The One Chicago crossovers have become an annual event that fans eagerly anticipate, bringing together characters from Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. for an action-packed, emotionally charged spectacle. However, the 2025 crossover has left many viewers frustrated and disappointed—not because of the storyline itself, but because of the way it underutilized some of its strongest characters, particularly those from Chicago P.D.
For a franchise built on character-driven storytelling, this felt like a significant misstep.
A Crossover That Forgot Its Best Players
Over the years, Chicago P.D. has earned a reputation as the grittiest, most intense installment of the One Chicago universe. The Intelligence Unit, led by Hank Voight, has consistently delivered high-stakes investigations, morally complex cases, and some of the best character arcs in the franchise. However, in this latest crossover, Chicago P.D. felt like an afterthought rather than a central force in the storyline. While Chicago Fire and Chicago Med had extended screen time, complete with major emotional moments for their leading characters, Chicago P.D.’s contribution felt minimal and disjointed. Characters like Kim Burgess, Adam Ruzek, Kevin Atwater, and even Voight himself were pushed into the background, with little more than a few reaction shots and underdeveloped subplots.
The Mistake of Making P.D. a Supporting Player
One of the major issues with the 2025 crossover was that it focused too heavily on a medical and firefighting crisis, sidelining the police procedural aspect that makes Chicago P.D. so compelling. Instead of placing Intelligence at the heart of the investigation, the show relegated its characters to cleanup duty, responding to events rather than driving the action. For fans of Chicago P.D., this was particularly frustrating. The show thrives when it’s leading the charge, tackling dangerous criminals, dealing with ethical dilemmas, and testing the limits of justice. By reducing its characters to background roles, the crossover failed to capitalize on one of its most intense and engaging storytelling elements.
Where Was the Balance?
Crossovers should be about seamlessly integrating all three shows, giving each a fair share of the spotlight while maintaining their unique identities. But instead of striking that balance, the 2025 crossover felt lopsided, favoring Chicago Fire and Chicago Med at the expense of Chicago P.D.. This isn’t the first time One Chicago has struggled with balancing screen time between its shows, but it’s especially disappointing given that Chicago P.D. is often considered the most dynamic and fast-paced series in the franchise. Fans were expecting tense interrogations, tactical takedowns, and Voight’s signature intensity—instead, they got fleeting appearances and a storyline that could have been so much more compelling if P.D. had been properly integrated.
Missed Opportunities
The lack of focus on Chicago P.D. wasn’t just a matter of screen time—it was also a missed opportunity to showcase character growth and evolving dynamics.
- Where was Atwater’s leadership? He has grown into a formidable officer, but the crossover barely gave him a moment to shine.
- Burgess and Ruzek’s personal storyline was sidelined. With their wedding on the horizon, this could have been a great way to explore their evolving relationship amid the chaos.
- Voight’s role felt reduced. As the backbone of Chicago P.D., Voight should have had a larger presence in the investigation, but instead, his screen time was limited to a handful of scenes.
The Fallout: A Disappointed Fanbase
After the crossover aired, One Chicago fans took to social media to express their frustration. Many felt that Chicago P.D. deserved more respect in an event that was supposed to showcase the best of the franchise.
Some of the most common complaints included:
✔ P.D. characters feeling like cameos in their own universe
✔ Too much emphasis on firefighting and medical emergencies, with minimal investigative work
✔ A lack of emotional depth for P.D.’s strongest storylines
Can the Next Crossover Fix This?
The 2025 One Chicago crossover may have been a letdown for Chicago P.D. fans, but it also presents a learning opportunity. Moving forward, NBC needs to ensure that each show gets equal weight in these large-scale events, rather than pushing P.D. to the sidelines. The Intelligence Unit deserves to be at the center of the action, not reduced to an afterthought. If future crossovers can correct this imbalance, they’ll stand a much better chance of delivering the thrilling, emotionally charged storytelling that One Chicago fans have come to expect.
