The One Chicago crossovers are always a fan favorite, bringing together Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD in gripping, interconnected stories.

However, the latest crossover installment, In the Trenches, took a different approach by blending all three shows into one continuous narrative, instead of giving each show

its own distinct time to shine. While this created a fast-paced and cohesive story, some fans, including myself, felt the balance was off, with Chicago Fire taking center stage

and leaving Chicago Med and Chicago PD in the background.

Chicago Fire Took Over the Spotlight

The crossover event kicked off with Chicago Fire, as Firehouse 51 responded to a catastrophic gas explosion at a government building—a disaster that set the stage for everything that followed. While it made sense for the firefighters to be at the forefront, their storyline quickly became the backbone of the entire crossover. As the event unfolded, every significant plot point traced back to Chicago Fire, and even when Chicago PD’s Trudy Platt (Amy Morton) was critically injured during an arrest, her storyline tied back to the explosion investigation. Rather than focusing on how her colleagues at Chicago PD reacted to her condition, the emotional core of the plot centered on her husband, Mouch (Christian Stolte), and his fear of losing her.

Even Chicago Med, which could have played a pivotal role given the mass casualty event, felt relegated to a supporting role. Dr. Archer (Steven Weber) did make an appearance, but he primarily acted as a remote consultant to Chicago Fire’s Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) during an emergency medical procedure, rather than taking center stage in the hospital. Most of the medical drama, therefore, unfolded within the context of Firehouse 51, rather than showcasing the doctors and their usual life-saving work.

Did the Crossover’s Structure Hurt Med and PD?

In previous One Chicago crossovers, each show was allotted its own hour to contribute a distinct, yet interconnected piece of the story. Chicago Fire typically handled the disaster, Chicago Med dealt with the aftermath in the hospital, and Chicago PD took the lead on the investigation. This structure ensured that each show had its moment to shine without one overshadowing the others.

But with In the Trenches, everything was intertwined, which made it harder for Chicago Med and Chicago PD to stand out. Instead of dedicating separate time to show Chicago Med treating the victims or allowing Chicago PD to take the lead on tracking down the perpetrators, the narratives played out simultaneously, leaving their contributions feeling rushed.

One of the most compelling subplots from Chicago PD—the tense conflict between Voight (Jason Beghe) and Dr. Lenox (Sarah Ramos) over whether to extubate a patient for questioning—had great potential. But due to time constraints, it was resolved too quickly, leaving fans wanting more from this dramatic showdown.

Did Chicago Fire’s Longevity Influence the Crossover’s Focus?

As the original show in the One Chicago franchise and one of the most popular, it’s not surprising that Chicago Fire took the lead in this crossover. However, One Chicago thrives when each series feels equally important. In this case, In the Trenches felt more like an extended Chicago Fire episode with guest appearances from Chicago Med and Chicago PD.