It’s been seven months since we final caught up with the members of Intelligence on Chicago PD.
Since Episode 20, the world has modified fairly drastically with the onset of a world pandemic and the Black Lives Matter motion protesting police brutality.
Understandably, this brings into query our favourite police procedural. How will the collection deal with the unavoidable new realities?
Right here’s every thing we all know as we gear up for Chicago PD Season 8!
Police Reform
Tackling police brutality goes to be extra of an uphill battle for Chicago PD as Intelligence is understood to cross strains and bounds within the title of justice.
As instances are altering, the present wants to deal with this very actual challenge. Showrunner Rick Eid advised TVInsider that police reform can be on the forefront of the season and it boils all the way down to Sgt. Voight, who has a repute of being a little bit of a “corrupt cop.”
In keeping with Eid, Voight should determine if he’s “a part of the issue or a part of the answer” after dealing with backlash from not solely the neighborhood but in addition his superiors.
Per the official synopsis for Chicago PD Season 8 Episode 1, “the group responds to the taking pictures of a 5-year-old lady andmust work the case whereas dealing with the heightened consideration on police reform.”
Jason Beghe, who performs Voight, appears looking forward to the change in gentle of current occasions.
“Due to all of the stuff that’s happening with police and Black Lives Matter, for the three weeks earlier than taking pictures, we had been in heavy communication with one another and sure advisers,” Beghe advised FBI: Most Wanted‘s Julian McMahon during Wolf Entertainment’s “Unscripted” video on Monday, October 26.
“We’re persevering with from there and type of drawing out the larger issues. As we choose up, it’s post-George Floyd. My character is an actual old-fashioned, ‘I do know what I’m presupposed to do however I do what I’ve to do,’ type of man. He breaks the rule and that stuff ain’t flying anymore,” he stated.
There’s a New Superintendent in City
And he or she’s holding Voight accountable! As TVFanatic previously reported, Nicole Ari Parker is about to recur on Chicago PD as Superintendent Samantha Miller. The deputy superintendent hails from Atlanta and is described as “a progressive, ardent proponent of police reform.”
In keeping with Eid, Miller’s purpose is to abolish the “warrior cop” mentality that has fueled Chicago’s police for a lot too lengthy. With a purpose to do this, she needs to assist Voight and Intelligence adapt to a brand new actuality and “views Intelligence as integral on this mission.”
She believes that if she will change Voight, the remainder of the pressure will observe go well with. However it received’t be simple as everyone knows Voight performs by his personal algorithm.
Black Versus Blue
The synopsis additionally teases that “Atwater is focused by officers who wish to harm him for standing towards the blue wall.”
Chicago PD didn’t comprehend it on the time, however when Chicago PD Season 7 wrapped prematurely, it handed itself instantly into the narrative that might segway completely into the real-life racial tensions stemming from the brutal homicide of George Floyd.
For individuals who want a fast refresher: through the Chicago PD Season 7 finale, Atwater was tasked to work alongside racist cop, Tommy Doyle. The 2 put apart their beef to work the case, however Atwater referred to as out him out for racially profiling a younger Black man.
Doyle’s actions obtained him killed through the incident, and as an alternative of mendacity about it as he was suggested, Atwater broke the “blue wall of silence” and testified towards him.
Atwater’s honesty triggered Doyle’s celebrated police household, who now need revenge.
Within the last scene of the episode, Atwater goes dwelling and sees Doyle’s companion ready in entrance of his dwelling. When he confronts him, the block lights up in blue in solidarity with Doyle, an indication that the police pressure is waging battle on Atwater.
Images from the premiere episode present that Atwater is again in motion. Despite the fact that Voight and the group have his again, his “superiors” are doubtless not making it simple for him to stay a cop.
There’s a Pandemic Out There
The #OneChicago exhibits will totally embrace the COVID-19 pandemic and incorporate it into the brand new seasons, which is able to naturally pressure a change in character behaviors.
This isn’t the primary time we’ll see our favorites from Intelligence, Firehouse 51, and Med come face-to-face with a pandemic, however it’s the primary time the general public will have the ability to relate.
In case you forgot, the three-hour epic crossover occasion titled “An infection” throughout Chicago PD Season 7 discovered all three groups working collectively to thwart a menace of bioterrorism.
Who may have guessed that just some months after these three episodes aired, these eerie empty streets of Chicago would grow to be our actuality?
One other picture from the Chicago PD Season 8 premiere exhibits Atwater, Halstead, and Ruzek sporting face coverings as they leap into motion. Not even a world pandemic can cease these guys!
Halstead Has a Mustache
It’s clear that Intelligence could have rather a lot on their plates throughout Chicago PD Season 8, however essentially the most baffling addition is Halstead’s mustache.
Quarantine beards and mustaches are comprehensible if you’re working from dwelling however not on the job. Did he not get the CDC’s memo that facial hair doesn’t work properly with COVID and face masks?
All jokes apart, the mustache seems to be like a brand new member of Intelligence. Are you digging it or are you hoping he shaves it off ASAP?
Upton’s Again!
Talking of police reform . . . Voight’s not the one one who should change his methods. In direction of the tip of Chicago PD Season 7, Haley Upton was so out of line throughout a case that Voight shipped her off to New York to spend a while with the FBI.
This additionally allowed the 2 NBC exhibits, PD and FBI, to crossover. Win-win, proper?
The excellent news is that she’s leaping again into motion Chicago PD Season 8, in line with images from the season premiere.
Rojas Out
Intelligence can be down one member as Lisseth Chavez will not be returning as Vanessa Rojas. Chavez is leaving the present after one season. The actress would be the latest recruit of the Waveride on The CW’s Legends of Tomorrow because the collection common function of alien skilled Esperanza “Spooner” Cruz.
It’s unclear if the collection will clarify her departure, if Atwater will ever get a love curiosity, or if she’ll get replaced with a brand new group member when the time comes.
The Season Will Be Shortened
Blame it on COVID! Chicago PD (together with sister exhibits Chicago Med and Chicago Hearth) will every have 15 episodes for their upcoming seasons.
Seasons sometimes encompass 22 or 23 episodes, nonetheless, all three exhibits had been compelled to wrap up their most up-to-date seasons sooner than deliberate because of quarantine measures to stop the unfold of the virus. Chicago PD Season 7 clocked in at simply 20 episodes.
A Main Character Will Reportedly Be Killed Off
Apparently, shedding Antonio and Olinsky wasn’t sufficient! TVFanatic reported that the collection is about to kill off a predominant character when Chicago PD Season 8 resumes. Attributable to Chicago PD Season 7 getting minimize quick, a number of the massive storylines deliberate for the unique finale are getting carried over into the upcoming season.
Chicago PD showrunner Rick Eid defined to TVLine that the dying of “somebody we all know” will doubtless be nestled into the early episodes of the season.
Sadly, we do not know whether or not it’s a recurring participant getting the dying edit or one of many extra everlasting forged members.
Who do you assume it’s?
The place Is the Love?
The season received’t be all police reform and COVID targeted. We will’t overlook concerning the potential for love!
Sparks have been flying between Upton and Halstead, and whereas some followers aren’t into the pairing, many wish to see them lastly act on these emotions. Let’s hope she likes mustaches!
There’s additionally the potential of Burgess and Ruzek, who’ve established a robust bond following their devastating miscarriage.
“It is grow to be an emotional obstacle to their relationship,” Eid says. “They’ve an unbreakable bond, however are they higher off as mates?” We will’t wait to seek out out!
Chicago PD returns to NBC as a part of the One Chicago lineup on Wednesday, November 11.
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Lizzy Buczak is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Observe her on Twitter and browse her private weblog at CraveYouTV.