The much-anticipated One Chicago crossover, In the Trenches, was a high-octane event that united Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. in a gripping three-hour special. The storyline centered on a devastating gas explosion

at a government building, forcing firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and doctors to work together to save lives and uncover the cause of the catastrophe. Among the standout moments was the unexpected team-up between

Chicago Fire’s Stella Kidd and Chicago P.D.’s Adam Ruzek, who found themselves trapped underground on a train. While the crossover delivered intense drama and heart-stopping action, it also made a glaring omission—Chicago Med,

the franchise’s current top-rated show, was largely sidelined. Despite its growing popularity, the medical drama’s characters were relegated to secondary roles, leaving fans disappointed by their minimal involvement in the event.

Chicago Med Is Now One Chicago’s Top-Rated Show—So Why Was It Overlooked?

For years, Chicago Fire led the One Chicago franchise in viewership, followed closely by Chicago Med and Chicago P.D.. However, the 2024–2025 season marked a shift in this trend. According to TV Series Finale, Chicago Med has surged ahead, averaging 5.783 million viewers per episode, surpassing Chicago Fire’s 5.684 million. Meanwhile, Chicago P.D. has seen a decline, dropping to 4.571 million viewers.

Despite its rise in popularity, Chicago Med was given minimal focus during the crossover. While the firefighters and police officers were central to the rescue and investigation, the doctors and nurses were primarily seen in supporting roles, treating the injured rather than actively driving the storyline. This imbalance frustrated fans, who expected a more significant presence from Chicago Med’s key characters.

The 2025 One Chicago Crossover Pushed Med to the Background

Instead of weaving Chicago Med into the heart of the crossover, the event prioritized Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D., making the medical drama feel like an afterthought. The most pivotal moments revolved around Stella Kidd, Adam Ruzek, and Trudy Platt, leaving Chicago Med’s core characters—including Dr. Frost, Dr. Weber, and Dr. Lenox—relegated to background roles. Their only contribution was providing medical assistance, without being at the center of any major plot developments.

Given Chicago Med’s recent success, this decision felt like a missed opportunity. The show has cultivated a dedicated fanbase that deserved more from such a significant crossover. Rather than simply reacting to the events unfolding around them, the doctors and nurses could have played a more integral role in the crisis, perhaps by dealing with an influx of critical patients or uncovering a medical mystery tied to the explosion.

Future Crossovers Must Give Chicago Med the Attention It Deserves

While In the Trenches delivered action-packed thrills, it failed to properly utilize Chicago Med, leaving fans questioning why the franchise’s top-rated show was pushed aside. With the medical drama now leading in viewership, future crossovers should strive for a better balance, ensuring that all three shows contribute equally to the story.

While Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. bring high-stakes rescues and criminal investigations, Chicago Med’s life-or-death medical emergencies are just as compelling—and just as worthy of the spotlight. If One Chicago truly aims to showcase the interconnected nature of its universe, then Chicago Med must be treated as more than just a supporting act in its biggest events.