How to Not Get Lost in the Windy City: A Hilariously Helpful Guide to Watching "Chicago" in Order
Ah, Chicago. City of broad shoulders, deep-dish pizza, and... a confusingly interconnected TV universe? Fear not, fellow couch potato, for I am here to guide you through the labyrinthine world of "Chicago" shows like a Dante navigating a firehouse.
First Things First: The Big Three (and a Half)
There are technically four shows in the "Chicago" franchise: Fire, P.D., Med, and the short-lived Justice. But let's be honest, Justice got put on trial and found guilty of cancellation (too soon?). We'll focus on the main three:
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Chicago Fire: Brace yourself for heart-stopping rescues, bromances that could melt steel, and enough slow-motion fire hose action to make you question your heterosexuality (or homosexuality, no judgement here). This is where the whole "Chicago" story begins, so buckle up, because things get from here.
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Chicago P.D. : These guys are the underlined reason Kevlar vests were invented. Get ready for gritty cop drama, intense interrogations, and enough Chicago street cred to make Al Capone blush (if he wasn't, you know, dead). Warning: May cause uncontrollable urges to yell "Chicago P.D.!" in your best Sergeant Voight impression.
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Chicago Med: While Fire and P.D. deal with the city's emergencies, Med is where they all end up needing stitches (or worse). Expect high-stakes medical drama, heartwarming patient recoveries, and enough medical jargon to make you feel like you could diagnose your goldfish.
Here's the Chronological Catch: Embrace the Chaos!
There's no single, bold "correct" way to watch these shows. Some folks like to be chronological control freaks, starting with Fire season 1, episode 1, and meticulously following the timeline as PD and Med weave their way in. This approach is admirable, but let's be real, it can feel like watching paint dry... or a particularly uneventful fire.
My recommendation? Embrace the beautiful chaos! Think of it like a delicious Chicago deep-dish pizza: a little bit of Fire for the crust, a dollop of PD for the spicy sausage, and a generous helping of Med for the gooey cheese. Here are a few fun ways to navigate the "Chicago" universe:
- The "Just Wing It" Approach: Pick a show, any show, and dive in! The beauty of these interconnected series is that you'll eventually catch up on the references and recurring characters, no matter where you start.
- The "Thematic Tuesday" Approach: Feeling indecisive? Dedicate a night to each show! Tuesdays can be for tear-jerking medical cases on Med, Wednesdays for busting bad guys on PD, and Thursdays for watching grown men heroically carry burning mattresses (don't try this at home, folks).
- The "OMG, There's a Crossover Event?!" Approach: Keep an eye out for those glorious crossover episodes where all three shows collide in a whirlwind of action and cameos. These are must-watch events, like the TV equivalent of a fireworks display over Lake Michigan.
Remember, the Most Important Rule is to Have Fun!
Ultimately, how you watch "Chicago" is up to you. Whether you're a meticulous planner or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of viewer, the most important thing is to enjoy the ride. So grab some popcorn (or a deep dish, we won't judge), settle in, and get ready to be entertained by the Windy City's finest firefighters, police officers, and medical professionals (with a healthy dose of drama thrown in for good measure).
