Chicago Med season 11 is going to bring back more than a few familiar faces, but not all character returns are likely to be met with the same level of enthusiasm.
While there is a lot of excitement around the return of Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead and the tease that additional characters from the show’s early seasons could be coming back, we’re not sure how fans are going to react to the return of one of Chicago Med’s more polarizing characters. As confirmed by TVLine, the upcoming eleventh season will indeed see the return of Gregory Alan Williams as Goodwin’s ex-husband, Bert.
In the season 10 finale, we saw Goodwin opening up to Bert during a visit in which she reflected on how finding forgiveness seems to be getting harder the older she gets, yet that she felt hopeful and glad to be alive following her brush with death earlier in the season. It was a sweet moment showing how strong the pair’s connection is, despite all the heartache Bert may have caused her.
That surprise visit to see Bert in the season finale was apparently just a taste of what’s to come for the exes. Season 11 will feature more of Bert, who showrunner Allen MacDonald teased “will always be home” for Goodwin, which makes perfect sense.
Although their marriage did not end on the best of terms after he walked out on her, the pair have a strong connection. They’ve always remained in one another’s lives, thanks largely to their three kids, who it seems we’ll also be seeing more of this season.
What will be interesting to see is exactly how large a role Bert plays in Goodwin’s storyline this season. The cynic in us also wonders if we should worry that seeing more of Bert could be an indication that a tragic end could be coming in season 11.
Since being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in season 9, Bert’s health has been declining quickly. Could his bigger presence in season 11 build the character up in a way that wins over those who haven’t been his biggest fans over the years, only to then break their hearts by the season’s end with Bert passing? It’s something we’re certainly worried about given how many times the show has broken our hearts over the years.
We'll see what the future holds for Bert and Goodwin when Chicago Med season 11 begins on October 1 at 8/7c.