Adam Ruzek took a hit on Chicago PD Season 9 Episode 17 both physically and emotionally.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a standalone Ruzek episode that didn’t directly involve Burgess and Makayla, and I’ve forgotten how much I like him as a character on his own.
It was also one of the first times we’ve seen an officer go into an undercover situation blindly without any backup, which made for a tense and unexpected episode.
Ruzek’s fight with Burgess at the beginning of the episode was the catalyst for him taking on Mr. P’s case. He didn’t want to be at home, so he peeled off to play poker, which in turn led to his former English teacher reaching out for help to find his missing daughter.
Of course, this hit home to Ruzek who recently spent a day searching for Mack after she was abducted from her apartment.
When Mr. P said “we just need our daughter back,” Ruzek understood his plea more than anyone. He knew what it was like to be the scared and concerned father who has no idea where his child is. He’s been there, so he felt personally compelled to help him out.
Little did he know, his small favor would blow open a full narcotics operation with Olivia at the center of the sting.
Ruzek wanted to protect Olivia from possibly getting life in prison, so he flipped her to become his informant and his “in” with Wade, a dealer who has built his empire on college campuses. You know, the scummiest of scum. Wade doesn’t care that his product, which is laced with fentanyl, is causing overdoses and killing young adults who have their whole life ahead of him.
But he does know that a lot of other people care, including the cops, which is why Wade never let anyone in until they were fully vetted.
If a paranoid drug dealer sounds like a slice of hell, well, you’re not wrong. And Ruzek can attest to it.
He created a whole new life for himself, complete with a car and apartment near campus, and then he went to sell it to Wade, who was definitely skeptical.
There were several times when Ruzek was close to blowing his cover to get Olivia medical care as she tried some “new product” and was tripping hard.
There’s nothing scarier than you’re informant and sidekick being so strung out that you have no idea if they’ll be able to follow through and keep up the facade.
However, Olivia’s tolerance was frighteningly high. And she knew how to handle herself, so at every step of the way, she informed Ruzek that she was good to continue.
Chicago PD always puts up a lens on the dangers of drug use, but I don’t think it’s ever been displayed as drastically as it was with Olivia and then again with Ruzek once he was forced to take a bump to protect her.
Wade and Ruzek agreed on a drop location, but before Intelligence was able to get to him, Wade switched it up and took Adam’s phone so that he had no way of communicating with his team.
Intelligence searched high and low for Ruzek, but it truly is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Especially when you have no idea where someone might have gone.
I’ll be frank that there were definitely some missteps during this operation. Since they knew how paranoid and careful Wade was, they likely should’ve anticipated that he would move the location and been close enough so that they could see where Ruzek sped off to.
The other moment that made me throw my hands in the air was when Olivia ran to Ruzek’s truck to find the narcan and Wade spotted a police vest. If you’re trying to keep up the cover, why would you ever have a police vest in your truck? Again, if the man is as paranoid as they say he is, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that he would search the truck or something.
It was infuriating to see these missteps on a case that should’ve been airtight.
At the undisclosed location, Wade put a gun to Ruzek’s head and informed him that he thought he was a cop. Honestly, I’m not surprised Wade is as paranoid as he is because his gut was absolutely correct.
When Ruzek refused to do a line, he threatened to shoot Olivia, which left our beloved detective without a choice.
The dose was so strong that it literally knocked Ruzek off his feet. And that should tell you a lot as to why there are OD’s popping up all across the city.
Olivia knew that Ruzek likely wouldn’t be able to handle it, so she went for the Narcan as poor Ruzek stayed back and tried his best to fight it.
In his downward spiral, he activated his beacon and gave the most heartbreaking speech to Burgess and Mack because even in what could’ve been his last moments, those two ladies are the only thing he ever cared about.
He loves them so much, and I was certain that this moment and this situation would be a turning point for Burgess and Ruzek’s relationship.
Sadly, I was wrong.
Burgess was definitely worried and arrived on the scene in the knick of time. When she administered the Narcan, Ruzek was jolted back to life, thankfully.
Unfortunately, back at home, Burgess informed Ruzek that Mack was doing really well without him around, which is honestly the last thing you ever want to hear when you come from a week undercover that results in a near overdose. Timing, woman.
Ruzek understood that this was the final straw, and informed Burgess that they needed to do what was best for Mack.
It was heartbreaking. I refuse to believe that not having Adam in her life is the best thing for Mack as she was so attached to him.
And honestly, Burgess needs to open her eyes and recognize how devoted and dedicated Ruzek has always been to making this work. He would move mountains for them!
I hated seeing Ruzek slink back to the apartment he rented as a cover. The place could not have had a colder atmosphere, and it was definitely not conducive to helping someone thrive.
I almost got the feeling that Ruzek was going to use again, but I’m sincerely hoping that’s not a storyline they are even thinking of pursuing.
At this point, Ruzek and Burgess are done. She’s pushed him away plenty of times, this time under the guise that it’s what Mack wants, and I don’t want him to ever crawl back to her again.
They need to move on and find new healthy and meaningful relationships.
It’s time.
Ruzek has such a big heart and it’s time he found someone that is appreciative of it.
Also, Olivia survived the tussle with Wade. She may have taken a bullet, but she came out of it stronger and with a new outlook on life as she realized she was worthy of life so she was finally going to reconnect with her parents.
Ruzek delivered on his promise through and through.
What did you think of the episode? Were you scared for Ruzek’s life?
Do you think he’s better off without Burgess?
Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think!