Chicago Med’s Latest Episode Has Me Conflicted About Archer And Hannah’s Relationship, But Steven Weber And Jessy Schram Nailed It

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Be aware that Episode 17 of Chicago Med Season 10, titled “The Book of Archer”, contains spoilers. You can watch it the next day if you have a subscription to streaming service Peacock.

The latest episode of the 2025 TV schedule shone a bright light on character Dean Archer in Chicago Med, and it was a tumultuous day for him from the start, with events only becoming more chaotic. To be honest, he played a significant role in this escalation, causing even Hannah to exhaust her patience… temporarily at least. The episode titled “The Book of Archer” concluded with them arranging to spend some time together in the evening, and I was left with mixed feelings about almost everything except for the fact that actors Steven Weber and Jessy Schram delivered impressive performances.

In the heart of Episode 17, I discovered a shattering truth about my ex-wife’s demise – an accidental fate that befall her after a bout of drunkenness and an unfortunate fall. The grim tidings were delivered by none other than Sean, a distant voice from Florida. Plunged into a whirlwind of emotions, I trudged through the day, reporting for duty at work, where I was informed that Lenox was taking a personal day, leaving me to manage the Emergency Department in Goodwin’s absence. Hannah, my astute companion, picked up on my uncharacteristic unease, but I remained tight-lipped about my turmoil.

Instead of keeping his emotions hidden, he would often lash out at patients and coworkers, including Hannah. It wasn’t until a violent encounter with a drug-addled patient and discovering some details about Lenox’s past that triggered an emotional breakthrough for him. He confided in Hannah, revealing the reasons behind his marital breakdown. However, he soon found himself questioning the choices made by his family, which had led them to their current situation. Hannah encouraged him to concentrate on progress, making necessary changes, and working towards a better future.

Archer inquired about where he desired to be, but if he persisted with the self-torment, she indicated the conversation was over. I assumed the episode would conclude with scenes between Dean and Hannah, and Archer’s unsuccessful attempt at pouring a good bowl of Captain Crunch would have been the final image before credits. I was bracing for a somewhat gloomy ending. However, surprisingly, Hannah stepped up. She visited him, demonstrating she had brought food – dinner and “dessert,” which turned out to be Captain Crunch Berries.

When he jokingly declared he avoids the Berries variety due to them being “indulgent,” she casually suggested, “perhaps it’s time for a change.” Interestingly, he almost grinned, acknowledged the possibility, and extended an invitation to her. Regrettably, the conclusion as to whether she could persuade him to experiment with Captain Crunch Berries was never disclosed, leaving me perplexed about my feelings towards the situation.

From the very start, there’s been something captivating about the connection between Archer and Hannah. At first, it seemed improbable when he expressed disapproval over Goodwin hiring her, yet as time passed, they grew to be each other’s most trusted confidants within the office. I once had the opportunity to discuss their relationship with actress Jessy Schram during Season 7, and she shared that neither she nor Steven Weber anticipated the bond between Archer and Asher. More recently, showrunner Allen MacDonald hinted at their relationship being “difficult to define” before the start of Season 10. Even Archer’s emotional moment under the influence of acid was made more impactful because Hannah was there with him.

In the TV series, both characters have consistently maintained that they aren’t romantically involved, as demonstrated by a humorous scene featuring Sean Archer’s confusion and Hannah’s firm denial. Despite this, Dean was compelled to remind Sean that he might have misunderstood due to Hannah’s strong assertion. Over the years, they’ve been close friends within the Chicago Med ED, with a noticeable age difference. However, during “The Book of Archer,” their interactions were so intense that it seemed like a romantic relationship could be developing between almost any other pair of characters. In fact, I found myself pondering if fans had given them a nickname on social media, although Hannah has always had feelings for Ripley.

It seems there’s much speculation regarding this incident. Could it be that this is a fresh, more transparent stage in their friendship? Perhaps it was an unusual event, triggered by Archer’s emotional turmoil following his ex’s death. Might the Captain Crunch Berries symbolize some aspect of their relationship, and are they indeed too sweet for an adult to consume regularly?

One question seems to be more straightforward to answer at this moment, and it might necessitate a visit to the grocery store. On a more thoughtful note, predicting what lies ahead (or doesn’t) for Archer and Asher is uncertain; I can only speculate based on hints from the promo for the upcoming episode. Here’s a peek:

Regarding Hannah, the upcoming episode will tackle her situation with Ripley, at least that much is certain for now. Meanwhile, there’s anticipation about whether all three One Chicago shows will continue into the 2025-2026 TV season. I’m not overly concerned about cancellations, but it would be helpful to know before the final episodes air. Unfortunately, One Chicago is taking a short hiatus, and Chicago Med won’t resume its 8 p.m. ET slot on NBC Wednesdays until April 16.

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2025-04-03 09:07