Brace for Impact: Decoding the ‘Real Shockwaves’ Hitting Fire, P.D., and Med in 2026 md11

The “One Chicago” universe officially returned to NBC on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, delivering a high-stakes winter premiere that immediately addressed the cliffhangers leaving multiple characters in peril. After a two-month hiatus, the “Night of Power” reopened with episodes that brought shocking turns and life-altering decisions for the heroes of Chicago.

🏥 Chicago Med: “Triple Threat”

The midseason premiere for Chicago Med utilized a unique narrative structure, with characters recounting the traumatic events of the previous night in reverse.

• The Fate of Dr. Lenox: After being ambushed in the fall finale, Dr. Caitlin Lenox (Sarah Ramos) survived her ordeal in the basement. Dr. Ripley (Luke Mitchell) eventually found her, but both were nearly killed by the abusive Devin Carter.

• A Shocking Death: In a desperate moment, Faye Carter shot and killed her husband, Devin, after he ordered her to shoot Ripley. To protect Faye, Lenox and Ripley lied to the police, claiming the shooting was purely in self-defense, despite evidence suggesting someone had untied Devin’s wrists after the shot was fired.

• Dr. Charles’ Future: The episode revealed that Dr. Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt) is seriously considering retirement. Haunted by a difficult case involving a heart transplant patient, he admitted to his therapist that his judgment feels compromised and the emotional toll is becoming too much to bear.

• Hannah and Archer’s Joy: Providing a rare bright spot, Dr. Archer and Dr. Hannah Asher discovered they are having a baby girl. However, Archer’s looming anxiety about co-parenting and Hannah’s tragic past continue to complicate their dynamic.

🚒 Chicago Fire: “A Man Possessed”

At Firehouse 51, the focus was split between a literal fight for survival and a political battle for the station’s future.

• Van Meter’s Crisis: While Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) successfully used bedsheets to rappel himself and Principal Cole out of a burning apartment, Captain Tom Van Meter was caught in a “ball of flame.” At Chicago Med, he went into hypoxic respiratory failure and was placed in a medically induced coma.

• Severide Sidelined: Fueled by guilt over Van Meter’s injuries, Severide became “possessed” by the arson investigation. His aggression boiled over during an interrogation, leading the CPD to officially kick him off the case, leaving the perpetrator still at large.

• The Decommissioning Threat: Chief Pascal and Mouch learned that Engine 51 is on the decommissioning list. In a shocking twist, Pascal discovered that his girlfriend, Annette Davis, was the one who recommended the cut to further her own political ambitions.

🚔 Chicago P.D.: “Born Screaming”

Chicago P.D. returned with a dark, adrenaline-fueled conclusion to the Raymond Bell serial killer saga.

• The Rescue of Officer Imani: New recruit Eva Imani managed to survive being trapped in the Bell “dungeon.” While Raymond Bell initially fled with his granddaughter, Julie, the Intelligence unit eventually tracked him down.

• Voight’s Past: The episode delved deep into Hank Voight’s childhood. Faced with blackmail from Commander Devlin regarding his late father, Voight delivered a chilling defense of his lineage, asserting that his father taught him to hunt “monsters” rather than becoming one.

• Ruzek Update: Burgess finally provided an explanation for Adam Ruzek’s absence, noting that he is currently at a facility caring for his father, Bob, who suffered a health emergency.

January 2026 Broadcast Schedule

The One Chicago shows are expected to air weekly throughout January. However, fans should prepare for another break starting February 6, when NBC begins its coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics.