Aside from the obvious tension, this drama works to tackle contemporary issues within the police force. Thus, certain episodes focus more on bringing audiences to tears rather than leaving them on the edge of their seats. As such, some fans argue that Chicago P.D. works best when it presents a wealth of sadder motifs.
Saying farewell to a fan-favorite character is never easy, and Chicago P.D. didn’t hesitate to pull out all the stops when it came to Alvin Olinsky. This esteemed detective was an essential part of the team, and fans enjoyed his tender relationship with his right-hand man, Voight. But, when he was stabbed by Andre Velasco, fans quickly felt a terrible sense of injustice and sadness.
Though his death was incredibly harsh, his funeral was even more devastating. In “New Normal,” the team gathers for Olinsky’s funeral, a very emotive and tragic event. But Voight watches from a distance after he attacks Velasco in a frenzy of revenge. Not only did fans feel immensely upset that they had to say goodbye to one of the show’s biggest staples, but they also had to watch Voight sink into the background.
“I Was Here” doesn’t skimp out on the drama and begins with the team sorting out a standard domestic dispute. Yet, this episode drags viewers down an intense rabbit hole and leads them to discover an elusive sex trafficking ring. However, these high levels of drama are quickly cut short when Burgess suffers a miscarriage after trying to save one of the victims.
Child loss is a very sensitive subject, and if it’s not handled correctly, some shows face experiencing a ton of backlash. But this episode handles Burgess’ miscarriage very well, and the audience can’t help but feel her pain. Thus, Burgess experiences a very complex dilemma as she has to face the fact that she saved a vulnerable victim but lost her unborn child.
Long-time fans of Chicago P.D. will be well aware that Trudy Platt doesn’t mess around. But the show also works to showcase the nuances of her personal life. So, when she’s not striving to keep her teammates in line, she’s building a strong relationship with her father, Robert. But, in “All Cylinders Flying,” Robert is shot dead in his home, and Trudy is forced to deal with such an immense loss.
Though Trudy Platt is by no means a sweet lady, watching her go through the stages of grief is terribly sad for the audience. At first, she blames the crime on her father’s gold-digging girlfriend, showcasing that she’s quick to pass the blame for this horrific situation on to someone else. Overall, this episode highlights the diversity of Chicago P.D. and how it can effectively alter fans’ perceptions of key characters.
Chicago P.D. focuses on the ups and downs of the justice system, but “In a Duffle Bag” suggests that it is a very fragile concept and sometimes the circumstances are just dire. In this episode, the team finds a newborn baby inside a duffle bag and is determined to find the child’s biological parents and punish them for this unforgivable act. In general, this episode is packed full of heartbreaking scenes and forces the audience to view this tiny baby in such horrid conditions.
