Disappointment in One Chicago’s 2025 Crossover: Why One Show is Heavily Favored Over the Others

Warning! SPOILERS ahead for the 2025 One Chicago crossover, “In the Trenches.”

The 2025 One Chicago crossover, dubbed “In the Trenches, ”has sparked some disappointment among fans and critics alike. Unlike previous crossovers that showcased each show within the franchise distinctly, this iteration leaned heavily on one series, leading to an uneven distribution of screen time and story contribution. The most successful crossovers have typically delivered a narrative arc that allows viewers to clearly see where one episode concludes and another begins. In contrast, “In the Trenches”presented a unified storyline that intertwined characters from all three shows almost from the event’s inception.

Chicago Fire Dominance in the Crossover

Every Storyline Linked to Firehouse 51

From the outset, Chicago Fire set the tone for the crossover, starting with a dramatic call to a gas explosion at a government facility. This event acted as the catalyst for the entire narrative, leading to a significant presence of Firehouse 51 throughout the three-hour saga. While this approach made sense given the nature of the incident, it became evident that Chicago Fire was the backbone of the crossover, overshadowing contributions from Chicago Med and Chicago PD.

For instance, when Trudy (Amy Morton) finds herself shot during a police operation related to the gas explosion, the narrative predominantly focused on Mouch’s (Christian Stolte) anxiety over her predicament, leaving minimal room to explore the implications of her potential loss within the police department. Similarly, Dr. Archer (Steven Weber) from Chicago Med largely appeared to provide remote assistance to Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) during an emergency procedure but had little opportunity to develop his own subplot.

This crossover featured an imbalance that might leave viewers unfamiliar with Chicago Fire feeling a bit lost, despite its origins and foundational significance in the franchise’s history.

Challenges in Equal Representation Across Shows

Past Crossovers Provided Unique Storylines for Each Show

One of the key issues with “In the Trenches”was its format, which made it difficult to allocate appropriate screen time to each show. Earlier crossovers typically delineated storylines more clearly, allowing each series to shine. However, this particular crossover lacked distinct segments for Chicago Med and Chicago PD, with both shows finding themselves squeezed into a framework heavily influenced by Chicago Fire.

The absence of an hour entirely devoted to Chicago Med and Chicago PD resulted in a less nuanced exploration of their respective narratives. Instead of dedicating time for crucial storylines like the treatment of burn victims or Voight’s (Jason Beghe) team pursuing the shooter of Trudy, these plots unfolded concurrently, diminishing their anticipated impact.

Engaging Subplots from Med and PD but Lacking Sufficient Focus

Quick Resolution Due to Time Limitations

The conflict between Lenox (Sarah Ramos) and Voight offered an exciting glimpse into the dynamics between Chicago PD and Chicago Med. The characters, both headstrong in their approaches, were destined to clash, particularly when Voight pressed Lenox to carry out an act that compromised patient care for interrogation purposes. The tension was palpable, yet the subplot lacked the depth it warranted as it wrapped up too quickly.

While Goodwin (S Epatha Merkerson) supported Lenox’s ethical stance, her compromise with Burgess (Marina Squerciato) to provide information without jeopardizing patient safety felt rushed. This lack of thoroughness was disappointing, especially given the rich potential of this storyline within the larger crossover context.

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