As Season 12 of Chicago P.D. races toward its dramatic conclusion, Episode 21 titled “Open Casket” arrives as the penultimate chapter, packed with suspense, emotional intensity, and the mounting pressure that only this show knows how to deliver. With tensions building across the Intelligence Unit, this episode sets the stage for a finale that promises to change everything. “Open Casket” premiered on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT on NBC, keeping its usual Wednesday-night slot. For fans who prefer to stream the episodes on their own time, it became available on Peacock the following day. This has been the typical pattern all season long, giving viewers flexibility to stay up to date either in real-time or at their convenience.
Season 12 has been a slow burn of escalating conflict. The threat from Deputy Chief Charlie Reid has loomed large, and the Intelligence Unit has spent the back half of the season gathering evidence, making strategic moves, and battling both internal doubts and external corruption. Reid, a calculating and dangerous presence within the CPD hierarchy, has placed a target on the unit’s back, and each episode has pulled our favorite detectives deeper into a web of deception, betrayal, and risk.At the center of the storm is Sergeant Hank Voight, a man used to operating on the edge of the law, now forced to reckon with the consequences of his decisions more than ever. His instincts, once his greatest weapon, are being tested in ways we haven’t seen before.
Episode 21 narrows its focus on Voight’s increasingly personal crusade to bring Reid down. As Voight homes in on Otero—one of Reid’s key allies—the stakes escalate dramatically. Otero is the kind of character that always seems one step ahead, but in this episode, cracks begin to show. The Intelligence Unit sees an opportunity to make a move, but it’s not without cost. The episode’s title, “Open Casket,” is symbolic. It speaks not just to the very real danger that surrounds the team, but also to the metaphorical exposure of truths, lies, and past decisions. Secrets come to light, and decisions that were once hidden in shadows are now on full display.
Voight struggles with how far he’s willing to go to take Reid down. Is this just another case, or has it become personal? His conversations with Chapman throughout the episode hint at something deeper—an emotional core that’s been bubbling under the surface all season long. Their growing connection adds another layer to the narrative, complicating Voight’s already blurry moral compass.
Trudy Platt continues to be the rock of the 21st District, providing both support and reality checks for those around her. Meanwhile, Ruzek and Burgess find themselves once again entangled in the emotional whirlwind of their personal and professional lives colliding. With their wedding looming in the finale, “Open Casket” drops subtle hints about the emotional stakes involved for the couple. There’s a tension—not just in the case they’re solving, but in the pressure to protect what they’ve built together. Kevin Atwater continues to be a pillar of strength, often the voice of reason when things start to spiral. His growing partnership with Dante Torres adds a fresh energy to the team, and their dynamic continues to evolve in compelling ways. And then there’s Upton. Still reeling from past losses and the strain of Halstead’s absence, she finds herself more isolated than ever. Though quieter in this episode, her presence is significant. There’s an emotional weight to her scenes that suggests her arc is far from over.
“Open Casket” is a tightly wound hour of television. The pacing is deliberate, but never slow. It’s more psychological than action-packed, though there are still moments of classic Chicago P.D. intensity. What makes this episode so gripping is the emotional build-up. Each scene feels like a piece of a puzzle that’s almost complete, but not quite. There’s a lingering tension in every exchange — like something big is coming. The writing is sharp, and the performances are grounded in a realism that fans have come to expect. Jason Beghe delivers a particularly powerful performance as Voight, reminding us why this character remains the emotional and moral anchor of the series.
“Open Casket” isn’t just filler before the finale. It’s a crucial chapter that lays the emotional and narrative groundwork for what’s coming next. The episode leaves viewers on edge, with major storylines set up for resolution—or destruction—in Episode 22. It’s the kind of episode that reminds you why you’ve stayed with Chicago P.D. for twelve seasons. The drama is real, the stakes are high, and every decision made by these characters feels like it could be the one that changes everything.
All eyes now turn to the Season 12 finale. With tensions at an all-time high, fans are bracing themselves for what could be one of the most explosive season-enders in Chicago P.D. history. Will Reid finally be brought to justice? Can Voight keep his team intact without compromising who they are? And what about Burgess and Ruzek — will they make it to their wedding day in one piece? “Open Casket” ends on a note of uneasy anticipation. The funeral metaphor might not be literal, but the feeling is clear: something — or someone — is about to fall. Whether it’s a career, a relationship, or a life, the consequences are going to be lasting.
