Chicago P.D. 3×20 “In a Duffel Bag” and 3×21 “Justice” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

Case Summary: “In a Duffel Bag” the Intelligence unit’s surprising find sends them off on a seemingly never-ending quest, but also manages to reveal a part about Voight’s past we would’ve probably otherwise not have known. In “Justice” after Roman’s shot through the car door, Kim goes to trial when the kid she shoots claims he’s innocent.

Review | Analysis: Chicago P.D. gave viewers a bit sneak peek of what Chicago Law will look like if the pilot’s picked up, and it made for an interesting episode. For the most part, despite the fact that it wasn’t my favorite, “Justice” kept a great balance between the case and the heart within the unit. And though it actually felt like it was a two-hour-long episode, it was fascinating to be uncertain of what was ahead. While we don’t always know who the killer is right away, the issues “Justice” brought up continuously kept me on the edge of my seat. The series has yet to cover police brutality in depth and I’m still waiting for the episode where it showcases what it’s truly like.

As most of you have noticed by now, these reviews have gotten shorter and shorter — for that reason, after careful thought and consideration we’ve decided to change the format. Instead of a full-length episode review, we’ll be focusing on the most exquisite scene and the most noteworthy performance.

Most Exquisite Moment: Being able to finally see Burgess and Ruzek have a legitimate heart-to-heart was everything. My biggest complaint about this season is the way their relationship was sidelined while the blame was pinned on the wrong person. Patrick Flueger and Marina Squerciati have always been excellent scene partners and being able to play off one another effortlessly have been phenomenal to watch.

Ruzek’s always been incredibly considerate of Burgess’ feelings, and the fact that he’s consistently chosen to put her first has stood out remarkably. It doesn’t matter what state they’ve been in, if and when she’s been in danger, his immediate reaction is ceaselessly checking in on her. And I love that he approached her in the locker rooms to fortify the fact that though they aren’t together, it doesn’t change the fact that he has her back. At his best, Adam’s always been graceful — doing everything in his power to make sure Kim knows she isn’t alone. And that bold showcase of his feelings authenticates the very fact that this is weighing down on him heavily. And what he deserves most is proper closure. I don’t know when the two will talk again, but if they do, hopefully it covers everything they’ve been through.

Most Noteworthy Performance: It is very rare for guest stars to have such promising roles, and Philip Winchester’s Peter Stone left a great impression. Most importantly Winchester managed to layer the character with great depth showcasing just how caring he is as a lawyer while revealing the fierceness within. It isn’t simply about winning the case, it’s about justice — it’s about the truth. And he was able to reflect that in a way that felt organic. Additionally, at the end of the day, Winchester balanced rage and heart wonderfully managing to make me care about Peter Stone’s character. And while I probably won’t watch Chicago Law, it does look like it’d be an incredible show.

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