr. Hannah Tramble – I don’t have a good read on her yet, but she seems to have something to prove (don’t we all?).

While the Chicago Med team triages the people in the ER, the Chicago Fire crew works to stop a nasty fire in the ceiling. When more fire extinguishers are needed, Cruz and Rice head in. Now wait a minute, you are going to send the single father possibly in to his death? No! Rice should not have gone in.

Gabby assists Dr. Halstead in stabilizing a man with someone else’s ulna protruding from his chest area. Not an ideal situation. While it would have been completely inappropriate for the situation, I almost wanted Gabby to turn to Will and say, “Hi, I’m Gabby. I used to date your brother.” But more importantly, Gabby once again reminded us how awesome she is with patients and medicine. I really would like to see her as a paramedic again!

Once again, Herrmann steps up and I just have to wonder, when are we going to see him in a lieutenant position? When the doctor arrives to test for the possibility of a deadly disease, Herrmann volunteers to be the subject. My heart broke just a bit as he pulled out a picture of his family, thinking he may never see them again.

But have no fear! They are not infected. Of course they aren’t infected – we certainly can’t kill two casts.

And after an episode of longing glances, the news of not being infected with a deadly disease is enough to throw Casey and Dawson back together – at least for that night. Whatever! I’ll take what I can get.

Outside the hospital, Detectives Halstead, Dawson, and Officer Ruzek worked to solve the suicide attack. While I won’t ever complain about seeing Ruzek, I particularly liked that Jay and Antonio were the detectives selected for this episode, as they both had family members inside the hospital. I’m hoping that with Chicago Med, we see more of the Halstead family background. While we’re on the subject, I could use plenty more Dawson family scenes and background as well.

I’ve been very skeptical of this second spinoff. If this episode was any indication, I am no longer concerned – Chicago Med has great potential. But my favorite part of this episode (I realize I’ve said that a few times now…oh well) is how seamlessly the casts of Fire, PD, and Med fit together. Get ready for some fantastic crossovers!




What did you think of the episode? Will and Casey and Dawson finally reconcile? Will Dr. Halstead stick around? What do you think of the possible Chicago Med?

About the Author - Meghan Reynolds

A Colorado native, Meghan was born a raised a Denver Broncos fan. Aside from football, she loves storytelling, whether it be movies, television, books, or music. Some of her favorite shows of the past and present include LOST, Friends, The Office, Scandal, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire. She is excited to be reviewing two of those shows for SpoilerTV, Chicago PD and Chicago Fire.