Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Weber) has been through the wringer on Season 10 of Chicago Med, and a family tragedy just tossed him into further chaos.

After being demoted from co-chief of the Emergency Department, Archer has found himself a bit in flux as he adjusts to his new role. Archer’s resilience is a testament to his tremendous growth in recent seasons. After getting a kidney transplant and a new lease on life in Season 9, Archer has enjoyed reconnecting with his son, Sean (Luigi Sottile). He’s also softened around the hospital, making a close friend in Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram).

Archer has always been defined by his work, but after getting some tragic news in Med‘s April 2 episode, he’s doing some soul-searching. Below, read what happened to him in Season 10, Episode 17 (“The Book of Archer”).

A tragic d3ath rocked the Archer family

Sean Archer (Luigi Sottile) appears in a scene from Chicago Med, Season 8 Episode 20. Photo: George Burns Jr/NBC

Ever since Sean moved down to Florida to be closer to his mother, Archer’s ex-wife Leanne (Paula Marshall), the Gaffney doctor has relished any call from his son to check in. However, after Sean called Archer from a hospital, alarm bells began ringing.

“The ambulance brought mom here,” Sean told his father. “She went on a bender, tripped, and hit her head on the kitchen counter. It caused a brain bleed.”

Archer had countless questions, asking Sean to let him speak with Leanne’s doctor.

“She’s gone, dad,” Sean confessed tearfully.

Archer was blindsided, struggling to find words. “I’m so sorry, son,” Archer choked out. “I will catch the next flight down, and I’ll help you figure everything out.”

“There’s nothing you can do,” Sean said, adding that his mom didn’t want a funeral after being cremated. Before their chat could continue, Sean got flagged down to help with something at the hospital, leaving Archer stunned and devastated by the tragic update.

Dr. Archer (Steven Weber) appears in Season 9 Episode 1 of Chicago Med Photo: George Burns Jr./NBC

Feeling helpless, Archer headed to work, where he proceeded to have one of the most chaotic days in the Emergency Department. From supernatural experiences to nurse staffing shortages, Archer seriously saw it all. It was a welcomed distraction, but Archer remained on edge as he struggled to repress the devastation of his loss.

Hannah Asher showed up for Archer when he needed it

Dr. Hannah Asher (Jessy Schram) and Dr. Dean Archer (Steven Webber) in Chicago Med Season 9 Episode 4, “These Are Not the Droids You are Looking For.” Photo: Adrian S Burrows Sr/NBC

Following his harrowing work day, Archer struggled to keep thoughts of his ex-wife’s d3ath at bay. After Hannah found Archer brooding on the rooftop, he finally revealed what had happened. Archer then confessed that Leanne had begun drinking after Sean was born. Archer was enlisted at the time, often leaving Leanne to raise Sean alone. The distance and resentment led Archer and Leanne’s marriage to crumble. Archer left Leanne and Sean entirely out of fear of making matters worse.

“Who does that?” Archer asked incredulously, telling Hannah that if he’d stuck around longer, his son may have never struggled with drug addiction, and his ex-wife would maybe still be alive. But Hannah was having none of it.

“Stop torturing yourself,” Hannah urged him.

“Oh, come on, my inability to change the past leaves me with no other option,” Archer shrugged.

“OK, well, I think you’re choosing that option,” Hannah said. “And if you’re ‘gonna keep choosing to torture yourself, then you’re ‘gonna do it alone.”

As Hannah went to leave, Archer cried out, “Hey, alone is something I’m pretty good at.”

“And how is that working out for you, Dean?” Hannah snapped. “You can’t shoulda-coulda-woulda your life; trust me, I’ve tried. It’s a d3ad end. You still have time to live your life, but you have to take the past — treat it as a lesson. A necessary step to get you to where you want to be.”

“Where do I want to be?” Archer asked helplessly.

“That’s up to you,” Hannah said.

Archer headed home and had a heartwarming Zoom call with his son, reminding Sean that his mother loved him dearly. As he went to pour a bowl of Cap’n Crunch, he discovered an empty box. But before Archer could be dismayed, his doorbell rang. It was Hannah, offering an olive branch in the form of some Cap’n Crunch Berries. While he appreciated the gesture, Archer admitted he didn’t eat the berry flavor because it was “indulgent.”

“Maybe it’s time for a change?” Hannah suggested.

“Maybe it is,” Archer smiled. “Come in.”

Find out what happens to Archer next by watching Chicago Med on Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC or by streaming episodes on Peacock.