Chicago Med: I Wasn’t Expecting The New Episode’s Most Heartfelt Moment To Come From Archer On Acid, But Steven Weber Killed It

by

Caution: Spoilers for the fourteenth episode of Chicago Med’s tenth season, titled “Acid Test,” which will be accessible for streaming the following day with a Peacock subscription.

In the latest installment of the 2025 TV schedule, the character Ripley had a turbulent time off work from the hospital in “Chicago Med.” He was struggling until he received crucial guidance. Regrettably, his turning point came just as the episode was wrapping up, leaving a somber ending. However, the main plot of “Acid Test” might end up making this one of the funniest episodes for the show in a while.

In an unexpected twist, Dr. Archer unintentionally took LSD, causing some amusing antics during an inspection and a deeply emotional scene with Hannah. This week, Steven Weber portrayed a distinct facet of Dean’s character.

Fortunately, the nurses swiftly realized that Archer had been given some substance, as his sudden friendliness and affection were unusual for the typically grumpy doctor. This revelation set off a playful game of keeping him away from the inspector, which was quite entertaining to observe. Given his strange behavior, I was anticipating something amusing when he found himself alone with Hannah in the staff room.

Instead, Archer disclosed an unexpected method to elicit open and affectionate responses from him – administering drugs. Hannah appeared to find amusement in his altered state, but it escalated when he asked about her well-being, revealing a tough day due to the Ripley predicament, “alongside other issues.” He tugged at heartstrings with his reaction, expressing concern and saying:

It’s too bad you can’t appreciate it, Hannah. Unbeknownst to you, there’s a radiant glow surrounding you constantly. After all you’ve been through and your daily grind here, you might be justified in being cynical. Yet, you’re not. Instead, you remain optimistic, receptive, and compassionate. [laughs] And trust me, you deserve much more than you think, but it seems you’re oblivious to that fact. I can see it though.

Over the course of the show, Hannah has been involved in several romantic relationships, but none seemed as impactful as when Archer spoke to her heart in “The Acid Test.” Reflecting on it now, I’m glad that Chicago Med chose not to create a complicated love triangle and instead nurtured the beautiful friendship between them.

This interaction was particularly pleasant following Steven Weber‘s explanation that these characters had formed a sort of sanctuary in one another, despite being an unconventional duo. It’s hard not to appreciate Jessy Schram portraying Hannah more like a straight man to Archer this season.

On Chicago Med, it seems that Archer under the influence of LSD was probably a single appearance for the show, and during his high state, he unintentionally persuaded the inspector to go easy on Gaffney. However, even though he came down from his high, one repercussion still lingers: his speech to Hannah led her to acknowledge that she couldn’t continue to endure Ripley’s difficult periods with him and can’t be the one to rescue him.

In summary, it was enjoyable to witness Steven Weber display his comedic talents more frequently than typical in One Chicago. This was particularly delightful due to the emotional scene between Archer and Hannah, a pairing I have adored since Jessy Schram reappeared on the show and they forged their unusual friendship. Their shared moments are always a pleasure to watch.

In the upcoming episode, it seems there might not be room for anything else, as the preview hints that Ripley’s life could be at risk due to Christian Stolte joining the cast, having appeared on Chicago Fire previously. Here is a peek:

Don’t miss out on NBC every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time to catch the latest developments in Chicago Med. I suspect Archer’s drug trip will be a one-time thing, and the upcoming episode promises more seriousness than humor. As usual, Chicago Fire airs right after at 9 p.m. ET, followed by Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET. You can also stream all three shows on Peacock whenever you want.

Read More

2025-02-27 06:38