Goodwin's Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 9 Joke Hints At An Original Character Returning

Chicago Med's Sharon Goodwin (S Epatha Merkerson) makes a joke at the end of episode 9, "No Love Lost," that could also foreshadow a big character return. It is an important year for the medical drama, as it marks its first decade on the air. To celebrate, new showrunner Allen MacDonald has already promised that several former Chicago Med characters will return to Gaffney Medical Center. MacDonald began fulfilling his promise in Chicago Med season 10, episode 8 by bringing back Sarah Reese (Rachel DiPillo) for two episodes.

Reese had not been seen since season 4, when she abruptly quit Gaffney after accusing Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt) of having allowed her father to die. Fortunately, her guest appearance allowed her to finally end her Chicago Med storyline, and her new exit leaves the door open for her to return in the future. Hopefully, she will be the first of many characters to return during Chicago Med season 10, especially since Goodwin referenced one of the most popular departing characters in her joke.

Goodwin Jokes About Halstead Returning After Seeing Reese In Chicago Med Season 10, Episode 9

Halstead Left At The End Of Season 8

Much of "No Love Lost" revolved around the aftermath of Goodwin's attack in her office. Although she is in critical condition after being stabbed, Goodwin recovers enough to welcome visitors by the end of Chicago Med's winter premiere — and one of those visitors is Reese, who has finally settled her issues with Charles and wants to see Goodwin before she leaves again. Thus Goodwin, surprised to see Reese again after all these years, jokes: "Who's next? Will Halstead?"

Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) has been off the show for far shorter a time than Reese, having left in Chicago Med season 8. He now lives in Seattle with Natalie Manning (Torrey DiVitto), who had left a season ahead of his departure. However, Halstead always had a good working relationship with Goodwin, so it wouldn't be surprising if he did return from the West Coast to see her. Therefore, Goodwin's joke has sparked speculation that she might be foreshadowing Halstead's visit to Gaffney Medical Center.

Why Will Halstead Left Gaffney In Chicago Med Season 8

He Sabotaged An AI Machine Out Of A Sense Of Moral Duty

Halstead was the central character for most of his eight-season run, as he was the link to the rest of the One Chicago shows through his relationship with Chicago PD's Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer). Thus, it was shocking when he decided to resign from Gaffney at the end of season 8. Will was a character who often bent the rules to get patients the best care possible, and Halstead's exit story didn't seem any worse than anything else he had done; however, he still needed to leave because Gehlfuss decided to move on from One Chicago.

Halstead's exit story ended a season-long arc about Jack Dayton (Sasha Roiz), a tech billionaire who had gained a controlling interest in the hospital and who had installed technological medical equipment that benefited his company. The main story involved the ethics of using OR 2.0, an AI assistant that allowed Marcel (Dominique Rains) to perform previously impossible surgeries.

OR 2.0 had made an error that cost a patient their life, yet Dayton insisted on showing it to investors. Thus, Halstead deliberately sabotaged the machine so that the investors would back out. Afterward, Halstead submitted his letter of resignation, which allowed him to escape the consequences of his behavior and instead get a happy ending — he moved to Seattle to work and live with Manning.

Will Halstead's Chicago Med Season 10 Return Will Make Its Milestone Year More Special

He Is More Closely Associated With The Medical Drama Than Almost Anyone Else

Halstead's return would be an exciting way to celebrate Chicago Med's milestone season. Gehlfuss' character was central to One Chicago's medical show for so long that it's only appropriate that he'll be part of its 10th year on the air. Unlike Reese, however, Halstead had a proper exit story and a happy ending, so his return would not be to tie up loose ends, but instead to catch up with his old co-workers and help a patient in need.

Although Will now lives in Seattle, there are several ways Chicago Med could bring him back. The most logical reason would be for him to visit Goodwin, but that would likely only be a cameo appearance, so it would be better for him to need help with a patient. One emotional storyline that would bring him back would be if something was wrong with Manning's young son, Owen (Ari Morgan). If Owen came to Gaffney for specialized care, it would give Chicago Med a reason to bring both Halstead and Manning back while giving them a high-stakes storyline.