Throughout the history of Chicago Med, the hit TV show has made fans care about a lot of characters. As a result, many fans don’t want to see Dr. Charles suffer, they want to see characters from the past return, and they are happy that Sharon Goodwin has had great storylines. While all of that is great, it could easily be argued that another one of Chicago Med’s original characters is the one that many fans care about the most.
Unfortunately for fans, there have been times when the character Maggie Lockwood has been in the background too much. However, a recent Chicago Med episode was simply perfect for the show’s most passionate fans who adore Maggie.
Why A Recent Chicago Med Union Fight Storyline Told A Perfect Maggie Lockwood Story
At various times in Chicago Med’s history, the show has treated Maggie Lockwood very similar to what happens to nurses in real-life. Even though Maggie has often been the heart and soul of Chicago Med’s cast, the character hasn’t been given the respect she deserves too often.
Instead of treating Maggie like the formidable character with a heart of gold she is, the show at times has gotten her involved in too much melodrama. Fortunately for fans and everyone working on the show, Chicago Med’s 10th season has done a great job with many of its characters.
A recent episode of Chicago Med was a perfect example of how the 10th season has been treating characters right. After all, it can be argued that a recent Chicago Med episode was a perfect example of how the show should portray Maggie.
On May 7th, 2025, the 20th episode of Chicago Med’s 10th season aired and featured a major storyline that revolved around Marlyne Barrett’s character, Maggie Lockwood.
Chicago Med’s Best Characters, According to CBR | |
|---|---|
Character | Rank |
Dr. Sarah Reese | #10 |
Maggie Lockwood | #9 |
Dr. Connor Rhodes | #8 |
Dr. Dylan Scott | #7 |
Dr. Natalie Manning | #6 |
Dr. Will Halstead | #5 |
April Sexton | #4 |
Dr. Ethan Choi | #3 |
Sharon Goodwin | #2 |
Dr. Daniel Charles | #1 |
When the episode begins, it is revealed that many of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center’s nurses are going home sick. At first, it seems like the always stalwart Maggie won’t be one of them. However, early on during the episode, Maggie also leaves the ED, which marks the beginning of her character’s perfect storyline.
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As it turns out, none of the nurses who’ve gone home are actually sick. Instead, they are conducting what is known as a sick out. For those that don’t know, a sick out involves employees pretending to go home with an illness to send a message about how important their work is.
According to Famous Birthdays, Marlyne Barrett was born on September 13th, 1978 in Brooklyn, New York. That means that, as of May 2025, Marlyne is 46 years old.
Instead of going home, the nurses huddled together at a nearby restaurant to discuss their efforts to get a better employee contract they feel they deserve.
As a character, it has always been clear that Maggie is an extremely caring person who far too often puts the needs of others first. While that has long been obvious, Chicago Med fans should also know that Maggie is an iron-willed person who will always do what she thinks is right.
Throughout Chicago Med’s history, there have only been three actors who’ve been credited in every episode. As IMDb shows, those three actors are Marlyne Barrett who portrays Maggie Lockwood, S. Epatha Merkerson who portrays Sharon Goodwin, and Oliver Platt who portrays Dr. Daniel Charles.
One of the reasons why Maggie’s storyline in this episode was perfect is that it brought those two facets of her personality to the forefront in a fascinating way.
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As a truly dedicated nurse, there has never been any question that Maggie would never put the care of her patients at risk. Since Maggie took part in the sick out, the episode’s storyline serves as a great indication of how much faith she has in the hospital’s non-nurse employees.
As a human being, it has often been clear that Maggie will take a stand she thinks is morally right, even if it puts herself at risk. The sick out storyline epitomizes that in two perfect ways that totally fit her character.
First off, since Maggie feels that the nurses are being wronged, she not only took part in the sick out, it is revealed the action was her idea. However, once the sick out starts, Maggie also stands against a union leader who she seems to feel isn’t fighting for the right things.
After Sharon Goodwin seeks Maggie out and gives her an offer, the union leader argues to reject it believing they can get more. However, Maggie feels that the offer is a good one that the nurses should strongly consider. During two pivotal scenes, Maggie argues with the union leader on behalf of what she thinks is right for the nurses. Ultimately, Maggie continues to meet with Sharon in an effort to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement that can put the welfare of the nurses, patients, and hospital first.
As a result of Maggie’s efforts, the nurses accept a deal that will provide them with less money than a past offer, but more power. An active nurse who works in the hospital will sit on a board and help make decisions that effects the hospital, patients, and nurses. That deal perfectly shows that Maggie prioritizes what she feels matters the most above money. Simultaneously, Maggie ensures that she and the other nurses will be able to get free lunches, a benefit that the doctors already had at the hospital. In doing so, Maggie also fought to ensure that the nurses feel like they are being treated with more of the respect they deserve.
The union fight storyline showed Maggie’s iron-will, her deep well of caring for those around her, and her incredible instincts. Not only that, the 20th episode of Chicago Med’s 10th season also featured another moment that epitomizes the character in another way.
How A Scene With Dr. John Frost Also Epitomized What Makes Maggie Lockwood A Great Character
During the 10th season of Chicago Med, fans were introduced to Darren Barnet, who debuted on the show as the character Dr. John Frost. From his first episode, Dr. Frost and Maggie’s relationship was in the spotlight as she helped him treat a young patient. However, their relationship was put in turmoil later on when they disagreed over Dr. Frost’s past trauma.
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The following paragraph will refer to a fictional abusive relationship in very general terms.
Partway through the 10th season of Chicago Med, Maggie learns that Dr. Frost was in a disturbing relationship as a teen. A former TV star when he was young, Dr. Frost’s co-star in her 30s groomed him when he wasn’t even 17 years old and convinced him to be in a relationship with her.
When Maggie learned about Dr. Frost’s disturbing past, she pushed him to realize he’d been wronged and to take action. In response, Dr. Frost doesn’t accept Maggie’s advice and tells her to leave him alone. While Maggie’s handling of the situation was highly questionable, what happened at the end of Chicago Med Season 10’s 20th episode was great to see.
After taking some time to come to terms with his past, Dr. Frost comes to the conclusion that Maggie was right. As a result, he decides to apologize to Maggie at the end of the episode. Putting aside the drama, Maggie is shown telling Dr. Frost she is going to take the time to be there for him at that moment instead of celebrating with the nurses.
Ultimately, the Chicago Med episode’s ending moment highlights how caring Maggie is as a character.
Chicago Med
- Release Date
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November 17, 2015
- Network
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NBC
- Showrunner
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Michael Brandt
- Directors
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Michael Waxman, Michael Pressman, Charles S. Carroll, Milena Govich, Anna Dokoza, Bethany Rooney, Fred Berner, Tess Malone, Mykelti Williamson, SJ Main Muñoz, Donald Petrie, Martha Mitchell, Vincent Misiano, Timothy Busfield, Jonathan Brown, John Polson, Stephen Cragg, Anthony Nardolillo, Michael Berry, David Rodriguez, Afia Nathaniel, Oz Scott, Valerie Weiss, Gonzalo Amat
- Writers
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Joseph Sousa, Lily Dahl, Natalie Drayer, Darin Goldberg, Shelley Meals, Melissa R. Byer, Treena Hancock, Mary Leah Sutton, Simran Baidwan, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Jason Cho, Will Pascoe, Liz Brixius
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Marlyne Barrett
Maggie Lockwood
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S. Epatha Merkerson
Sharon Goodwin
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Oliver Platt
Dr. Daniel Charles
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Nick Gehlfuss
Dr. Will Halstead
