In the 2025 TV lineup, “Chicago Med” is set to have a long-awaited three-part crossover with its sister shows from the “One Chicago” series for the first time since the “Infection” event in 2019. This will be the first three-parter under the new showrunner, Allen MacDonald. In an interview with TopMob, he shared some significant changes that will take place in both “Med” and “Fire” during this crossover, as well as hints about the plotline that were meant to remain secret… until they were accidentally revealed in the promo.
Title of the three-part series is “In the Trenches,” where the first responders from One Chicago’s segment of Dick Wolf’s nine-show TV universe are diving headfirst into peril following a massive gas explosion, a subway tunnel collapse, and a hint of criminal involvement in the crisis. Let’s discuss the significant shift that’s taking place, and it’s not only about Dr. Archer joining Firehouse 51 on their missions!
Chicago Med’s Big Crossover Change
Prior to NBC airing any footage for the “In the Trenches” event, it was announced that there would be a shift in the One Chicago lineup. On January 29, Chicago Fire will air at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Chicago Med at 9 p.m. ET and Chicago P.D. at 10 p.m. ET. This is a change from the usual order, as Chicago Med typically airs first on Wednesday nights on NBC’s One Chicago schedule. When I spoke with Chicago Med showrunner Allen MacDonald, I asked about the reason behind swapping places with Chicago Fire for the crossover, and he responded:
It seems like you’ve posed a thoughtful query. My assumption is they structured their narrative around the ‘Infection’ crossover event, as it often serves as the trigger or catalyst for such large-scale stories. In this scenario, if there’s an event that sets things in motion, it will be Fire who initially responds. Consequently, there would be individuals requiring medical attention, thereby leading them to the hospital.
As a film enthusiast, I recently discovered that the 2019 “Infection” crossover (now streaming with Peacock subscription) shuffled the order of “Med” and “Fire” episodes, yet kept “P.D.” as the concluding part. Given that neither the Gaffney doctors nor the Intelligence Unit cops would be the first responders to a fiery explosion, it makes sense. So, if this is why “Med” follows “Fire”, what necessitates the intervention of the “P.D.” team? The “Med” head didn’t reveal the plot twist of this crossover after more than five years, but he hinted:
After this incident – though I’m not suggesting this is definitely what transpired – the characters in P.D. seem to entertain the idea that it might not have been an accident. Whether it was or not remains uncertain, but they delve into investigating the possibility that it could have been deliberate. Consequently, this line of inquiry serves as a natural conclusion for the storyline, especially when considering the broader narrative encompassing all three shows.
Since 2014, when Chicago P.D. spun off from Chicago Fire and later in 2015, Chicago Med joined the mix, forming a single multi-show universe, the upcoming three-part series “In the Trenches” marks a significant change as Allen MacDonald takes over as solo showrunner for Chicago Med, Andrea Newman assumes sole responsibility for Chicago Fire, and Gwen Sigan becomes the main leader for Chicago P.D. MacDonald shared insights about his discussions with fellow showrunners regarding this transition.
We brainstormed extensively, generating numerous potential storylines. Our trio of writers presented these ideas during large Zoom conferences where the showrunners and producing directors participated. Since each director oversees episodes for their respective shows, it was a complex process. There were many minds at work, each offering valuable input to make this project exceptional. I believe we’ve achieved our goal.
McDonald acknowledged that writers like Victor Teran (“Fire”), Joe Halpin (“P.D.”), and Stephen Hootstein (“Med”) presented numerous ideas to Wolf Entertainment, ultimately leading the production team to select the concept they eventually developed. The scripts were then written with substantial input from the showrunners and Wolf Entertainment.
What Allen MacDonald Originally Wasn’t Going to Reveal
Involved in three series and boasting over 500 episodes filled with crises throughout the franchise, it was uncertain what would unfold in “In the Trenches” or whose lives might be endangered. Speaking to TopMob, MacDonald could only express his feelings upon seeing the crossover for the first time without revealing any significant spoilers.
After spending numerous months immersed in various script versions and revisions, witnessing the transformation is truly enchanting. When you finally see everything come together on screen, with all the actors and action sequences, it’s as if my mind lets go of every earlier version. Instead, I become fully engrossed, both as a spectator and a fan. The end result is incredibly satisfying, filled with suspense, and most crucially for me, deeply emotional.
Luckily for eager fans craving more information, a promotional preview for the upcoming event was shown following the most recent episodes of One Chicago. The sneak peek doesn’t seem promising for certain Fire and P.D. characters, as I had a conversation with Allen MacDonald the day after it aired on NBC, and he shared:
For a span of three hours, some intense events unfold. The narrative runs consistently throughout these hours. If you caught the sneak peek last night, you’re aware that Trudy Platt’s life is under threat, and Mouch rushes to the hospital. It’s a heart-wrenching, emotionally charged storyline.
As a die-hard fan of One Chicago, it’s no surprise when a character faces a health crisis during a crossover. In the recent “Infection” event, Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) was infected, but this time around, it seems like Sergeant Trudy Platt who’s in trouble. The fact that she’s in peril is quite a twist, and when I mentioned to the executive producers about the emotional impact of the promo, MacDonald replied: “It really nailed the emotion for all three shows.
Initially, I was instructed not to discuss Stella Kidd and Ruzek in the subway or Platt’s life being in danger. However, these elements were later revealed in the show’s previews, prompting me to say, “Well, I can talk about it now!” Honestly, we’re quite thrilled with how it turned out, and I believe the fans will find it as delightful as candy. [laughs] It’s top-notch material.
Thanks to NBC’s sneak peek, Allen MacDonald managed to reveal that Stella and Ruzek will find themselves trapped in a subway during the crossover, and also hinted at the danger facing Platt with Mouch appearing worried. If you missed the initial airing of the promo last week or typically stream episodes of One Chicago, be sure to check it out:
Fans of One Chicago who’ve been hoping for a crossover since 2019 might find “In the Trenches” worth the wait. To catch it, tune into NBC on Wednesday, January 29, starting with an episode of Fire at its usual time slot of 8 p.m. ET. Since showrunners and Med star Steven Weber suggest that this crossover will feel like a single long movie rather than three separate episodes, it’s recommended to get comfy on your couch for the full three-hour event.
Regarding the events of the upcoming three-episode arc, it is safe to confirm that Med and Fire will return to their regular positions in the schedule a week later.
Read More
- We’re Terrible At Organizing Things.’ Tom Holland Reveals The Sweet Holiday Scheme He And Zendaya Are Going To Try Next Year
- Cookie Run Kingdom: Shadow Milk Cookie Toppings and Beascuits guide
- NewsNation Taps Leland Vittert to Replace Dan Abrams
- Girls Frontline 2 Exilium tier list
- Yarrow Slaps’ Distorted Celebrity Portraits Take Center Stage in New Video Game-Inspired Show
- Rooster Teeth Is Back and Promises To Go Back to Its Roots
- XLARGE Celebrates Lil Wayne With New Collection
- Path of Exile 2: How To Find & Unlock the Realmgate
- New Era and BEAMS Reunite for Spring/Summer 2025 Collection
- BlackRock’s Ethereum ETF $ETHA Listed on DTCC, Awaits Trading
2025-01-28 08:10