Trading Small-Town Serenity for Big City Mayhem: Finding Your Next Binge in the One Chicago Universe
While the comforting charm and heartfelt romance of Virgin River hold a special place in our viewing schedules, the wait for Season 7 can feel like an eternity. For those craving intense drama, high stakes, and the thrill of interconnected storylines, the One Chicago universe offers a compelling alternative. Known for its gripping crossover events that seamlessly weave together the narratives of Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med, this franchise delivers action and emotion in spades. But not all crossovers are created equal. Here, we highlight 8 of the best One Chicago crossover events that will keep you on the edge of your seat while you await your return to Redwood, and the 2 that might leave you feeling a little…underwhelmed.
The 8 Best One Chicago Crossover Events That Will Hook You
When the writers of One Chicago get it right, the crossover events are nothing short of spectacular, delivering high-octane action, emotional stakes, and compelling character interactions across all three shows. These are the crossovers that fans rave about:
1. “Infection” Trilogy (Chicago Fire Season 8, Chicago Med Season 5, Chicago P.D. Season 7)
A terrifying outbreak of a flesh-eating bacteria sweeps through Chicago, forcing Firehouse 51, Med’s doctors, and the Intelligence Unit to work together to contain the threat and find the source. This crossover is a masterclass in building tension and showcasing the individual expertise of each team while highlighting their collective dedication to saving the city. The stakes are incredibly high, and the seamless integration of storylines across all three hours makes for a truly gripping experience.
2. “Going to War” / “When to Let Go” / “Endings” (Chicago Fire Season 7, Chicago Med Season 4, Chicago P.D. Season 6)
A high-rise fire claims the life of Detective Halstead’s (P.D.) father and puts Stella Kidd’s (Fire) life in danger. This emotionally charged crossover deals with grief, responsibility, and the blurred lines between the fire department and the police as they investigate the cause of the deadly blaze. The personal connections between the characters across the shows amplify the emotional impact.
3. “Deathtrap” / “Emotional Proximity” / “Fake” (Chicago Fire Season 5, Chicago P.D. Season 4, Chicago Justice Season 1)
While Chicago Justice is no longer running, this crossover event involving a deadly warehouse fire is a standout. The initial tragedy on Fire leads P.D. to investigate the cause, which ultimately involves the legal ramifications explored in the Chicago Justice premiere. This crossover effectively utilized all three branches of the One Chicago universe, showcasing their distinct roles in the city’s justice system.
4. “The Beating Heart” / “Malignant” / “Now I’m God” (Chicago Fire Season 4, Chicago Med Season 1, Chicago P.D. Season 3)
When Hermann is stabbed at Molly’s, the case intertwines with a series of medical malpractice incidents at Chicago Med, eventually leading P.D. to uncover a vengeful doctor with a personal connection to Voight. This crossover effectively built suspense and connected seemingly disparate events into a cohesive and compelling narrative.
5. “Three Bells” / “A Little Devil Complex” (Chicago Fire Season 3, Chicago P.D. Season 2)
This more contained two-part crossover deals with a series of arson attacks linked to a troubled individual with a vendetta. The close collaboration between Firehouse 51 and the Intelligence Unit is a highlight, showcasing their respective skills in handling fire-related crimes and the subsequent investigation.
6. “A Dark Day” / “8:30 PM” (Chicago Fire Season 2, Chicago P.D. Season 1)
One of the earlier crossovers, this event involves a bombing at Chicago Med during a charity run, putting members of Firehouse 51 in danger and requiring the expertise of the Intelligence Unit to track down the culprit. This crossover helped solidify the interconnectedness of the One Chicago universe and established the pattern for future large-scale events.
7. “We Called Her Jellybean” / “The Number of Rats” / “Daydream Believer” (Chicago Fire Season 3, Chicago P.D. Season 2, Law & Order: SVU Season 16)
This ambitious three-part crossover brought in the Law & Order: SVU team when a rape and attempted murder case in Chicago has eerie similarities to a cold case in New York. The introduction of Olivia Benson and her team into the One Chicago world was a major draw for fans of both franchises.
8. “In the Trenches” (Chicago Fire Season 13, Chicago Med Season 10, Chicago P.D. Season 12)
The most recent full crossover event, “In the Trenches” saw a gas explosion at a government building send the first responders into a chaotic situation. While some felt Chicago Med was slightly underutilized, the event still delivered high stakes and compelling moments as Stella and Ruzek found themselves trapped underground, forcing them to work together.
The 2 Worst One Chicago Crossover Events That Might Leave You Cold
Not every crossover has hit the mark with fans. These two events are often cited as the least impactful or most disjointed:
1. “Nobody Touches Anything” / “Chicago Crossover” / “They’ll Have to Go Through Me” (Chicago Fire Season 3, Law & Order: SVU Season 16, Chicago P.D. Season 2)
This early three-part crossover involving a box of child pornography felt somewhat clunky and forced. The initial premise on Fire led to a joint investigation with SVU in New York before concluding back in Chicago with P.D. The transitions between cities and the integration of the SVU team felt less seamless than in later crossovers.
2. Select Backdoor Pilots
While not full crossovers in the traditional sense, some episodes that served as backdoor pilots for the Chicago spin-offs (Chicago P.D. in Chicago Fire Season 1 and Chicago Med in Chicago Fire Season 3) felt less like organic team-ups and more like extended introductions to the new shows. While necessary for the franchise’s growth, they sometimes lacked the compelling interconnected storylines of true crossover events.
From Redwood Relaxation to Windy City Intensity: Your Next Binge Awaits
While you patiently await your return to the comforting embrace of Virgin River, the high-octane world of One Chicago offers a thrilling and dramatic escape. By focusing on the 8 best crossover events, you can experience the full force of Chicago’s firefighters, paramedics, and police officers working together to tackle the city’s most dangerous crises. Just be sure to perhaps skip the two less impactful events and dive headfirst into the action-packed, emotionally resonant stories that truly showcase the best of the One Chicago universe. Your next binge-watch is calling!
