Let’s not sugarcoat it—Season 12, Episode 13 of Chicago PD dropped the ball, and fans are not staying quiet about it. This episode was supposed to deepen Kevin Atwater’s arc, but instead, it ended up sidelining a character who’s been carrying emotional weight and integrity since day one.
In this review, we’ll unpack exactly where the show went wrong, how it hurt Atwater’s development, and what this could mean for future episodes.
🎭 The Episode Setup: It Started With Promise
At the start, things looked promising. The episode opened with tension, real stakes, and a complex case. You could feel it brewing—Atwater was going to be central. And for a few fleeting scenes, he was.
But then? It unraveled faster than you could say “intelligence unit.”
🧍♂️ Atwater’s Role: Undercut and Undervalued
Let’s be honest—Atwater is one of the most compelling characters on the show. A Black man navigating the blue wall of policing, he’s always walked a tightrope between loyalty and moral conflict.
In this episode, though, he was reduced to a reactionary side character in a story that should’ve been about him. All the nuance, all the emotional layers we’ve seen before? Gone. Just… gone.
🗂️ Plot Misfire: A Case That Lacked Depth
Sure, the case had potential. It touched on themes of corruption, community, and betrayal—classic Chicago PD elements. But the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, the twists were predictable, and worst of all, it didn’t feel like the stakes were personal.
And if the stakes aren’t personal for Atwater, why center him in the promo?
📉 Character Development: Regression, Not Progress
One of the biggest letdowns? Atwater’s emotional regression.
We’ve seen him stand up for what’s right, even when it’s tough. We’ve seen him wrestle with impossible choices. But in this episode? He was passive, quiet, even disconnected.
That’s not growth. That’s lazy writing.
🎬 Direction & Pacing: A Rushed Mess
From a technical standpoint, this episode felt rushed. Scenes didn’t breathe. Transitions were abrupt. Emotional beats were skipped entirely.
There was no time to let Atwater’s internal conflict simmer—and that’s the heart of his character.
🧠 Missed Opportunities: Where It Could’ve Gone
Let’s talk “what if.”
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What if the episode dove deeper into Atwater’s trauma from past cases?
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What if he had to choose between protecting someone and following orders?
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What if he confronted a systemic issue head-on?
Instead, we got a safe, surface-level story that didn’t challenge the status quo.
💬 Dialogue: Bland and Forgettable
You know those Atwater speeches that give you chills? Not here.
The dialogue was clunky, predictable, and lacked the emotional punch we’ve come to expect. It felt like the writers forgot who Atwater is and how he speaks.
📺 Supporting Cast: Overshadowing the Lead
Strangely, this was one of those episodes where the supporting cast got more screen time and depth than the supposed lead. While the team dynamic is key to Chicago PD, when the episode promises Atwater at the center, he should be at the center.
📣 Fan Reaction: Twitter Was Not Happy
Let’s just say, Twitter exploded after the episode aired.
Fans were vocal:
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“Atwater deserves better.”
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“Why hype up an Atwater episode and then sideline him?”
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“This felt like filler.”
The consensus? Disappointment.
📆 Season 12 So Far: A Bumpy Ride
To be fair, Season 12 has had its highs. We’ve seen bold risks, emotional arcs, and character-driven storytelling. But Episode 13 felt like a filler that didn’t belong in an otherwise ambitious season.
It was a stumble—and a noticeable one.
🧩 The Bigger Problem: Representation Done Wrong
Atwater has long been a rare voice of reason and authenticity in the show’s depiction of police work. He represents the conflict so many Black officers face. When his episodes fall short, it’s not just a missed plot point—it’s a missed cultural moment.
This episode had a chance to say something meaningful—and chose silence instead.
🛠️ How To Fix It: What the Writers Can Learn
Here’s what needs to happen next:
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Give Atwater his voice back.
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Let him lead, struggle, and speak truth.
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Don’t center him just to push him aside.
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Write stories that match the weight he carries.
🔮 What’s Next for Atwater?
With only a few episodes left this season, fans are hoping for redemption. Can Chicago PD course-correct? Can they give Atwater the depth and respect he deserves?
Only time will tell—but we’ll be watching.
📣 Final Thoughts: A Letdown That Shouldn’t Be Repeated
To put it bluntly, Chicago PD Season 12, Episode 13 felt like a betrayal—not just to Atwater’s character, but to fans who’ve stood by him for years.
This episode could’ve been powerful. Instead, it was forgettable filler disguised as character development.
Let’s hope the writers are listening.
