Almost since the beginning of Chicago PD, fans have wondered about Hank Voight’s personal life, and many of them have campaigned to get Voight a love interest. Season 12, Episode 4, “The After,” addresses both of those topics by digging up a case that Voight previously handled shortly after the death of his wife Camille. What could be a melodramatic episode ends up being a satisfying hour — even if it ends without the romantic moment some fans have hoped for.
“The After” is not for the faint of heart, though, as it deals with a serial rapist whom Voight was unable to catch back in 2009. When the rapist resumes their attacks, the head of the Intelligence Unit is determined to set things right. He receives an unexpected and very welcome assist from Assistant State’s Attorney Nina Chapman, which allows for a further exploration of Voight and Chapman’s relationship. It’s an episode that reminds viewers that Voight is very human, and suggests Season 12 might take him in a new direction.
Do Voight and Chapman Get Together in Chicago PD?
Season 12, Episode 4 Makes Them a Great Team
Chicago PD fans have been shipping Voight and Chapman since Season 11, which heavily suggested that Chapman was romantically interested in Voight. Season 11, Episode 6, “Survival” included a fourth act scene in which Chapman showed up at Voight’s house and talked about whether or not he wanted to be alone. Almost a full season later, “The After” drops an even bigger bombshell that’s not explicit affirmation of a Voight and Chapman romance, but it comes very close. All that’s left is for the two characters to actually hook up.
“Survival” felt strange because the show hadn’t explained why Chapman and Voight would be interested in each other, or explained much about her as a character. “The After” satisfies both those requirements. An early scene in which Chapman is able to get through to the newest victim is the best example of why audiences should care about her, let alone Voight. The script allows it to play out, too; audiences see not just what she does, but her thought process in doing it, and a compassion that makes her more than just “brassy lawyer.” There’s something poetic about the episode later having Voight approach another victim in a similar way, implying that he’s learned from Chapman.
What’s particularly memorable is that Chicago PD shows how Chapman complements Voight without devolving into obvious romantic moments. In one scene where Voight confronts a judge, there’s a close-up of her reaching for Voight’s arm to try and stop him, but that’s a subtle gesture. It would be very easy for the script to push them into some impulsive kiss or other scene using the heightened emotions of the story as an excuse; that’s happened on countless other shows, including in the One Chicago universe. But that’s not who Voight is, and it would take away from establishing that Voight and Chapman make a good professional pair, not just a potential couple.
The final scene of the episode involves the two characters having a difficult conversation, and some viewers may be upset that Chapman doesn’t specifically say she’s in love with Voight, nor does the show end with them acting on any feelings. Her stating “I have feelings for you” is just clear enough to be interpreted romantically but leave wiggle room for the writers — which is concerning, since fans also thought that Voight could get together with Samantha Miller, only for her to be written out of the series. Hopefully Chapman doesn’t suffer that fate or fall victim to the revolving door of ASAs, because this episode shows that she does have something to offer both Voight and Chicago PD as a whole.
The whole opening of the episode follows Voight through his morning, which would seem like a slow start if it were any other character, but because it’s Voight, it’s charming to see even the most mundane details. (The mentions of the historically terrible Chicago White Sox season will be entertaining for any viewers who are baseball fans.) Dialogue with Chapman adds a little more detail, without taking away from the case. Voight is so well-known for being the supercop that it tends to oversimplify his character. He’s either charging through the bad guys or angsting about something. “The After” is another reminder of Voight’s vulnerability, his heart and why he’s so committed to his job. It also is a fantastic episode for Jason Beghe, because it’s the antithesis of the Season 12 premiere. In that episode, Voight was just angsting and going through the motions. In this episode, audiences see the emotion that makes him so invested.
