Chicago Med’: S. Epatha Merkerson Discusses Sharon’s Love Life and Bert’s Memory Concerns

Following the conclusion of the most recent episode, Sharon finds herself deeply concerned about her ex-husband Bert’s (Greg Alan Williams) deteriorating memory. In the compelling February 21 episode titled “I Make A Promise, I Will Never Leave You,” she enlists the expertise of Dr. Charles (Oliver Platt) for Bert’s assessment. Meanwhile, Sharon’s love life is blossoming; her relationship with the esteemed chief of oncology, Dr. Dennis Washington (John Earl Jelks), continues to flourish, much to the delight of fans.

In anticipation of what’s next, TV Insider caught up with Merkerson to delve into several pressing topics: the troubling signs surrounding Bert’s health, the heartwarming progression of her romance with Dennis, and, undoubtedly, the cherished dynamic between Sharon and Charles—a relationship that holds a special place in the hearts of viewers.

At the end of the last episode, Sharon learns there’s a reason to be concerned about Bert’s memory and she can’t ignore that. How is she handling that, especially when she knows what this could mean, not just for now, but in the long run?

It’s the usual thing. First of all, she’s dealing with the fact that he’s back in her life, which he’s been in and out for the past nine seasons. And so she’s a little ticked by that and because she’s found this new man in her life now, so she’s got to work out those issues, being a single woman and having an ex-husband who just keeps showing up.

And it’s never a good thing that happens when he shows up. It’s never just a, “Hi, how are you?” There’s always something going on. Indeed. But that’s what drama is about, right? Exactly.

In this next episode, Shannon recruits Dr. Charles to evaluate his memory. What can you preview? Because Charles has history with Bert, too.

Charles and Goodwin have been friends for some 40 years. She’s known all of his exes, and he’s only known Bert. So I think that because they have this friendship, Charles would be the first person that she would call for help because they always had a good relationship, Bert Goodwin and Daniel Charles. He will be helping her at some points in the story because Bert can be a little irascible as well.

Who is Sharon going to be leaning on while she’s dealing with this stuff with Bert? Maggie (Marlyne Barrett)? Charles? Dennis? That relationship seems to be going well, but is this something she would turn to him about?

I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. I doubt that she would go to this man she’s just starting to see. I would think it would be Charles because he’s the one that has the history with Bert. He knows everything about the struggles that we’ve had over the years, and he’s a calming influence on both of us, I think it’s fair to say. Friendships are deep, and I think if she has to go to someone, it would definitely be Daniel Charles.

Speaking of that relationship, I love that we’re seeing Sharon in a romance. I love that she has that in her life. It seems to be going well. They’ve gotten past some minor possible bumps between keeping the relationship secret then that run-in when she was with Bert. How would you describe the relationship in this coming episode?

I think that you’ll just see them still at that sort of infant stage of it. There are little moments where they see each other in the hospital, and there are little quick moments of saying hello, a smile or touch on the hand or on the back, those things that make us giddy. I think that’s sort of interesting about this because it’s rare sometimes that you see women of a certain age have these kinds of relationships on television. You always see it with the young folk, but that’s why I like this because it’s showing a mature woman who’s giggly. And I love that.

It’s also kind of drama free compared to everything else going on in her life, not just with Bert, but everything she has to deal with in the hospital.

Exactly. There’s always some issue. There’s a drug in the next episode that we deal with. There’s the insurance mess that a lot of hospitals are dealing with and patients are dealing with now. In fact, my cardiologist watches the show, and he loved the fact that we’re having this discussion about insurance, so I know we’re making an impact. Those are some of the things that right now Goodwin is dealing with.

Source: TvInsider, Chicago Med, Wednesdays, 8/7c, CBS