Dr. Archer Hesitates to Accept Kidney Donation from Son in Season 9 Premiere of Chicago Med

It seemed like a glimmer of hope for Dr. Dean Archer and his son Sean as Season 9 of Chicago Med kicked off, but things are not going as planned.

In the Season 8 finale, Sean, who is a recovering addict, was set to donate a kidney to his father, but his relapse delayed the donation. In the Season 9 premiere, Dr. Archer is still undergoing dialysis and his son is cleared to donate the kidney.

However, Archer seems reluctant to accept the donation. When informed by Hannah, a fellow doctor, that Sean is admitted for pre-op, Archer seems oblivious to the news. Reluctantly, he agrees to visit his son, where he learns that Sean’s tests are perfect and he is ready for the transplant surgery.

Despite Sean’s willingness to help his father, Archer starts having second thoughts. He tells Sean that he doesn’t have to go through with it, expressing his own feelings of guilt and unworthiness as a father. Sean reassures his father, sharing a story of a time as a child when helping someone made him happy.

Meanwhile, the doctors attend to a girl from a car wreck who recently received a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, her new kidney is not functioning well and bleeding. Upon learning this, Archer approaches Dr. Cameron, asking if Sean could be a potential match for the girl, Kayla. Dr. Cameron informs Archer that Sean is donating his kidney specifically to him and is not a match for Kayla.

Hannah overhears the conversation and confronts Archer about his intentions. She accuses him of not wanting Sean to give up his kidney for him, but rather being driven by the fact that Sean is willing to give it to him. Archer argues that there is a 13-year-old girl out there who needs a kidney, but Hannah points out Archer’s own deteriorating health.

Eventually, Archer opens up to Hannah, acknowledging his feelings of unworthiness as a father. Hannah, being a recovering addict herself, empathizes with his struggle and urges him not to deny Sean’s sacrifice. She emphasizes that denying this gift from Sean would only harm him.

The Season 9 premiere leaves viewers wondering if Archer will accept his son’s kidney. To find out, tune in to new episodes of Chicago Med on Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.