The Ultimate One Chicago Watch Guide

Are you a fan of police procedurals? What about medical dramas? Or shows about firefighters? Thankfully, Peacock is streaming the One Chicago franchise from NBC. These shows take everything you love about this genre and turn up the heat, making the franchise a must-watch.

What is One Chicago?

The One Chicago franchise is made up of three different series ­– Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med – about three different teams of first responders in the city of Chicago: Firehouse 51, the Intelligence Unit of Chicago PD, and the doctors and nurses at the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center. These three groups all have an amazing cast of characters, whose personal trials and professional dealings will have you glued to the screen.

But what truly makes this franchise a must-watch is how these stories interweave. Characters from other shows regularly pop into the stories of another show, such as the Med team treating members of Firehouse 51 or the Intelligence Unit. And the connections run even deeper. 51’s Randall McHolland aka Mouch (Christian Stolte) is married to Trudy (Amy Morton), PD’s favorite Desk Sergeant, and the Halstead brothers Will and Jay (Nick Gehlfuss and Jesse Lee Soffer) who work for the hospital and Intelligence Unit respectively.

This kind of integration allows the shows to be more versatile than most stand-alone procedurals. Having all this interconnectedness gives the stories a sense of realism as people from other teams arrive to help solve problems and provide additional drama.

5 Must-Watch Episodes of Chicago Fire (contains spoilers)

1. “Better to Lie” —Season 1, Episode 17: This episode is the first time we see a location that will define the franchise: Molly’s Bar. The christening of Molly’s comes on the heels of Severide (Taylor Kinney) reconnecting with his father, and old wounds reopening for Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) when an old colleague’s death comes back to haunt him. A iconic moment for a location that becomes the central nexus of all three shows, the name Molly’s helps lessen the tensions of the past as well as complicates the future of the firehouse.

2. “Let It Burn”— Season 4 Episode 1: Casey’s (Jesse Spencer) emotional turmoil from working on a human trafficking case comes to a head as a neighborhood tries to stop 51 from putting out a fire at a drug den. This act of ingenuity and selflessness from the whole firehouse showcases their devotion to protecting and serving, no matter the circumstances, and is further sweetened by Dawson (Monica Raymund) finally telling Casey that she’s pregnant. A thrilling episode full of physical and emotional hurdles that any fan would love.

3. “The Chance to Forgive”— Season 6, Episode 15: If you can’t help shipping Stella (Miranda Rae Mayo) and Severide, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss! Stella and Severide finally facing their feelings is immensely satisfying and their big kiss at Molly’s lets both other characters and fans cheer them on. This combined with the nail-biting saga of Otis’s (Yuriy Sardarov) injuries and Cruz’s (Joe Minoso) path from anger to forgiveness makes the kiss all the sweeter, a precursor to all the amazing moments with this couple to come.

4. “A Real Shot in the Arm”— Season 8, Episode 2:  Shadowhunters fans will find a familiar face in this episode as we are introduced to Blake Gallo (Alberto Rosende). Gallo’s arrival to Firehouse 51 not only introduces us to a new character who is willing to shake up the current team’s perception of what it is to be a firefighter but also allows the team to start moving toward healing and togetherness after the loss of Otis, highlighted in Mouch’s decision to become the new shareholder of Molly’s and Sylvie’s (Kara Killmer) return to the team give the characters and viewers a sense of hope for the future of our favorite firehouse.

5. “That Kind of Heat”— Season 9, Episode 2: Back on the topic of ships, Casey and Sylvie fans will want to catch this episode. Their road has been a long one, but for a little while we finally see the two face the thing they had been avoiding: that they are in love. However, the moment is sadly diminished by a confession from Casey. Also, Ritter’s (Daniel Kyri) daring rescue and the resolution of Stella’s quest to find Kylie (Katelynn Shennett) (who went missing at the end of Season 8) give this episode highs and lows that can keep anyone guessing.

Stream every episode of Chicago Fire 

5 Must-Watch Episodes of Chicago PD (contains spoilers)

1. “Start Digging”— Season 3, Episode 23: Mysteries abound in this episode as Voight’s (Jason Beghe) son Justin (Josh Segarra) is implicated in the death of a woman found in the trunk of his car. However, all is not as it seems, and, sadly, Voight must pay the price before he can solve the case. Justin’s fate is a heartbreaking moment for this season finale, and Voight and the rest of the team show what happens when you go after one of Intelligence’s own. Voight’s final demonstration of just how he plans to enforce justice in Chicago going forward makes this episode a must-watch.

2. “Monster”—Season 5, Episode 9: The twists and turns in this episode as the unit tries to take down a drug ring will keep you on the edge of your seat. The moment they arrest their prime suspect on the bus perfectly showcases the team’s ability to think on their feet and cements their connection. This connection is further demonstrated as Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) finally sends Woods (Mykelti Williamson) packing, but we are left to wonder what Voight plans on doing to Ruzek in retaliation for his betrayal.

3. “Descent”—Season 6, Episode 9: Dawson’s (Jon Seda) drug addiction has been a heartbreaking journey to witness and, in this episode, the other shoe finally drops His daughter Eva (Ariana Cordero) is kidnapped by a drug dealer who demands Dawson release his associate, whom Intelligence arrested during a raid where they also find Dawson trying to buy drugs. This entire episode is a low point for fan-favorite Dawson, who tries to help solve the case while going out of his mind with worry for his daughter. As the stakes become higher, we wonder how the unit will handle the fallout. This is a midseason finale that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

4. “I Was Here”—Season 7, Episode 13: Burgess (Marina Squerciati) really gets to shine in this episode as, during her time working as a 911 call operator, she leads the charge against a sex-trafficking ring. Burgess trying to get Mira (Brianne Tju) to flip on the ring showcases the determination of not only Burgess but of the entire Intelligence unit. Burgess’s ability to multitask as she assists from the phones to pinpoint the ring’s location allows her to really display her stuff, and really makes the ending even more heart-wrenching. All in all, a powerful episode for fans of Burgess as well as a strong show of the unit’s devotion to each other and the city they protect.

5. “Out of the Depths”—Season 10, Episode 17: Fans of Ruzek and Burgess will be jumping for joy during this episode. The two getting back together is the cherry on top of a moving episode whose focus is healing. Fueled by Burgess’s sympathy for Ruby (Rae Gray) and her own realizations during a joint therapy session with Ruzek, their ultimate kiss not only gives fans a reason to celebrate the couple’s reunion but also shows that Burgess is taking the right steps to heal from all that she has gone through.

Stream every episode of Chicago PD 

5 Must-Watch Episodes of Chicago Med (contains spoilers)  

1. “Timing”—Season 1, Episode 18: This explosive first-season finale highlights the fortitude and companionship of the hospital as Natalie (Tory DeVitto) assists a sick infant on the eve of her graduation. Meanwhile, April (Yaya DaCosta) faces a TB diagnosis after she deals with a disorderly patient, as well as an odd marriage proposal from her boyfriend. Choi’s (Brian Tee) concerns over his new bird and Downey’s (Gregg Henry) tragic fate all work to make the episode a powerful showcase of just what the staff of the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center can weather.

2. “Prisoner’s Dilemma”—Season 2, Episode 16: This episode is not afraid to ask hard questions as everyone is faced with patients they cannot untangle themselves from. April and Choi must aid a mother and daughter who are caught in the crossfire of a drug ring and who face multiple emergency surgeries to get the drugs out of their bodies. Meanwhile, Natalie fights for a comatose patient who may not be in a coma. These patients demonstrate the power of family and how easily it can be torn apart without proper care. Thankfully, Chicago Med is there to provide.

3. “This is Now”—Season 3, Episode 18: This episode truly pushes the team to the limit as a block party is attacked, flooding the hospital to capacity. Choi takes charge and devises a strategy on the fly. But as the day wears on, more patients code despite the staff’s best efforts to save them, including an emergency surgery in the doctor’s lounge. This all comes to a head as the killer reveals himself, making this episode an intense moment for the hospital and a window into how strong this team of doctors and nurses is.

4. “All the Lonely People”—Season 4, Episode 10: The storyline of Dennis Mitchell (Ben Lorenz), getting into a car accident after shooting at April, Monique (Casey Tutton), and Doris (Lorena Diaz) helps cement the bond between the nurses. The episode also highlights Dr. Curry (Molly Kate Bernard), who is unable to maintain her calm demeanor in the face of rampant misogyny. This detour from her usual stoic persona has Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt) concerned and lets us see the character in a new light. The scene with Monique, April, and Maggie (Marlyne Barrett) on the couch together as they comfort a crying Monique once again highlights the connection these characters have, as well as showcases a nice bit of feminism in the face of such sexism. It’s a moving episode you cannot miss.

5. “Never Going Back to Normal”—Season 5, Episode 1: The season opens with a bang as a night shift doctor joins the characters we already know and love. The introduction of Dr. Crockett Marcel (Dominic Rains) to the show is a huge highlight of this episode as his cavalier attitude and quick thinking help in new and surprising ways. Between treating Natalie for her car accident and helping Dr. Charles treat a young man with schizophrenia, Marcel is quick to jump into the fray and shake up the status quo. It’s no wonder he became a fan favorite so fast.

Stream every episode of Chicago Med 

And Finally, Some Awesome Crossover Episodes of One Chicago

"Infection Parts I, II, III" – Chicago Fire Season 8, Episode 4; Chicago Med Season 5, Episode 4; Chicago PD Season 7, Episode 4: This three-part event is especially hard-hitting as the different teams work to eradicate a flesh-eating bacteria that has caused a city-wide outbreak. The episodes not only highlight the teams working together as a cohesive whole but also allow us to witness some personal character moments, including Upton’s (Tracy Spiridakos) bond with a young girl as they sit together in quarantine. The entire crossover is a perfect blend of gut-wrenching fear and moving hope that will make any newcomer to the One Chicago universe an instant fan.

"Profiles"/"Hiding Not Seeking" – Chicago PD Season 5, Episode 16; Chicago Fire Season 6, Episode 13: The 100^th episode of Chicago PD not only highlights why this unit works so well but also further cements the bond between Firehouse 51 and the Intelligence Unit as Trudy is caught in the crossfire of a deadly bombing at a TV studio. PD can track down the culprit and, with help from surprising undercover work by Sylvie and Dawson, they can capture a bomber with an axe to grind against the media. The crossover gives fans a heart-stopping story that truly highlights why this franchise works and further connects these characters as they guard the city they love.

How Do I Watch One Chicago?

Every episode of One Chicago is streaming now on Peacock. Head over now for even more burning hot moments in this amazing franchise!