Chicago P.D. Review: Little Bit of Light, But No Warmth

Chicago P.D. is a procedural that is pretty dark in its realistic view of the world. As Lindsay puts it, they can come to work and deal with people everyday who have far more difficult problems than their own. Because this is the case, it’s their duty to help in any way they can. Sometimes it happens they have to get justice for those who were just trying to help others themselves.

Intelligence investigates the murder of Bobby Trent, a videographer who trailed crime scenes. The theory is that he was killed because he filmed Sarah Huntley, the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Chicago who fell off the radar due to a drug habit. Considering that’s the only footage in the videographer’s home that wasn’t destroyed, Sarah was either in trouble, or looking to cover up that she was by any means. She admits knew Bobby through NA meetings, but fails to mention that she has had contact with her father. That’s because Bobby filmed something he wasn’t supposed to. He found out that the woman he loved fell into drugs because her father raped her when she was nine. It tormented him to the point that he forced a confession out of Sarah’s father, and it cost him his life. Luckily Bobby taught Sarah to record everything, so she has her father’s taped confession once Lindsay convinces her to be brave enough to use it.

While they’re in the neighborhood, Atwater and Voight take up Bobby’s crusade with a little girl he was interviewing in the neighborhood. Bobby didn’t just cover the sorrows of the city, he wanted to see some light left in the world. He filmed a documentary around a father separated from his daughter by prison. Little Taja Boles still got to take piano lessons because of the money her dad sent every month from his prison paycheck, and after everything Voight has seen lately, he arranged for Taja’s father to get a day pass to see his daughter play in person. Small acts make the world feel a little less dark.

Family is tough, and when you dig deeper into the relationships that create them, it’s a whole other beast of issues. Burgess’ sister Sarah comes to visit, and makes no secret of how much she hates Ruzek. Just because Burgess and Ruzek worked through some of their issues (and may be back together), doesn’t mean Sarah isn’t going to go into her protective sister mode. The same goes for Burgess when she finds out her sister is getting a divorce. She gives her the space and the support she needs while she goes through this difficult time. Voight gives no such consideration to Halstead and Lindsay. The only reason he allowed them to have a relationship and still be partners was because they gave their words that their relationship wouldn’t interfere with the job. If they don’t get their attitudes in check at least while they’re at work, Voight won’t give them another chance.

Family ties are everything, so tune in next week when Burgess leans on Ruzek and her entire Chicago P.D. family to help her own blood through a crisis.