I’m not usually a fan of the May-December romance trope – but there are exceptions, particularly if I feel a deep soul connection rather than a creepiness. Consider Jane and Rochester, The Doctor and Rose, or even all the immortal vampire/human romances.
More recently, however, I admit I’ve been drawn into the very slow burn between Hannah Asher and Dean Archer on Chicago Med. There’s something about their chemistry and the unrequited love on Dean’s part that captures my attention.
The recent season finale finally made some headway with the Dean and Hannah relationship, so I thought it would be fitting to put the romantic spotlight on them.
The Build Up – Hannah and Dean
Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) is a physician at Gaffney Chicago Med specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and emergency medicine, with a complicated past. She grew up without a mother, with complex relationships with her father and sister, and has faced (and overcome) a heroin addiction.
Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber), on the other hand, is a board-certified surgeon and physician who also works in the emergency department. He, too, has faced trauma and struggled with PTSD after being in the Navy. He also has a difficult relationship with his son, although they are currently on much better terms and are close again.
Over the years, Hannah and Dean have developed an incredibly close, supportive friendship – that later turned into unrequited love (which I’m a total sucker for!) on Dean’s part – with Hannah often not much the wiser.
RELATED: Romantic Moment: Thomas and Kat in The Way Home – Fare Thee Well
Well, things got more complicated between them when, in a vulnerable moment, they had a one-night stand, and she became pregnant. This was all off-screen, of course, leaving viewers guessing (for a while anyway) if Dean was the father of her baby!
Throughout Chicago Med Season 11, it became more and more clear how much Dean is in love with Hannah. The question remained: would he finally tell her how he feels? Or would he keep his feelings to himself, worrying about ruining their friendship, being co-parents, and facing rejection?
So, that brings us to the Chicago Med Season 11 finale, with the Hannah and Dean romance taking another baby step forward.
Hannah Gives Birth to Baby Mabel in the Season 11 Finale
After being held hostage, Dean finally makes it in time for Hannah to give birth to their baby girl! But will he confess his romantic feelings or hide them away?
As the happy parents look at their beautiful baby girl, Hannah decides on a name.
“Well, hello there, Mabel,” Hannah says softly.
“Mabel? Who’s that after?” Dean asks.
“It’s not after anyone. She just looks like a Mabel,” Hannah replies with a happy laugh.
“Welcome to the world, Mabel!”
This sweet exchange brings us to the romantic moment.
Hannah Asher and Dean Archer – The Romantic Moment: A Thousand Moments
Looking a bit nervous, Dean courageously decides to tell Hannah his true feelings – after all this time. And it’s beautiful and emotional to watch.
“I love you, Hannah, and I have for a long time,” he confesses. “Before our girl, before the Crunch Berries, long before. I wish I could pinpoint a moment, but if I’m being honest, it wasn’t just one moment; it was thousands of moments which revealed to me what I feel for you, what I’ve always felt.”
Hannah takes it all in. She had been so stressed, anxious (particularly since her mother died giving birth to her), and overwhelmed, she didn’t really have time to consider any romantic feelings.
She answers with much ambiguity: “My brain had already hit maximum overload, just the pregnancy, work, the nightmares, and my general overall anxiety, I couldn’t really process it, but thank you for telling me now.”
Hmm. It’s not exactly a confession on Hannah’s part, but it isn’t a rejection either.
Hannah then kisses Dean, leaving him (and all of us viewers) confused but hopeful.
It’s such a sweet, heartfelt, and authentic moment.
Does Hannah Love Dean? Chicago Med Showrunner and Actress Jessy Schram Drop Some Clues
In a recent interview with TVLine, Jessy Schram and showrunner Allen MacDonald gave some revealing answers.
Yes, according to MacDonald, the moment and Hannah’s response were intended to be ambiguous. “They’re not quite on the same page, but the emotion is real, and there is love there.” That said, her response is not “pity.”
According to Jessy Schram, she believes “that Hannah loves Dean.” She explains that “the now for me was really important. Thank you for telling me now means I’m so grateful, and now we can be in this moment, and now we can move forward.”
RELATED: See Lucifer and Chloe as ‘Partners ‘Til the End’ in the Romantic and Beautiful Finale
She continues: “I do believe that there is a love there. And I think from this moment on, we get to explore what that love could possibly be. And I don’t even know that Hannah knows what that looks like, and maybe that’s why you’re unsure.”
That said, in good news, after a REALLY slow burn, MacDonald confirms that the Hannah and Archer romantic relationship “will be defined” in season 12.
So, do Hannah and Archer get together? Well, we will have to wait and see what happens next!
If you loved this article, you’ll love these related posts:
- Romantic Moment of the Month: New Amsterdam – Max and Helen
- Romantic Moment of the Month: The Love Story of Schmigadoon’s Melissa and Josh
- Classic Romantic Moment: Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester
- Best Medicine vs Doc Martin: How the Remake Compares to the Original
- 100 of the Most Unabashedly Romantic TV Shows to Watch
PIN THIS ARTICLE! AND MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST.
