Seriously, with the closing moments of Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8, I genuinely need to know what Chief Reid’s deal is and what his newfound “friendship” with Voight is!

But first, we need to pour one out for Gloria Perez. What’s Chicago PD’s cardinal rule? Oh, right — CIs always die!

Something tells me the hour wasn’t intended to be as funny as it was, but there were so many moments that elicited a chuckle that it somehow managed to be a humorous hour despite the high drama and action.

When you have situations like Torres sitting in Voight’s office, like he was reporting to the Principal, or hearing an aggravated Voight tell poor Dante that he wasn’t his father right before giving a tongue lashing like he was, it’s hard not to chuckle.

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Or part of the amusement is related to live-tweeting with the lot of you Chicago PD Fanatics as we powered through this adrenaline-pumping hour together.

Nevertheless, it was a challenging hour for Torres, who felt immense guilt for so many things that he could barely function and focus on the case at times.

Humor and snarks aside, I sympathized with him, particularly because he frequently turned to God, praying his way through some of the most trying moments while routinely beating himself up over everything that happened.

Torres carried so much guilt.

The tense moments during the opener where he and Burgess frantically searched for Kiana were the starting point for Torres’ descension into guilt and anxiety-ridden, layered emotions.

It was tearing him up inside that harm could’ve possibly come to Kiana because of him. Pinging for her phone resulted in it being stationary, and the duo feared the worst.

But Kiana was fine, thankfully, pissed as hell, but okay.

Kiana is such a mood, and she truly is endearing and a great addition to the series. She didn’t hold back when it came to letting Torres know how she felt about him, keeping some vital information from him.

In the end, you could tell that it wasn’t so much that he slept with Gloria, but that he didn’t forewarn her about it when he put her in the deep end, and as a result, her life was on the line in a situation she couldn’t figure out.

It was refreshing to see her angry and unwilling to brush it off because there had been a breach of trust, and she had reason to be upset. The ripple effects of that spread throughout the entire team.

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It was easy to understand Kiana’s position as someone directly impacted, especially given the special bond she and Torres formed during Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 5.

However, some of the other unit members’ reactions were more amusing simply because we were rehashing a storyline involving a unit member sleeping with a CI for the third or fourth time by now.

Hell, it’s practically a Rites of Passage at this point.

Ruzek, in particular, was letting that protective streak of his come out full force, as he was pissed off that Burgess was involved in a situation that could cost her her job. She just made detective, after all.

I love Ruzek to pieces, but it’s freaking Ruzek. For one, Burgess makes her own decisions, and you can never make her do otherwise, so it wasn’t even fair to blame Torres for Kim covering for him.

Kim would and has covered for all of them, and Ruzek, bless his heart, has had more than a few dicey moments and flubs over the past decade. Protecive spouse thing aside, my guy Ruzek trying to hold any semblance of moral superiority in a situation like this is rich.

Sleeping with a confidential informant is the one thing he hasn’t done.

Atwater’s anger felt more muted, and we missed him expressing some disappointment, especially since he’s been Torres’ primary mentor since Halstead left, but we got the Fabulous Foursome of Ruzwater and KiKi working together, so I’ll allow it.

And Voight talking about how much Torres had screwed them and jeopardized all of their jobs was knee-slap, deep-belly laugh types of funny because it’s freaking Hank Voight. This is child’s play in the long list of things he’s had to cover up for his unit.

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Browbeating an already guilt-ridden Torres when we’ve grown desensitized to how much each unit member has done and can get away with was a choice.

The tensions were high, giving off the vibe that the puppy had peed on the carpet. However, Voight is always more focused on making things right and ultimately nail their case.

He kept emphasizing that he didn’t have time or any need for Torres’ guilt over this situation; he needed him to get to work so they could find a way to take down this entire drug operation.

It was a great hour for showcasing how important Torres’ faith is to him and that it’s something that he lives and acts out, not just this ritual that he occasionally partakes in on and offscreen.

All of those little moments of Torres praying, whether in the field when things got dicey or in the locker room when he was trying to ground himself, Torres’ faith is so instrumental to who he is.

It’s refreshing to see because there is very little consistent depiction of religious characters on television, whether it’s Christianity or anything else.

But Torres’ relationship with Gloria was just toxic and not always fun to watch, and this time around, it was enough to have you pulling your hair out.

After everything blew up like that, it was irritating that Torres still rushed over to her house to confront her. It was the going off-the-books type of stuff that got him in trouble in the first place.

Torres also spent a significant amount of time trying to save Gloria’s life as her adversary was coming after her while simultaneously convincing her that she should work with the police so she could get the best deal.

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It’s absurd that Torres had to beg and plead for the chance to save her and give her some type of lifeline. And it was challenging to understand where Gloria was coming from here because even if she couldn’t trust Torres with her heart or whatever else, it beat the alternative of dying at the hands of an enemy.

The two of them having full-on lover’s quarrels while bullets were flying around was a special kind of absurd, but some of you may be delighted to know that the action, full team presence, performances, and so forth were far more entertaining than Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 7, at least.

Plus, we have official confirmation that Gloria won’t be returning or a nuisance anymore, given that she died protecting Torres. After all of the bickering, back and forth, trust games, and so forth, at the end of the day, Gloria genuinely loved Torres and sacrificed herself for him.

Her dying words were to remind him that they were in fact the same, a stark contrast from what she was saying earlier in her attempts to push him away.

The thing is, Gloria was right in that she repeatedly told Torres who she was and what she would be doing, but he was so enamored with the “broken” parts of her that he felt needed saving that he ignored everything else.

He was the only one delusional when it came to Gloria, which was probably why it was so frustrating to see him get so involved and jeopardize everything for her as he did.

Gloria’s death wasn’t as devastating as losing Anna because, unfortunately, she became such an annoying character that death seemed to be the only way to tie things up with her.

But it was still devastating to see Torres’ reaction to it, his crying as he clung to her and begged her to stay alive, even when it was evident that a GSW with no exit wound (and a bullet likely ricocheting through her) would prove fatal.

Torres begging God and apologizing as if, in doing so, God would change his mind and bring her back was a tough scene, and it was one of many that Benjamin Levy Aquilar absolutely slayed.

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It was an extensive hour for him, probably his heaviest episode to date, and he had the chops to really carry this hour. But those final moments with Gloria were particularly hard to watch because of how badly you felt for Torres.

Even Ruzek couldn’t help but offer a hand to the shoulder in solidarity, which was a nice gesture given how pissed he was earlier and also his own experience of recently losing someone.

Gloria didn’t have many options. She clearly saw that the deal was a setup, and chances are, she’d end up in prison or dead anyway.

Hector had already thrown her under the bus, and Campos was ready to take her out. Dying for Torres felt like a last stand for a complicated character.

The team had to race to pull this entire case off well after the mishap with Torres. It seemed like they were getting away with covering things up, but somehow, Reid kept popping up and around them at the most inopportune times, setting us up for those final moments.

Somehow, Reid knows about everything that happened—Torres’ relationship with a CI, Burgess covering for him, all of it. But inquiring minds want to know how he came across this information.

It’s one thing for him to learn that Torres slept with his CI, but how did he know that Burgess covered for him or that the entire unit knew and was actively covering it up?

We’ve been trying to figure out Reid’s deal, why he’s been hanging around, and what purpose he’s serving. Chicago PD has never had an authoritarian character come in who hasn’t had an agenda or caused trouble.

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Turning them in is of no interest to Reid. He wanted to leverage this information just to become Voight’s “friend.” But why? What does that mean, and what does he think he’ll gain?

Is this one of those things where Voight’s reputation precedes him, and Reid wants Voight on standby for dirty work? Does he want Voight to be some kind of snitch?

What does Reid hope to gain by having Voight under his thumb? It’s more nerve-wracking when you can’t determine what someone wants from you.

We’re no closer to understanding what makes this man tick and what he wants, and that certainly serves as a solid cliffhanger.

Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics.

What do you think Reid has in store for Voight?

Do you think the team was too hard on Torres?

Did Gloria’s death upset you? Sound off below!

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The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 8 Review: Torres’ Guilt & Reid’s Mysterious Agenda Result in Tense Midseason Finale! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Tell Voight the truth so he can lie for you.

It’s as simple as that, yet here we are 12 years later, and we see during Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 7 that it still isn’t clicking for the characters.

In Dante’s defense, he’s relatively new to the equation, and while he adjusts remarkably well, he still keeps things close to the vest.

It’s too bad he didn’t keep things in his pants, or we wouldn’t be in this situation where we’re wondering about Kiana’s fate, now would we?

“Contrition” was an aptly titled hour as Torres spent the entirety deeply remorseful about something or another.

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We started with his guilt over sleeping with Gloria, which jeopardized not just his job but Kim’s in the process.

And now we’ve ended it with him deeply fearful and remorseful about how his actions may have jeopardized newly minted Intelligence member Kiana.

It’s not looking good for our boy!

After starting strong this season, this installment doesn’t keep up the quality of previous episodes in Chicago PD Season 12.

But it will set us up for a Fall Finale that will likely have us on our edge.

The problem is that I was never a fan of the Gloria storyline in the first place.

Torres isn’t without his flaws, like every character in this series, but it was irksome that he engaged in a sexual relationship with a confidential informant.

Worse yet, even as a trauma survivor, it was always abundantly clear that Gloria was a force to be reckoned with and someone too endeared to the lifestyle that drug dealing could provide to give up on it altogether.

Gloria always wanted to become a queen pin, and her husband’s death was fortuitous, allowing her to do so.

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And that’s why it never rang true that Torres would discard all reason and his gut instincts to buy whatever narrative he told himself about Gloria leaving town and starting over as a normal person.

If I’m not mistaken, didn’t she even say during Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 9 that she wasn’t capable of such a thing?

She never hid that the allure of that lifestyle still called to her even as she bid Dante farewell.

The second Zibata’s name came into the picture, and there was that Gloria connection; it was apparent that she was likely the person running things.

It didn’t matter how much denial Dante was in.

We should’ve known that the series would attempt to revisit this storyline based on how they left things, but frankly, I’d rather they didn’t.

It wasn’t the most interesting arc in the first place, and now it’s a colossal mess that requires too many things to even work as a feasible storyline in the first place.

For one, it hinges on Dante and Kim keeping this secret from everyone when we know nothing good comes from the unit keeping things like this under wraps.

We’ve seen how the unit can erode because of secrecy.

We also know that Voight’s biggest issue isn’t that his team makes stupid mistakes or even breaks the law; they don’t tell him about it so that he can work his magic or properly prepare for how to handle it.

Kim kept things under wraps when she first found out, and Gloria disappeared, which was fair enough.

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But it makes zero sense that Kim would double down on keeping things a secret once it emerged in the case, and the whole unit is now devoted to taking Gloria down.

It’s not even a matter of selling Dante out here, but simply presenting the rest of the team with the full story so that everyone could figure out how best to approach this case.

The case could fall apart because the team is in the dark.

It was great to see Kim in detective mode again.

She’s really great at handling certain things and people, and the particular fondness and care she extends to Dante and Kiana is where she’s at her strongest as a leader.

She’s emerging as a mentor to them both, protective of her charges, if you will, and almost this maternal energy emanates from her regarding both.

The moment she literally gave Dante an expression she probably reserved for Mack was hilarious and endearing.

But it sucks that the hour saddles Kim with this situation because in order even to make it work, it forces the viewer to call into question the obvious: why withhold this information from Voight?

And that’s where this arc relies too heavily on contrivances.

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The same goes for Dante, who is so naive about Gloria and thinks there’s a way through this where she doesn’t expose him.

It was also incredibly dicey that he popped up at Gloria’s place out of the blue, “randomly” tracking her down for old-time’s sake, and she bought into that for a while.

She’s a criminal who has been in the game for far too long not to think something was up.

Dante’s visit while they were investigating the case felt like it would’ve tipped her off immediately, and thus, Kiana’s sudden appearance at the restaurant would automatically read as suspicious.

It’s like Torres endangered Kiana with that move alone, long before that cliffhanger ending.

Kiana going undercover was great because we got to see her doing something new.

And she was mostly great at it, and seeing her in this element was good.

The hour spent a shocking amount of time simply building up her cover and fixating on how she built trust with Gloria.

It mirrored how Dante did the same when he worked at the garage and poured himself into the operation, with the montage expressing the timely process.

So many of Kiana’s moments mirror or connect to Dante, which is interesting.

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But if it wasn’t already suspicious that Dante popped up out of the blue, Kiana’s appearance and the badass way she disarmed that gunman should’ve raised red flags.

Instead, they allowed an illogical slip-up on Kiana’s part—despite how careful and intuitive she’s been thus far—to be the tipping point in Gloria’s realization.

Kiana reciting Gloria’s pattern verbatim as Dante told her was one of the dumbest moments we’ve seen in a while because it was so forced.

Even though Kiana never went undercover, there’s no reason to treat her as if she’s completely green, either.

Despite the tense moments during that and how they led to Gloria’s distrust, Dante and Kim were more concerned about cutting off the feed before Gloria could reveal it was Dante she slept with rather than how dicey the situation may have been in the car.

Sure, Dante jumped out and ran to the location, wracked with guilt and hoping to get to Kiana in time, but losing ears caused more damage.

They couldn’t hear what else Gloria was saying, whether she bought what Kiana was saying or where she could’ve been taking them.

Knowing how cautious the unit has been over the season after Martel’s death, this situation is their worst fear for many reasons.

Kiana is off with Gloria; they have no idea where, and it’s still uncertain if she blew her cover.

Fortunately, despite that stupid mishap, Kiana Cook is resourceful and quick on her feet; she’ll likely be all right and pull this off.

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But in the meantime, the unit will deal with this fallout and how it jeopardizes the case and one of its own.

Dante’s despair was palpable, and I appreciated the touch of him praying while running to the spot.

I also appreciated some of the lighter fare of this installment.

Red is Kim’s color, and she should wear it more. I loved that jacket.

I also loved how she and Ruzek seized the opportunity to have an impromptu date night in the middle of the stakeout by going inside to have tacos while scoping things out.

Those tacos must have been legendary, given Ruzek’s reaction and the fact that he probably hated having to leave them there while ducking out before Gloria saw them.

Burzek likely earned overtime while turning their stakeout into a date? Goals.

It was also great to have Ruzwater back in action and working together.

They’re OG’s as a partnership and a personal favorite, and we haven’t had them together in a minute.

Of course, Atwater was still criminally underused again, which is starting to become an alarming pattern.

At this point, it’s clear we won’t be getting another Atwater-centric for a while, and he’s been disappearing into the background and playing a supportive role in the interim.

Nevertheless, having the whole team in the episode was still good.

Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics.

How did you feel about that cliffhanger?

Are you a fan of the Gloria arc?

This this episode miss the mark? Let’s hear it below.

Watch Chicago PD Online

The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 7 Review: Contrition appeared first on TV Fanatic.

If you ever wondered if we’d revisit Gloria Perez and the complex relationship between her and Torres, well, we have our answer as Torres takes center stage during Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 7.

After Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 6, it’s apparent that Gloria hasn’t gone very far and that she may be running the drug game in the streets.

It’s bold of Gloria to be still in Chicago and taking up where her late husband, who she killed, left off.

It’s especially bold of her to do this, knowing that she served as a CPD informant and had a torrid affair with Torres.

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But that also means she has some power and leverage, and she’ll likely want to use it as she sees fit.

You have to hand it to Gloria; she’s one hell of a schemer.

She got to take out her abusive husband, bang a hot younger cop whom she can blackmail, and run a criminal empire.

Mark me down as impressed and concerned.

Frankly, I would’ve preferred if we left Gloria’s storyline in Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 9 and not revisited it, at least not this soon.

It wasn’t the most compelling arc for Torres, and we didn’t learn much new about his character through it.

If anything, the redundancy of it all was grating, and his poor decisions regarding Gloria colored one’s perspective of him.

But alas, no one is perfect, and he’ll remain a forever fave.

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Assuming, of course, he can get through this scandal in the making and keep his job intact.

As expected with anyone in the Intelligence Unit, Torres’s behavior could result in him losing his job and going to prison.

Because Burgess knew about his relationship with his confidential informant and pieced some things together, she could as well.

Burgess just got her shiny new detective’s badge, and she’s already facing a career-ending challenge.

Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 7 is titled “Contrition,” at least one of the images shows Torres speaking to a priest in church about what’s bothered him.

He’s remorseful about his actions, and penance is about truthtelling and confessions.

But can Torres really ‘fess up to his relationship with Gloria?

It’s one thing if she threatens him and he risks losing his job and going to jail, but we know damn well Torres will not want anything to happen to Burgess in the interim.

He’s not the sort who would want someone he cares about to take the fall or pay for his mistakes.

Torres and Burgess are in a tough position.

Whatever their latest case is, Intelligence has pieced together that she’s behind the drug game in the city.

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Voight wants her head, as he’s adamant about the unit learning everything there is to learn about Gloria and acting accordingly.

But Torres is worried that if they pursue her head-on, she has the power to ruin him, his career, and Intelligence in the process.

It’s a sticky situation, not unlike others we’ve seen before, and this is Torres’ first time trying to navigate something like this.

The truth is that he needs to talk to Voight about it.

We know how Voight is when it comes to looking out for his people and ensuring that they’re protected in any way he can.

His signature motto is, “Tell me the truth so that I can lie for you,” and he stands on that.

Torres confiding in Burgess is one thing, as they’re both in this together.

Still, at some point in the hour, we can hopefully see Torres coming clean to Voight, taking whatever verbal lashing he must, and then figuring out how they’ll get out of this situation.

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It would be surprising if Torres made it through the whole episode without confessing to Voight, and I don’t see a way around that.

Another interesting wrinkle is that it marks Cook’s first undercover job under Intelligence.

Based on the brief glimpse of Gloria in the promo, she’s sitting in the car with Kiana.

Cook is incredibly perceptive, and it probably won’t take long before she figures something out and pieces things together.

Hopefully, someone will give her some type of heads-up, but even if that’s not the case, what are the odds that Cook won’t figure out that there’s something else going on with Gloria?

We’ve seen how great her instincts are, and we also have seen the partnership that blossomed between her and Torres.

It’ll be interesting to see if she learns the truth and how it influences her views of him or her work on the case.

Cook seems like she’d do incredibly well undercover, but we haven’t seen her in that type of role yet.

So, it’s exciting that following up on the previous Torres-centric episode she shared with Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4, we’ll be getting more of her in this one.

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Inquiring minds would love to know if she and Torres will always have interconnected centrics this season.

And given that Torres has had almost back-to-back centrics, it’s officially become a task figuring out how they choose who to feature in each episode.

There’s no discernible pattern in how they’re playing out.

I imagine we’re due for another Ruzek and Atwater one, but it’s hard to say if that’ll happen.

And what are the odds we’d get something heavily Trudy-focused?

Gloria’s return could set up a longer-arching plot for the season if she’s the “big bad” who has an entire operation Intelligence must take down.

While I can’t say I was a big Gloria fan, it’ll be interesting to see if that’s the case.

Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics.

Are you excited about the return of Gloria?

Do you think Cook will do well undercover? Sound off below!

Watch Chicago PD Online

The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 7 Spoilers: From C.I. to Cartel Queen, Torres’ Cougar Returns! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It feels damn good to see a woman in some authority somewhere, and she most certainly earned it.

Of course, nothing ever comes easy, and Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 6 posed a few challenges for Burgess on her path toward a promotion.

Inquiring minds desperately want to know what the hell is the deal with Shawn Hatosy‘s Reid.

It seemed like he took a special interest in Burgess, whether because of who she was and how good she was or because she was part of Voight’s unit, and he was interested in him.

Whatever the case, he had eyes on her for quite some time, and he was all over the case that Burgess and Suarez were working together.

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His looming presence was a bit intimidating, particularly for Suarez, who couldn’t help but read further into it, assuming that her job would be on the line if they didn’t wrap the case up properly.

Understandably, this caused Suarez to panic and perhaps go too far, making some tough calls to close this case that feels like a precursor to something bigger.

But again, one has to wonder why Reid requested Suarez, the woman who also conducted Burgess’ interview, to be the sitting detective with her while on a ride-along.

There has to be more to that setup, and it’s hard to determine whether it involved Suarez, too.

Did he want to rattle her?

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Is she someone on his radar since she mentioned that he’s been firing people?

Burgess is great. She aced the exam and did well during her interview, so there were no doubts that she could handle herself on the case scene.

Burgess didn’t need any help; she rocked all the way through, even when she flubbed up with that car or wanted to hold back regarding using the baby as leverage; it was either something relatively minor or just a different approach.

Obviously, there has to be room for different approaches, and it was frustrating that Suarez wanted to speak as if she had cornered the proper way to be a detective and that Burgess had to emulate that somehow.

You could sense that part of that was being women in the field; the job is different for them, and Suarez is of the school of thought that they have to be tougher, not make any mistakes, and get the job done while putting up with a hell of a lot.

Unsurprisingly, Suarez would walk away and say that Burgess is “too nice” and needs to harden up or that somehow, Burgess’s having a unit that backs and supports her is a problem.

There’s merit in what Suarez says, but only to an extent.

Sure, it would probably serve Burgess well if she got to experience the job in another format away from the comforts of what she’s known, but why would it be necessary?

Burgess was a patrol cop who saw a lot of damn action and has been through hell and back.

She’s a tough woman, so she’s part of a unit that feels more like a genuine family and none of that “band of brothers” bullshit that only extends to a certain point as long as everyone falls in line or thinks a certain way.

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Suarez probably thought she was giving Burgess sound advice, but she also seemed to be resentful that Burgess got to experience something differently.

It reminds you of the people who almost get upset because those who come after them don’t have it as hard when the question should be, “Why would you want others subjected to the hardships you face?”

Wouldn’t you want better for them? Otherwise, what were you trying to combat and fight for in the first place?

After a prolonged absence from the season, it was a solid hour focused exclusively on Burgess.

The others were merely background noise; interestingly, we didn’t have much of the team there until nearly halfway through the hour.

Voight was chill and happy to help Burgess however necessary, and you could feel his pride.

Even towards the end, which was great because Burgess had to wonder if Voight did her a favor by getting her back onto Intelligence since Suarez got in her head by undermining her merit.

Burgess earned detective and her spot on Intelligence, but there’s a part of this that still feels tainted. Despite the reassurances, it’s evident that the politics of it all may have still gotten in the way in some regard.

The case was odd in that we had this operation with car parts and a lot of murder.

It’s a clear organization happening, with a nice tie-in to Gloria by the end of the hour, which will be quite the experience.

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Burgess had some flubs, like the car incident, but she was quite the force who mostly took to calling the shots very well.

And in true Kim Burgess fashion, she was running her ass off during most of the case and also had to take one hell of a beating, too.

The latter was infuriating, as there is no way on earth that she and Suarez should’ve split. She could’ve gotten killed.

Nevertheless, I genuinely enjoyed seeing all the support that she got from some of the others.

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The Burzek family moment that started the installment was absolutely precious, and it was so cute to see Mak supporting her mom and encouraging Burgess.

The locker room scene with Burgess and Ruzek was great because he could not imagine her leaving him and going somewhere else, even if it was for a short while.

Finally, we got some Burzek content, which was nice because it’s been lacking this season, and we have to get those glimpses leading up to the wedding.

Other Thoughts:

• Torres was rolling those “R’s,” and his accent was so pronounced during this episode. I loved every second of it.
• He also was back to that white tee.
• Gloria coming back after Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 9 to haunt Torres (and us) wasn’t on my Bingo Card, and I’m wary.
• Atwater’s absence was noticed and felt. Outside of Adam, Kevin is the only bigger Kim cheerleader. But at least we saw him on Chicago Med.

• Kiana rocking flannel, which is like Intelligence’s unofficial uniform? You love to see it!
• There was a brief moment when I thought Reid looked like Roman, it threw me for a loop!
• I absolutely love how much the series is leaning into utilizing Spanish more. Burgess gets to whip out the Spanish in almost all her episodes now.

Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics.

Are you happy that Burgess finally made detective?

What do you think is up with Reid and his over-involvement and interest in her promotion?

How do you feel about Gloria’s return? Sound off below!

Watch Chicago PD Online

The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 6 Review: Did Kim’s Promotion Come with Strings? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

After a decade of simmering tensions that some have described as a “cold civil war,” we now face what promises to be an ultra-dramatic conclusion to a historically bonkers election season.

How did we get to this point? Can we ever rebuild what we’ve lost? And if so, how do we keep it from falling apart again?

These are profound and important questions — and we’re not even gonna attempt to answer them here.

What we will do, however, is explore a familiar patch of common ground in an effort to remind our fellow Americans of what still unites us.

We’re talking, of course, about the wonderful world of television.

Yes, TV — the most American of all mediums.

Obviously, it exists in every country on the planet, and most nations have their own shows and networks and television personalities, many of which are (ostensibly, at least) entirely devoid of any influence from the US.

And the invention of television was such a gradual, collaborative process that no country can claim sole credit.

But it’s worth noting that numerous Americans were instrumental to the process and received patents for innovations without which the final product never could have come to pass.

It was an American who first used a vacuum tube to transmit images and the world’s very first TV station broadcast out of Schenectady, New York in 1928.

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But the technical side is only tangentially related to what we want to talk about today.

The idea of television — the electronic hearth around which the family gathers in the hours between dinner and bedtime to enjoy highly polished entertainment designed to satisfy both parents and kids — that’s an invention of the post-war American empire.

From Howdy Doody and Ed Sullivan in the late ’40s to Lucy, The Twilight Zone, and Wally and the Beev in the ’50s, the world’s newest superpower was quick to plant its flag in the exciting new landscape of TV.

As the trailblazers of TV’s first golden age passed the torch to Dick Van Dyke and Andy Griffith in the ’60s, Americans gathered around the tube for more than just laughs and scripted thrills.

In 1960, the very first US presidential debate was broadcast to tens of millions of Americans.

Three years later, that same audience turned to their sets in horror when the young senator from Massachusetts who charmed so many in his television debut was gunned down in Dallas.

Again, our goal here is not to diminish the contributions of other nations.

Instead, we’re trying to make the point that TV is as much a part of the so-called American century as fast food, baseball, jazz, or any other cultural contribution that makes the whole world think of Uncle Sam.

And if, as Americans, we can use these as reminders of our shared heritage, then maybe we can start to take baby steps along the road to healing.

If the rest of the world can recognize (however begrudgingly) the many ways in which America is still great, then why can’t we?

After all, The Simpsons wasn’t just a ratings juggernaut in the States. In fact, if you join any of the many Bart-centric discussion groups on Facebook, you’ll likely find it overrun with Brits and Aussies.

And if you take a trip to Paris and turn on la télévision in your downtime, you might make the amusing discovery that the French are big fans of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — so much so that dubbed reruns still air around the clock.

As TV’s first century gave way to its second, the medium experienced many ups and downs.

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The 2000s got off to a strong start with The Sopranos, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad offering uniquely American takes on the trope of the troubled antihero (and building massive global audiences in the process).

But as streaming and social media continued their slow takeover of the small screen universe, it became more difficult for new shows to gain footholds — at home or abroad.

As we’ve previously discussed, our fissiparous political climate is reflected — and perhaps, in part, created — by the splintering of our entertainment preferences.

We don’t think it’s much of a stretch to say a nation that doesn’t watch the same TV shows is marginally less likely to hold the same values.

The same could be said of movies, of course, but no medium is a part of our daily lives quite like TV.

And just as the device receives signals and beams the resultant images into our eyeballs, so too do our belief systems both transmit and receive.

In other words, we’re shaped by television, but we, as a people, also configure the medium to suit our preferences.

The TV of the 1950s helped to form our national identity, but it was also a reflection of the values that already existed at the time.

In a way, our pop culture might be a better indication of our prevailing beliefs than our politics. And it’s certainly more unifying.

A Trump voter and a Harris voter might not agree on much in terms of policy. But there’s a strong possibility that they’re both looking forward to the return of Yellowstone.

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So maybe TV can provide a lens through which we can focus on our similarities, as opposed to the differences that are amplified by social media on a daily basis.

The fact is, at some point in the (hopefully very) near future, we’ll have a new president-elect.

And as a result of that development, certain things will change. Perhaps rather abruptly.

It’s an intimidating thought.

But maybe, in these uncertain times, we can take some solace in the knowledge that no matter what happens on Tuesday, NBC’s full slate of One Chicago shows will air on Wednesday.

And Americans from both coasts and both sides of the political spectrum are certain to tune in.

It may not be much, but at least it reminds us that we’re not as different as we think, and that when we work together, we can create wonderful things … or at least pleasantly diverting ones.

The post One Thing Both Parties Can Agree On: TV Is a Uniquely American Medium appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Whether we love it or loathe it, cast turnover has become such a staple of Dick Wolf series that we’ve had to accept it.

The One Chicago franchise certainly hasn’t been exempt from this.

Torres’ Addition was a Reinvigorating Stepping Stone

While Chicago PD hasn’t had quite the same heavy rotation as consistently and often as some other shows, we’ve certainly faced some devastating losses and appealing gains over the years.

It’s inevitable for a series that has been running for over a decade, and we’ve been fortunate to keep such a core group of characters for as long as we have.

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But that also doesn’t mean there isn’t room for what’s new, as adding new characters to the series can revitalize the show and the unit.

We saw that for the first time in many years with the addition of Dante Torres.

Benjamin Levy Aguilar’s addition to the series added this much-needed spark for a plethora of reasons.

Torres’ fascinating background as someone who knew what it was like to be on the other side of the law provided a compelling avenue to explore via a character.

And while he’s not the only Latine character Intelligence has ever had, via Torres, it still feels like the first time they allowed a Latino character to be so unapologetically Latino, incorporating his heritage and language into the series and showcasing how much it shapes his identity. 

Torres’ unique perspective also led to more compelling dynamics within the team, namely with Kevin Atwater.

OceanWater bonded through the unique plight they faced as men of color from particular neighborhoods serving in law enforcement and straddling two worlds as a result.

With Torres, it felt as if the series was ushering in a new era, but with Kiana Cook, it’s confirmation that they have.

Unsurprisingly, her addition is one of many facets that have contributed to an already strong Chicago PD Season 12.

Kiana Cook is a Refreshing Change from the Norm

Kiana is unlike any other character we’ve met thus far, and as a result, she’s a genuinely refreshing change of pace.

For better or worse, Chicago PD sometimes had issues introducing characters who often felt too similar to those they had in the past.

There were moments when it felt like a copy-and-paste situation as some traits, background issues, dynamics, or more were practically transferred to another character.

But Kiana isn’t like any character we’ve seen or met in the series so far because she offers something unique to Intelligence.

We can already see that she’s her own character despite only just getting to know her.

Cook is a Badass; And It Doesn’t Feel Farfetched or Forced

She’s action-oriented, which you would assume would lead to a level of intensity in her personality, but instead, she’s calm and refreshingly grounded.

Thus far, we’ve seen that there’s not a physical demand for this job that Kiana doesn’t seem to hurl herself into, but it’s not in a flashy way that makes her come across like some superhero.

She’s a badass character without being overly so.

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Because the series and the actress are playing it more matter-of-fact, many of her action sequences feel more authentic than they sometimes can be in other instances.

Much of Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 2 was this adrenaline-pumping and suspenseful hour that immediately placed Kiana into the fray and in harm’s way.

From shootouts to high-speed chases, foot chases, and even taking a hit from a car, Kiana threw herself into all the job’s physical demands and powered through some of everything.

And Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 5 had her battling the elements, nearly drowning, and successfully taking down a suspect, but it all felt within her capabilities and was a different take from some of the usual action sequences on the series.

Cook’s Tactical Experience Makes Her a Supremely Qualified Addition to the Unit

It’s so easy for viewers to fixate on the fact that Kiana has switched to Intelligence from Patrol.

But she’s not simply a beat cop whose primary experience was working the streets, though there is nothing wrong with that.

Before Blue Wall politics got in the way, she was part of the elite Tact unit, which supports why she’s such a badass character who doesn’t sniff at running headfirst into hands-on, physical aspects of the job.

She’s not afraid of danger, and it makes her an exceptionally well-suited person to join the highly dangerous and in-demand aspects of Intelligence.

Kiana is in no way “green,” which makes her shift into Intelligence entirely different than what we’ve seen in previous years with Torres and Ruzek.

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Her previous experience on an elite unit was different from what we saw as Atwater and Burgess ascended to Intelligence after working Patrol.

Her qualifications for this job aren’t up for debate, and the prospect of what she’ll get into now that she’s on the unit is exciting, given we know that she’s up for anything and fearless.

Kiana’s Easygoing Demeanor and Confidence Without Arrogance is Endearing

Kiana also comes across as incredibly grounded, down-to-earth, and easygoing.

Despite her experience with an unjust demotion, she doesn’t enter into the picture with a chip on her shoulder and a damn near reckless desire to prove herself.

The series strays away from some typical tropes regarding her, which is genuinely refreshing.

She’s a character who is confident in her abilities enough to trust her gut and advocate for herself when necessary, but she isn’t arrogant or feels like she’s above the fray.

One of the things that stood out most when she caught Intelligence the case with the trio of girls was that she didn’t feel entitled to any part of solving it.

She was willing to step back into her role as a patrol officer and stay within the realm of the expected job, and she would’ve stuck by that.

Kiana is assertive but not aggressive, a blessedly great distinction the series handles well, especially with the introduction of a Black female character, where too many shows lean into some dicey stereotypes.

We get the sense that she has no problem following authority, but she will fight back against what she perceives as wrong.

There’s a careful balance when showcasing that, and Chicago PD is already doing well with her depiction.

This makes her an excellent fit for the Intelligence unit because she won’t have an issue with following Voight’s lead or that of others on the squad, but she isn’t afraid to challenge things where she deems fit or speak her mind.

Kiana Adds to the Cohesiveness of the Unit

Kiana’s easy chemistry with everyone adds to the cohesiveness of the team.

It’s not easy to step into an already established unit and make a place for yourself, especially when it means following in the footsteps of a heavily favored character who was there for an extensive period.

But Kiana blends into this unit effortlessly, and that’s something that rarely happens.

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One of the series’ biggest criticisms for the past few years is how divided the unit has often felt.

While the early seasons saw cohesion, some light humor, and a great deal of mixing and matching in dynamics and character exploration, the more recent seasons have lost much of that.

For the past few years, there has been this hardline between some of the characters to the point of genuine frustration regarding the plot.

We often had Voight, Halstead, and Upton on one side, with many of their storylines intertwining and mixing, often excluding the other characters.

It felt as if they could only orbit around each other, severely impacting some of the dynamics that formed over the years or hampering the exploration of new ones.

Sometimes, it felt like they were on a totally different show.

Kiana Cook Bridges the Gap Between Some Characters

Meanwhile, Burgess, Ruzek, and Atwater often interacted most with each other whenever the series focused on them, and there was very little interaction or dynamic exploration across those two factions.

While Chicago PD Season 12 has already done well merging the team again and making them feel like a more cohesive unit, Kiana seems critical to that as well.

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She’s a character that has a fast and easy camaraderie with all the other characters, and it’s off to a promising start that she’s already having such strong interactions with so many other Intelligence members.

It’s possible that she can serve as a bridge between characters who weren’t interacting with each other quite as much before, which could lead to some great team dynamics.

We’ve only had her for two episodes, and she’s already proven to partner well with anyone.

Thus far, there isn’t a dynamic with Kiana that isn’t already compelling or potentially so when it’s explored.

Cook Has Proven that She Can Pair Well with Any Character

The Ruzek/Cook dynamic in “Blood Bleeds Blue” started strong.

Because of the bond they forged under fire and having to have one another’s backs as they solved Martel’s murder, it perfectly highlighted the rapport that transcends words that law enforcement officers and soldiers speak about.

They went through hell and back together in a dark time and entrusted one another with their lives, and it forged an unbreakable bond instantly, yes, while still being realistic and fascinating to watch.

It’s one that doesn’t go away, and it likely led Kiana to find her way to Intelligence in the first place.

After what she and Ruzek went through together, there isn’t anything they probably can’t ask of one another, which is why she sought him out for help in the first place.

That type of dynamic, similar yet distinctly different, also happened with “Water and Honey” between her and Torres.

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The potential for more compelling angles with Kiana with Voight, Atwater, and Burgess is on the horizon.

Voight seemed instantly taken by this young woman who trusted her gut and asserted herself, something he noticed and appreciated.

Chicago PD May Finally Rectify Female Dynamic Issue with “KiKi” (Kim & Kiana) Sisterhood

Meanwhile, Atwater never shies away from taking on a mentor role and looking out for his comrades.

Given the respective issues they likely faced to get there, there’s an inescapable angle to exploring actually having two Black officers on the same unit.

And then, of course, there’s Kim.

The series has always had badass female characters, but strong female friendships and dynamics have often been lacking.

Unfortunately, Trudy is underused, so we experience her particular dynamic with Burgess less.

The last time we had a strong female dynamic within the unit was Erin and Nadia, unless you count the blink-and-miss arc with Hailey and Rojas.

Unfortunately, most of Hailey’s storylines always revolved around the male characters, whether Voight and Halstead or briefly with Ruzek.

And Burgess didn’t fare much better, as the series rarely explored a dynamic between her and Hailey.

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Kiana’s presence may rectify that, and we already saw a glimpse of what could be with Kim’s warm, welcoming interactions with her and the promises of more to come.

Chicago PD may finally deliver on a strong female dynamic, partnership, or friendship between the two women on Intelligence.

Kiana Cook & Dante Torres Are a New Dynamic Duo that Serves Both Characters Well

In addition to the rest of the unit, Kiana’s’ presence is particularly significant for Torres.

This harkens back to the issues with the unit often feeling divided.

The “new character” Torres would bounce around a bit, but he sometimes still felt isolated from the others or like he was on an island all by himself.

Thankfully, this season, it’s evident that the unit feels much closer and stronger together.

But with Kiana around, it’s promising that Torres may actually have his own “person.”

The burgeoning dynamic between Torres and Cook was at the center of Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 5, making the hour one of the strongest of the season thus far.

They have fantastic chemistry, and through the pairing, we not only learned more about Kiana, but she also pulled out another side of Torres.

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He’s historically a more guarded character.

Even though he’s settled into the unit and no longer feels like the new guy, he keeps many aspects of himself close to the vest.

But through his instant dynamic with Kiana, we gain more insight into Torres as he becomes more forthcoming and vulnerable and allows her to be the same in the process.

Dante and Kiana are a pairing that works.

The latest installment was a great preview for them and what could come, and there’s a promising element to the two representatives of a new era of Chicago PD.

Kiana Cook Expands Chicago PD’s Diverse Scope While Subverting Problematic Tropes

And that era includes a broader perspective, seasons in the making.

Kiana Cook, as Chicago PD’s first Black female Intelligence officer, is nothing to sniff at, and it’s incredibly gratifying to have that specific representation in this series.

To borrow a bit from Chicago PD’s own LaRoyce Hawkins, it’s an energy and perspective the series has needed for a while.

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Not only do we have a woman of color on the series as a regular now, but they’re actually taking the time to flesh her out and develop the character without her getting sidelined (something that tragically happened often with Rojas’ short-lived presence on the series).

There’s an intersectional component that the series can explore subtly, as Kiana’s experience as both a Black officer and a female officer is wholly unique compared to Atwater or Burgess.

Thus far, the series is doing a decent job of touching on minute things without reducing the character to the physical components of her identity, as if checking off a list.

In a city as diverse as Chicago, where people come from all walks of life, it’s refreshing that the unit has not only expanded but continues to reflect that, and it’s an asset to the job and work.

Kiana Cook’s introduction to the series is one of the most exciting developments, and I can’t wait to spend more time with her.

How about you?

What are your thoughts on Kiana Cook? What do you look forward to learning about her?

Who would you like to see her partnered with more?

Let’s hear your thoughts below!

Watch Chicago PD Online

The post Chicago PD: How Kiana Cook’s Addition Revitalizes Intelligence appeared first on TV Fanatic.

One of the biggest questions that has loomed over multiple seasons of this series is when one of the core three (Atwater, Burgess, or Ruzek) will get promoted to detective.

The Intelligence Unit is down all of its detectives after Halstead and Upton’s departures and Martel’s death.

From Patrol to Detective: Kim Burgess’ Promotion is Seasons in the Making

It’s time for someone to step up to the plate, and while we eagerly wished Detective Kevin Atwater was on the horizon, we’re certainly not disappointed that Burgess is the person in question.

Frankly, Chicago PD Season 12 has been slaying the content, delivering great nonstop episodes since the season premiere.

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In addition to a strong season for the series overall, it’s been a great season thus far for its female characters.

We’ve had more Trudy face time, which we’ve been longing for for quite some time.

Nina Chapman has had a strong presence, evolved as a character, and posed a fascinating arc for Voight with Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4.

The season started with the introduction of Martel, whose death subsequently set the pace for this season and left a lasting impression despite our short time with her.

Chicago PD Season 12 Has Been a Strong One Thus Far for Female Characters

Kiana Cook’s addition to the series is a welcomed breath of fresh air. It has breathed life into the series and makes Intelligence feel as if it has finally clicked into place.

So, of course, after missing a couple of installments and sometimes falling into the background, it’s time for Kim Burgess to shine in the best way possible.

Burgess’ ascent from Patrol to potential Detective is a fantastic trajectory for one of the series’ strongest characters.

It seems that after some time away at conferences and other such events, Burgess has been diligently working toward advancing her career.

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Everything else has clicked into place for her, as she’s worked through some of her trauma regarding her shooting, her family life is perfectly intact, and her engagement to Ruzek is a sign that she’s getting her happily ever after.

Now, professionally, she can have everything she desires, as she sailed through every aspect of her detective testing except one.

Kim’s Promotion is at Risk Because of a Ride-Along

Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 6 is titled “Pawns,” which already implies that Burgess will face a conundrum, whether she’s one of the pawns in question or forced to use someone as a pawn.

Burgess is one step away from becoming a detective, and she’s thrilled about it until she faces a challenge that tests her morality and everything she represents.

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As an infrastructure, policing can come down to who you are and who you know.

Work and your work ethic aren’t the only deciding factors determining who advances and who doesn’t.

What you’re willing to do, who you’re willing to rub elbows with, and things of that nature are also strong factors in how far you get and how.

“Pawns” is already fascinating in its portrayal of what law enforcement is like for women trying to advance in the field.

We’ve already learned via Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 5 that a fantastic cop like Kiana Cook, who dared to challenge her partner on his shortcomings in the field that put many in jeopardy, got demoted from her esteemed position in the Tactical unit to a patrol cop.

Detective Suarez Challenges Burgess’ Moral Standing on a Case

And now, what stands between Burgess and her detective promotion is a ride along with a fellow detective who encourages her to do something Burgess deems unfit.

One of the season’s best features is its subtle exposure to what it’s like for female law enforcement in the field.

And it seems that this Kim Burgess-centric hour aims to explore that deeper from another angle.

In the promo, we hear Detective Suarez, played by Orange is the New Black and the late, great East New York‘s Elizabeth Rodriguez, telling Burgess that one ride along is what stands in the way of her becoming a “shiny, new detective.”

It sounds simple enough, right?

What could possibly go wrong with a ride-along?

Suarez isn’t going to make this easy on Burgess in the least.

Whatever case Suarez and Burgess are working, we see that Suarez will take the lead a bit and put pressure on Burgess.

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From the promo, Suarez wants to pressure a woman who may know something valuable about the case they’re working on.

Suarez Wants Burgess to Use a Child as a Pawn

When the woman doesn’t seem immediately forthcoming with information, Suarez suggests that Burgess apply extreme pressure on the woman and use her child as leverage.

Here is where it seems the episode’s title may come into play: This woman’s child is a pawn to get her to cooperate with the police, and this woman herself is a pawn in a larger game to solve their case.

Burgess is a mother who is fiercely protective of her own child and is familiar with the risk of almost losing her twice over.

Asking someone like Burgess to use a child as leverage goes against everything that she’s against at this stage of her life and career.

While it’s not something that seems too far out of the realm of how they may have handled things in Intelligence in the past, it’s not something that Burgess is up for.

Worse yet, at no point would the fate of Burgess’ career have ever been hanging in the balance based on what she did or didn’t do here.

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It seems she is facing that now with Suarez, but Burgess is willing to stand firm and wonder if they can do things another way.

The Rest of the Unit is Still Supporting Characters in Kim’s Case

It’ll be interesting to see how the others factor into this case and installment.

Some photos show Burgess speaking with Voight, which makes you wonder if she’s asking for his advice on handling things with Suarez.

We also see a couple of stills of Burgess and Ruzek in the locker room. She may confide in her fiance about what’s going on and how she feels about it, and he always supports her.

The photos suggest that they’ll be working a difficult murder case, as we see Voight crouched over a gruesome, bloody body.

We also see Burgess at the crime scene, and she’s been looking very detective-like lately.

For those of us who have already become diehard Kiana Cook lovers, this is our first glance at her as an official member of the unit, and it seems she, too, is joining the plaid club!

We see her rocking the flannel, sitting next to Ruzek.

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It seems their desks are near each other, and the two are seemingly mirroring each other as they listen intently to something about the investigation.

It serves as a visual representation of how well she fits into the unit, don’t you think?

With Burgess working with Suarez and Atwater, possibly not in the hour since we don’t see him in the promos or stills, one has to wonder if Cook and Ruzek will partner up again like they did in Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 2.

If that’s the case, bring it on! They’re a badass duo!

Chicago PD returns on November 6 with this all-new episode!

Watch Chicago PD Online

Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics.

Are you thrilled about someone finally making detective?!

Are you happy that it’s Kim?

The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 6 Spoilers: Burgess’ Long-Awaited Detective Promotion is In Jeopardy appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Keeping up with the darker tone Chicago PD has taken over recent years, Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 5 was a perfectly creepy, dark, and atmospheric hour that coincided with a Halloween theme without playing it straightforwardly.

The Torres-centric not only put the former rookie of the unit at the center, but it allowed him to partner up with the endearing and impressive Kiana Cook and essentially pass the torch by the episode’s end.

One thing is for sure: Chicago PD Season 12 hasn’t missed with its collection of fantastically written and executed episodes that have propelled the season so far.

No, it hasn’t been perfect all around. Still, every installment has provided that perfect balance of character insight and development, along with action-oriented cases that have left us on the edge of our seats.

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And “Water and Honey” was no exception.

It was such a heavily case-centered episode that it didn’t allow much room for carrying over certain storylines.

We have no idea what’s going on with Atwater and his relationship with the therapist he’s likely been seeing.

It’s hard to know how Voight feels about Chapman’s bombshell admission at the end of Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4.

Martel’s death still lingers in these subtle ways, particularly at the top of the hour, but we don’t have much insight into where Ruzek’s head has been since that pulse-pounding Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 2.

And Burgess has returned but mostly flown under the radar in her own way recently.

Typically, these would be legitimate grievances about the show’s issues with continuity, and it would be frustrating if many episodes came across as standalone with no cohesive tissue.

But that isn’t the case this season.

It’s frustrating at times, but only minorly so. Overall, every installment thus far has been strong, and the flow still works mostly because of the subtlety and restraint with some things.

It took three episodes before we revisited Kiana Cook, but in the end, it was worth it, and the hour delivered that tenfold as the character brings this burst of energy from the second she appears on the screen.

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This quiet restraint that Toya Turner delivers with this character makes her interesting, refreshing, and somehow, in some way, completely different than other characters we’ve seen over the years.

It’s a feat to successfully introduce someone with such a markedly different vibe yet gels effortlessly with the team and other characters.

The setup here, with Kiana working with Torres with such ease, was a great one.

She’s a character who easily proved herself and her capabilities in the immediate aftermath of Martel’s death, which meant she already garnered respect from the unit for that alone.

That’s likely why it was easy for her to wander over to Intelligence in search of Ruzek, whom she went through the trenches with to capture Martel’s killer and seek help.

When two people have experienced what they did in that harrowing, relentless episode, they have a mutual bond for life and a deep trust that was only forged through the trenches.

Kiana had no way of realizing that it extended to the entire team.

Torres didn’t hesitate to help her precisely because of what she had done for one of their own before.

It wasn’t lost that she appeared mere moments after Torres stared at Martel’s desk.

Torres is a cop who also follows his instinct, so he is all in on helping her and doing what Kiana’s boss didn’t.

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And that’s where the hour picked up instantly, particularly with the rainstorm.

Initially, I wondered if they opted to film during a crappy weather day and just kept it up the whole way through.

But it was a deliberate choice—goodness, it was such a great one, setting the tone for the full hour.

Seriously, it was as if the Rain was a paid actor co-starring during this installment, and it was putting on an Oscar-worthy performance.

One of many things that’s been enjoyable this season is all the technical things that maybe viewers don’t always give much thought to, but they’re going out of their way to make sure we do this time around.

The cinematography has been out of this world this season: the direction, shading and coloring, blocking, camera and film effects, sharp editing, and, yes, things like setting a full episode to pouring rain.

There is such creativity and fun behind the camera that’s instrumental in bringing the stories to life in front of it, and it’s been so great to experience.

But back to Torres and Cook.

I find myself squinting through the opening moments of the two following footsteps to the river, gasping when Torres pulled Lucy’s body out.

Kiana catching a glimpse of Jess from a distance and then losing her was thrilling, and the fact that she was able to capture and identify her from the body cam was shocking.

One can only wonder how things could’ve ended if Kiana hadn’t trusted her instincts and followed her boss’ orders. Fortunately, she didn’t, which led to what felt like an audition for Intelligence.

It doesn’t even feel right to say she was auditioning to be on the Intelligence Unit.

If anything, it felt like they had already planned for her to be there, and they were simply waiting for the right moment to welcome her in.

It was such an easy, warm welcome; it was actually enough to make you emotional.

We don’t have many overt moments that showcase how much of a family the unit is and how much closer they’ve gotten, but it’s all the little things that confirm it.

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Voight casually calling some of them by their first name instead of their last indicates his warmth for them now more than ever.

Torres sending Burgess home and wishing her safe travels so she can be with her daughter.

It’s the shoulder pats, the constant check-ins to ensure everyone is well when things get dicey out in the field, and all those little touches that provide that intimacy and team, no, family cohesion that just feels nice.

With Kiana, they bypassed the traditional stage of “Don’t sit at that person’s desk” or the emotional distance from a new person entering their space.

Ruzek, who naturally considers her “his people” after their excursion, reassured her about which desk to take. Burgess offered up her clothes to borrow, and Voight, we all heard that grunt of approval.

It felt like they were waiting for her to click into place with them and that if anyone could feel that slot and void that remained, it was her.

I love that we bypassed all the awkwardness and growing pains that come with a new person, and the team welcomed this woman into the unit with open arms as if she belonged there the whole time.

And it all feels so natural.

It’s also genuinely refreshing to have another female member on the team, and Chicago PD may correct its previous error by actually having the women interact, be friendly, and be cool together.

Kiana fits in well with the whole team, as we got to see such an easy chemistry and connection with nearly everyone.

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It’s a refreshing change of pace than just having a character tied to one or two other characters.

The case was a wild ride, and they put much thought into it.

It was a tangled web of a case that had the hour feeling like a cross between Criminal Minds and SVU.

The “strangers on a train” vibe to it all centered on three girls who met in juvie and, after commiserating, agreed to kill the men in their lives who caused them harm and abused them.

It was disheartening to learn that these three trauma survivors were in such a bad place that they felt their only freedom was to murder the men who abused them and flee to California.

While the dead teen’s mother was a horrid woman who brought a parade of men into her home and didn’t seem to care that they sexually abused her daughter, the way she described the teens was so literary.

She referred to them as having black hearts and conjured up this image of these wild, feral teen girls set on making the world around them pay.

And when we met Jess, she had this feral quality, like a wounded animal backed into a corner and lashing out.

In many ways, Kiana was the perfect person to communicate with this girl when they finally caught her.

Based on some tidbits she shared about her youth, Kiana seems to have been delightfully weird growing up.

She also knows that the world is an unfair place because of her experiences, not just as a Black woman in law enforcement, but because of how easily she got blackballed and demoted for daring to criticize how poorly a fellow cop was doing his job.

The interview process was a tipping point for the episode and Kiana, solidifying that Intelligence was the perfect place for her.

She knocked it out of the park, getting precisely what she needed from Jess, pushing all the right buttons while also offering some empathy.

These three girls were all victims, but they also did something heinous.

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I didn’t think anything could ever top the creepiness of the cut-off eyelids during Chicago PD Season 11’s serial killer case.

However, the uncle who was waterboarded with honey is a crime scene of nightmares.

All the bugs, the eyes, the wide-open mouth, it was horrific and certainly felt like something pulled from a horror flick.

Clearly, it was an act that was fueled by hatred and rage, and the fact that three teen girls were part of that is chilling even when you know their reasoning for it.

But the murder aside, they still endangered themselves, which is how poor Lucy was found in the river with her head bashed in and clumps of hair coming out of her scalp.

And the third girl nearly drowned in the flooded basement of her father.

It’s where the water again added so much to the hour because the scene of Kiana fighting off the perpetrator in waist-deep water in a basement was one of the most nerve-wracking scenes in some time.

With all the thrashing around and the dark lighting, you could barely see what was happening.

Usually, that would be frustrating, but in this instance, it added to the intensity of the situation and damn near had me gasping for air as if I was immersed in the water myself.

The series enjoys giving Cook some incredibly intense, physical, and action-packed scenes.

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The poor woman can’t catch a break, whether she’s getting hit by a car, shot at, beaten down, or nearly drowned in a basement.

But she takes all of it like a champ.

There were so many little moments throughout the hour where it was clear that Cook impressed Voight.

You could see it all over his face: He liked how she followed her instincts, and she had good ones. He also liked how she worked well with the others and could jump into action.

His fondness was prominent throughout, and it’s enough that I look forward to the day when they work closer together on a case.

Unsurprisingly, he approved her for the unit and probably did it the second he allowed her to run with the case.

But it was such a nice moment to have Torres be the one to extend the invitation.

They were both needling at each other when they weren’t battling the elements, teens, and perpetrators.

Torres is an intensely observant person, and his queries were interesting because it felt more like he wanted to give her the opportunity to fully express what happened to her so he could let her know that he sees and understands her.

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She didn’t flinch at the mention that he was in juvie and didn’t seem judgmental, but she was defensive when explaining her issue with Sergeant Montgomery, the jerk who ignored her signals at the homeless encampment.

It took her a while to finally come out with it, but when she did, it felt as if it was because she had developed trust with Torres.

The pair would be fascinating partners who already have such great chemistry.

But Torres extending that invitation felt like the passing of the torch, and I loved it.

It both marked how far he’s come in the unit, where it genuinely feels like his home now (he’s no longer as guarded as he used to be), and it passes the role of “newbie” to Kiana.

Chicago PD trusted that we’d love Kiana’s addition to Intelligence like we did Torres, and they were right.

I can’t wait to see more.

Thinky-Thoughts:

• Black Tee Torres was not on my Bingo Card, but given that the entire episode was dousing him in the rain, I’m going to assume they didn’t want to give us heart attacks by leaving that man in a wet white tee-shirt the entire episode. Boo! Hiss! We would’ve been good … mostly.

• Every time we see Kiana she’s having the LONGEST SHIFT EVER. I hope that woman goes home after shifts, soaks in Epson salt, and relaxes because, damn!

• We didn’t see much of Ruzek and Atwater, but like Torres, they looked mighty fine in this episode.

• Burgess has been giving off detective energy, which I love for her.

Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics!

Are you happy about Kiana officially joining the squad? What were your thoughts on the case? Sound off below.

Chicago PD returns with all-new episodes on November 6.

Watch Chicago PD Online

The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 5 Review: The Intelligence Unit is Complete After Creeptastic Hour appeared first on TV Fanatic.

With Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4, we get a disturbing serial rape case that haunted Voight because of it being one of his few unsolved cases.

On top of that, it was the first case he took on after his wife died, leading to an hour of Chicago PD that touched on that lingering grief while presenting new opportunities.

Voight Revists Grief and Loneliness Since Losing Camille in Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4

Chicago PD Season 12 has done well thus far by exploring its characters during select installments while still balancing cases and many of the other unit members.

In many ways, this installment was no exception.

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The focus shifted toward Voight from the moment Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 started, and we saw him dealing with the grief that bubbled to the surface when water damage nearly ruined all of Camille’s things.

The fact that Voight still has so many of Camille’s belongings only confirms that he’s never gotten over or rather moved past grieving his wife.

Camille’s death still weighs so heavily on him, and it largely has influenced how he’s carried himself for as long as we’ve known him.

As awkward as it was that Nina made such honest observations about Voight in the middle of a stakeout, she isn’t wrong in admitting how difficult it is to picture Voight as someone who belonged to a person.

We’re Learning New Sides to Voight in Chicago PD Season 12

He’s been a lone wolf for as long as we’ve known him, trying to keep everyone at arm’s length and maintain a level of emotional distance even from those closest to him.

Clearly, Voight has never loved the same way, and we’ve accepted that part of him for as long as the series has been on the air.

As much as we’ve gotten to know Voight over the years, it’s interesting that the episode chose to explore this particular angle for him.

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Voight’s loneliness is this heavy cloak that lays over him that largely goes unaddressed even though everyone sees and knows it to be true.

We’ve seen glimpses of moments when happiness didn’t seem like an illusion for him, whether it was spending time with his grandchild, his deep connection with Anna, or his attachment to Noah.

He innately craves some deeper connection, and interestingly, with Hailey’s departure and his near-death experience, he’s at a fascinating crossroads.

A Rape Case Sparks Voight’s Desire to Make Right on Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4

Instinctively, he wants to still shut people out, but he’s also taken to expressing his care with many others.

But no matter how panicked he sounds when he fears one of Intelligence is in trouble or how often he slips and calls someone by their first name, it doesn’t compare to what he’s developed with Chapman.

The second Nina rode shotgun with Voight to a crime scene; it was clear that she would be devoted to this case and work alongside Intelligence full-on.

And frankly, it’s a good thing she did, as she offered a fresh perspective and great energy and proved to be an asset.

Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 was one of the first installments in which we saw how capable Chapman is on the job.

She was remarkable with the original rape victim, offering that soothing and reassuring quality and tone that put that poor woman at ease.

Nina Chapman was a Great Asset and Breath of Fresh Air

She stepped in instantly, recognizing that the woman probably didn’t feel comfortable around men after what had happened to her.

Her approach was reminiscent of Torres’ soothing nature and asking for permission when he worked a rape case last season. Both would be great on Law & Order: SVU.

By being there for that situation, Nina was committed to the case all the way through, but the other angle was learning that this case was connected to an unsolved one from Voight’s past during a particularly difficult time in his life.

Nina was so curious and eager to prod into Voight’s life to learn more about him, and while you couldn’t blame her, given how enigmatic he is, it was so bold on her part.

Nina’s meeting with Suzanne, who thought she was the last of this predator’s victims, also contributed to her wanting to see this through.

Nina’s Devotion to the Case Stemmed From Multiple Places

And once she got invested, there was no stopping her.

It was nice having her play such a prominent role in this episode, especially given the topic.

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Trudy also made her appearance and was valuable in assisting with the case.

Burgess was there, but not really, so the female’s perspective was appreciated.

In a case like this, Nina showed that she isn’t afraid to bend or break the rules for the greater good.

She cut corners that hopefully won’t affect her or Voight later on when she acquired that warrant under false pretenses.

But if she didn’t go that route, Penn would’ve assaulted and killed the woman he held hostage.

Two Offenders Made for a Frustrating Case

Penn was a sick individual, and so was Hogan for assisting him.

Not even his illness was enough to stop Penn from assaulting women again; he only found a new method to meet his needs using Hogan.

Hogan was a beast. Inarguably, the most exciting moment of the hour was watching Atwater and Torres go toe-to-toe with this hulk of a man.

He whooped both of their asses for a bit, but the fight sequence was exciting to watch all the same. Torres managed to get in more licks and have better luck, but that’s not surprising since fighting is his middle name.

We also had some great partnerships with him and Voight, which was a less-used but just as fun dynamic to explore.

Burgess took such a backseat that she probably didn’t have to be in this particular episode. And Ruzek had some shining moments, including using the battering ram.

Dropping the Effects of Martel’s Death is Unusual

Treating some of these episodes like one-offs has worked in many ways, but it falters when the entire unit, especially Ruzek, is dealing with Martel’s death.

This traumatic thing happened, and we’re barely addressing it anymore.

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It’s probably something that we won’t revisit again until we get a Burgess or Ruzek episode, preferably Burgess, since she has reappeared with little fanfare, and we haven’t gotten to see or hear much of her reaction or how she’s dealing with this either.

That’s where it feels like we’ve missed out on some things.

But we’re getting interesting elements in return for them.

Nina Doesn’t Hold Back on Feelings for Voight in Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4

Even with how things were building between Nina and Voight during this entire installment and Nina increasingly sharing things that were tipping her hand, it was still a shock when she confessed her feelings for Voight.

In typical Nina Chapman fashion, she did it in a direct, rather badass way while telling Voight about himself and confidently acknowledging that they don’t have to mention it again.

Then she left for her two-month trip to Denver, and, like Voight, I was left tongue-tied and trying to figure out how to react to all of this.

Nina has been interested in Voight since they first met, so it’s not even a surprise that she has feelings for him; it’s just shocking that she acknowledged them out loud to him and that the series dared to address it.

She was right to question Voight’s constant assertion that it’s somehow his job to protect everyone around him and that they can’t and shouldn’t do it in kind.

He’s gone off on almost all of Intelligence over trying to look out for him in some capacity or another.

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But he can’t approach Nina with this same attitude because she doesn’t work for him and doesn’t have to answer to him.

She’s right that Voight genuinely struggles to let people care for him, which speaks to him not feeling worthy of care in the first place.

A Symbolic Hour Suggests that Nina is a Possible New Chapter for Voight

It’s not lost that in an installment where Camille’s boxes of clothes and belongings were damaged because they had been sitting in the basement too long, prompting him to figure out what to do next with them, Nina expressed her affection for Voight.

It’s like Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 forced him to confront his grief over Camille and acknowledge that she’s gone while introducing the prospect of something more for Voight in the future.

But should Chicago PD Season 12 go there after all these years?

Let us know in the comments below.

Watch Chicago PD Online

The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4’s Case Leads to Exciting Voight & Chapman Team-Up and Shocking Confession appeared first on TV Fanatic.

With Chicago PD Season 12‘s excellent season keeping up an impressive pace of blending exciting and action-packed cases, extensive teamwork, and character focus.

It has, without question, been the best of the series in some time.

And we’re expecting another heartwrenching and action-packed installment with Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4.

Voight is Centered Again

Depending on your particular taste as a viewer, this may be a good news/bad news situation.

But in a season that will likely spend an extensive period of time focusing on specific characters per episode, we’re getting another Voight-heavy one before we’ve completed the full cycle.

As we recall, Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 1 heavily focused on Voight and was an incredible kickstart to the season.

We’re back around to him again, as a case hits close to home for him and drudges up frustrations from the past as he could not crack it.

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We’ve seen Voight’s dogged approach to crime-fighting and solving now.

Voight’s dedication has taken on an entirely new tone as his near-death experience gave him a new perspective on death and his purpose.

More than ever before, his job has become his purpose, and he’s keeping up a punishing pace of finding justice and solving as many crimes as possible.

Fortunately, it’s not at such an unrelenting pace as before, thanks to Chapman’s words of wisdom and come-to Jesus’ conversation with him.

Chapman Returns for More Support

Unsurprisingly, we’ll see Chapman appear in this installment as well, featured heavily as the team pursues a serial rape case in which Voight is desperate to find justice for the many victims.

Many of the Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 spoilers images feature Chapman, suggesting she’ll be heavily involved in this one, more so than usual.

Voight and Chapman have developed such a fascinating dynamic that showrunner Gwen Sigan has teased will persist throughout the season as Chapman steps up as the person Voight can lean on and confide in as a peer rather than a subordinate.

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One also has to wonder if Reid will make an appearance at this time.

We know that the two of them have a similar approach to the job, and thus far, we’ve only seen glimpses of him, so we’re finally due to start digging into this character.

A New Case Ties to Voight’s Unsolved Serial Rapist Case in Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4

Hopefully, he’ll make his appearance in this hour.

Voight opting to throw his all into finding a serial rapist he was unable to nab 15 years ago is a case that would likely get Reid’s attention.

Voight’s renewed sense of pursuing justice means he’ll be determined to solve this.

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It’s a case that likely haunts him, something we even see in some of the Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 spoilers.

There’s a redemptive agenda in making things right and catching this person, especially as Voight realizes that the perpetrator is still at it, raping women all these years late.

Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 Promises to Use the Full Team Again

It’ll be another action-packed, emotional case.

And the entire Chicago PD team seems just as motivated to assist their fearless leader with this one.

Keeping up with the delightful pattern of the season, it even appears as though Trudy will also have some presence in this one.

Perhaps she’s assisting with providing information or doing some research and file work.

Another plus for this hour is that the teamwork still appears to be strong.

Despite Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 serving as a Voight-centered hour, many of the spoiler images feature all of the current team.

Torres is doing a lot of the computer work and filing.

Voight and the Intelligence Men are Bringing the Action in Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4

It also appears that Ruzek and Voight will pair up on this as they hit the streets.

We even get one exciting image of Ruze carrying the battering ram, which likely means they’ll find their suspect and must bust down the door of the person’s residence.

It’s Voight, and the guys are coming through hard and ready to take on anyone.

Many images feature them donning their vests, partnered up, battering ram in hand, and ready for some action.

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We’re getting some Atwater and Ocean action with the two of them partnered up again, as well as Voight and Ruzek.

While Kim is present during this installment, the images of her show that she’s mostly in the bullpen.

We’re also getting another car chase, which is usually a blast, and the series hasn’t skimped on since the season started.

“The After” Plays Around with Dynamics and Partnerships

At one point in the promo, it looks like Atwater is trying to save a woman, which leads to them both breaking a plate of glass in the process.

One thing is for sure, Intelligence is determined to put a serial rapist away, and Voight is making it his mission to get to the bottom of a case that has haunted him for 15 years.

We’re ready for this, are you?

Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics.

What do you hope to see in this episode?

Are you looking forward to another Voight-centric?

Sound off below with all of your thoughts!

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The post Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 4 Spoilers: Voight Hunts Down a Serial Rapist from the Past appeared first on TV Fanatic.