For fans of Chicago P.D., few relationships have endured the emotional highs and crushing lows quite like that of Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek. From unexpected pregnancies and heartbreaks to gunshot wounds and heroic rescues, their love story has spanned over a decade — woven through trauma, loyalty, and an undeniable bond. So when Season 12 finally delivered the long-awaited Burgess-Ruzek wedding, it should have felt monumental. Epic. Celebratory. But instead, it left many fans with one lingering feeling: disappointment.
Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) have been through it all. Their relationship began as a flirtation, evolved into a secret romance, and morphed into a heart-wrenching rollercoaster that fans couldn’t stop watching. They broke up, reunited, lost a child, fostered and adopted Makayla, and survived near-death experiences — all while working dangerous cases in the Intelligence Unit. Their love story has never been simple, but it’s always been powerful. And that complexity is precisely why their union needed to reflect the emotional investment both the characters and the audience have made.
There was no emotional speech from Trudy Platt. No heartfelt toast from Voight. No behind-the-scenes chaos that usually makes One Chicago weddings so compelling. And worst of all? The scene wasn’t even the climax of the episode. It felt more like a narrative footnote than a payoff moment. Burgess and Ruzek’s wedding wasn’t just about romantic closure — it was a symbol of survival. After losing their baby, enduring PTSD, and coming to terms with raising a child together amidst high-stress jobs, their decision to marry represented healing. For Kim, it was about finally allowing herself joy. For Adam, it was a long-overdue commitment to the family he’s always wanted.
Fans didn’t need a fairytale — but they did deserve a moment that acknowledged the weight of what this union meant. Weddings in ensemble shows often serve as a chance to explore character dynamics outside of the workplace. A Ruzek-Burgess wedding could’ve provided comic relief, sentimental callbacks, and a rare moment of unity for the Intelligence Unit — a family that rarely gets to celebrate.
Remember the emotional resonance of past events in the One Chicago universe? Will Halstead and Natalie Manning’s complicated romance on Chicago Med or the high-stakes wedding planning on Chicago Fire? They felt earned. They had room to breathe. Instead, Chicago P.D. seemed to treat the Burgess-Ruzek wedding like an item to check off a to-do list — a development that had to happen, but didn’t need to matter.
The creative decision to gloss over the wedding may hint at a broader shift in tone for Chicago P.D. Season 12. Recent episodes have leaned heavily into case-driven narratives, focusing more on procedural intensity than character growth. While the franchise is known for its gritty realism, fans tune in for the heart as much as the drama.
Despite the letdown, it’s not too late for Chicago P.D. to course correct. Upcoming episodes could explore the honeymoon phase (or lack thereof), Makayla’s adjustment, or how married life changes the way Burgess and Ruzek approach the job. They could revisit the wedding in flashbacks, or even offer a celebration scene with the team belatedly toasting to their union. But most of all, the writers must remember: fans don’t just invest in the cases. They invest in the people behind the badge.
Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek have been through hell and back — together and apart. Their journey to marriage was anything but smooth, which made the idea of their wedding such a powerful symbol. That’s why the underwhelming execution stings so deeply. In a show known for tension, grit, and heartbreak, their wedding could’ve been a rare chance for joy — a reminder that love can survive even the harshest storms. Instead, Chicago P.D. gave us a wedding that felt more like a technicality than a triumph.
