Chicago P.D. Season 14 is officially back in action, introducing a new challenge for the detectives of the Intelligence Unit.
While audiences may find them vital to the safety of Chicago, the sentiment isn’t shared by everyone, as the final moments of the episode introduce a new challenger for Voight, who has, up until this point, run his unit the way that he sees fit. Sure, he’s had to change up his methods a bit over the course of 14 seasons, but now, he’s been tasked with proving the unit’s an “efficient use of resources.”
And the FBI agent assigned to his team is already someone Voight has crossed paths with—and did not leave a good impression on.
Voight was understandably frustrated with how overrun and chaotic the precinct had gotten while becoming a temporary hub for hundreds of officers and agents relocated from the OCD headquarters, which was getting demolished, but he also took it out on them, including an agent that he didn’t even realize would be the one determining the fate of his unit.
Of course, maybe Voight and the rest of the squad will end up growing on him and proving that they’re essential.
After 14 seasons, the series has to find ways to keep things fresh, with characters evolving and growing with the times while keeping audiences on their feet.
This isn’t the first time Voight has butted heads with someone who could destroy his career, but he’s also never one to back down from a fight. That quality has remained consistent with the character.
As has his “look the other way” approach, an option he offered to Imani once she found out her sister murdered someone.
The moment at the beginning reminded viewers how Season 13 ended, as Imani finally found her younger sister, whom she’s been searching for for years.
Unfortunately, it was far from a joyful reunion.
Imani had a tough choice to make—she could bury what her sister did and let her walk free, though she’d always be looking over her shoulder.
And truthfully, it would’ve been a terrible decision that would put everyone in Intelligence in the crossfire, even though they’d surely have her back (in the same way Torres told her he’d have her back no matter what, which I believe is hinting at a possible romance between Imani and Torres. Lord knows he’s into her!).
We’ve seen detectives who walk a similar path as Voight before, so it was refreshing to see Imani choose the “correct” path, even if it didn’t feel right at all.
Daily, Imani upholds the law, so she didn’t let Shari get a pass, instead, helping her get a solid plea deal and believing that this was the best way forward—the one that would help Shari rehabilitate after everything she’d been through.
Because, unfortunately, Shari was a product of her kidnapping. She was doing whatever she could to survive in the only life she’d ever known.
She didn’t have those memories of Imani and her family to hold onto, and therefore, she didn’t reciprocate the level of care and love that Imani showed for her. It was heartbreaking to see unfold, knowing how much of her life Imani gave up, fighting to find her sister.
She did everything she could to help her, but sometimes, the best thing you can do is offer space and take a step back. Shari wasn’t used to the kind of love that Imani had for her, and it was suffocating.
In time, I imagine they’ll find a new normal that makes sense for them, as this will be the overarching storyline this season, but it’ll also come with a bit of a wake-up call for Imani that good intentions aren’t always enough.
CHICAGO P.D. — “Demolition” Episode 1401 — Pictured: (l-r) LaRoyce Hawkins as Officer Kevin Atwater, , Marina Squerciati as Officer Kim Burgess — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)
Chicago P.D. Season 14 Episode 1 Case of the Week
The procedural case pulling us back into Intelligence’s orbit paralleled Imani’s own journey and put into question whether a person could change.
The answer? Yes. But it has to come from within. And still, the world has a way of knocking out all hope from people who are doing their best to follow the straight and narrow, a reality that Chris experienced firsthand when he was accused of shooting his parole officer, Lindell, and killing another woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
All signs pointed to Chris, so everyone just assumed it was him, except for Imani, who approached it with a little more logic and compassion. She didn’t just accept what was being fed to her—she questioned the narrative at every turn.
Chris had a clean rap sheet ever since he was paroled, so there’s no reason for him to shoot Lindell. And there were no witnesses who saw him take the shot.
The case deepened when Chris’ friend, Fritzy, who was also Lindell’s parolee, ended up overdosing in Voight’s arms from heroin laced with a lethal amount of rat poison. Imani made the point that Chris had no reason to kill his friend, and everything became clear when they found blood and semen on the bedsheets at Fritzy’s house.
In a heartbreaking twist, Chris confirmed that Lindell found out Fritzy was using again and promised to keep it a secret in exchange for sex; when she told him she was done, he raped her instead. Fritzy took matters into her own hands and shot Lindell while in Chris’ car, which is why it was placed at the scene, while Lindell drugged her at home to keep the truth from getting out.
Except Imani was persistent, hoping to find justice for someone she believed in, and once they cornered Lindell, he confessed to everything before asking Voight and his officers to shoot him because he wouldn’t make it in prison.
Voight informed him he won’t be “getting the easy way out,” promising that he’ll feel “everyday” of his charges.
The saying don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time comes to mind because Lindell was so good at manipulating in the shadows, but couldn’t stand his own when confronted with his ugly decisions.
Atwater’s Baby Is Coming
Enough time has passed between seasons that the moment has arrived—Tasha is in labor, and Atwater is about to become a daddy.
And it’s bittersweet. For 14 seasons, fans have been asking for Atwater to get more personal storylines, specifically, a love interest. He’s had a few romances here and there, but never anything serious, and they finally nailed down the right girl for him with Tasha. She’s vibrant, electric, and she challenges him, making her an incredible addition to the team.
So what does that mean? LaRoyce Hawkins is exiting the series.
I’m personally upset that Atwater is leaving the series before we can really dive into Kevin’s new journey or even see how fatherhood will change him, becuse I’m sure it will.
Hopefully, the sendoff gives us at least a glimpse of what could have been so we can hold onto the good moments. Atwater has gone through so much as a detective; in this new chapter, he deserves to focus on the good in the world versus constantly finding himself carrying the weight of his community.
It was fitting that Ruzek was the one to drive him to the hospital before he earned the title, but admittedly, I’ll cry my eyes out when it’s time for Atwater to say goodbye to the OG crew and move on with his life.
Losing a core character is never easy—and fans of the One Chicago shows have been hit with many losses these past few years. It seems to be the curse and blessing of a show being around for so many seasons.
What did you think of the premiere? Let us know in the comments!