cpdr

Chicago P.D. 4×13 “I Remember Her Now” Recap

Spoilers Ahead 

Raise your hand if the beginning of this episode made you extremely uncomfortable, but all the plaid made it somewhat better?

Case Summary: When a 15-year-old is found brutally murdered, the unit learns that she comes from a school known for dealing with mischievous kids. In order to figure out what goes on behind closed doors, Jay must go undercover, where he’ll experience even more traumatic events.

Review | Analysis: “I Remember Her Now” was a risk to take, but it’s one that I’m slightly pleased the series has targeted. No matter how uncomfortable it made me (seriously, I was very uncomfortable), it was a raw depiction of the nastiness in our world. And nastiness isn’t a word that’s used often here because it’s one of my least favorite words to use for how demeaning it is. And that’s what this case showcased — the horrors that people will succumb underage girls to for money. An episode like this is never easy to watch, but it was fascinating to see Jesse Lee Soffer take Jay out of his normal element and into something we’ve yet to see from him. It was fascinating to see good win. It was fascinating to see these girls find a proper home.

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Chicago P.D. 4×12 “Sanctuary” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

Case Summary: When a girl is murdered after her morning run, two kids become the suspects. However, after they run into the church, the officers can’t get to them as they’re then protected by the Pastor. It turns out they weren’t guilty, the church is destroyed, and the culprit is found.

Review | Analysis: “Sanctuary” should have aired before “You Wish” because once again we’re left with a lack of continuity that simply doesn’t add up. But that said, for what it’s worth, I adored the focus we had on Atwater and I only wish his scenes were a little bit longer. Laroyce Hawkins needs to be given more opportunities to shine as he did this week. Who do I need to speak to for more Atwater scenes?

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Chicago P.D. 4×11 “You Wish” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

Case Summary: When a man is found dead, a young girl becomes the suspect, but when it turns out that she’s the victim of sexual assault and was merely trying to defend herself neighborhood secrets lead the Intelligence unit to a different set of officers.

Review | Analysis: Thankfully, “You Wish” was a great of example of how Chicago P.D. is at its best: a thrilling case and intricately balanced storylines that remind viewers of how wonderful these characters truly are.

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Chicago P.D. 4×07 “300,000 Likes” and 4×08 “A Shot Heard Round the World” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

“Never hold back a rising star.”

Case Summary: In “300,000 Likes” a former prisoner is convicted of calling the shots from inside the prison walls. And in “A Shot Heard Round the World”, two officers are shot and killed after the entire department is targeted in what’s presumed to be revenge for police brutality. But what it turns out to be is an unstable human specifically targeting the unit because he was expelled from the Academy.

Review | Analysis: Chicago P.D.’s two-part fall finale was solid and it’s left viewers with a great deal to digest. But as it’s no surprise to any frequent reader, it’s the stories the team told that left me in awe. And due to the ugly crying that ensued, my mascara was gone before I could bust out the makeup removing wipes. Chicago P.D. has stood its ground uniquely because of its team and in the finale, things changed drastically.

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Chicago P.D. 4×06 “Some Friend” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

Case Summary: When a dead body is found in the house of a man Olinsky knows, things get personal in the Intelligence unit. And after Lindsay receives flowers that weren’t sent by Jay, concerns arise.

Review | Analysis: “Some Friend” was an acute example of how intriguing this show can be. It’s admirable to want to genuinely set a strong example for someone in order to help them improve their lives. But if that person doesn’t respond the honorable way, how do we respond that shows our character? The Intelligence unit and almost everyone who works for law enforcement does so because they selflessly seek justice, and while things don’t always go as planned, with the exception of Voight they’ve often reacted in ways that have been admirable.

Alvin Olinsky hasn’t been the focus of Chicago P.D. too often and when he is, the episode is always memorable. Olinsky’s empathy has been a bright light in a dark world, and “Some Friend”gave that light the opportunity to shine beautifully.

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Chicago P.D. 4×05 “A War Zone” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

And all good things must come to an end.

Case Summary: After Will Halstead calls in the unit to notify them of yet another overdose and a body’s later found, the unit scatters together to find the dealer. Tay’s sent back to her old unit. Jay gives Mouse his blessing to leave and Platt hands him the cleared record.

Review | Analysis: “A War Zone” was solid, but unsurprisingly one of the more heartbreaking episodes. One of the things Chicago P.D. is best at is showcasing the importance of a person’s agency. And in doing so, it’s always done a riveting job of revealing the depth of adoration our heroes carry in their hearts. However, most importantly it reminded us of the fact that soldiers carry admirably selfless passion within them, and we need to remind ourselves of how vital they are everyday.

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Chicago P.D. 4×04 “Big Friends Big Enemies” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

Case Summary: When a kid’s in fatal position after a gun shot wound, the Intelligence unit goes after known gangs who’ve also documented the process. One shooting leads to another and by the end of the episode, it turns out it isn’t simply one group.

Review | Analysis: “Big Friends Big Enemies” wasn’t as intriguing as former episodes of Chicago P.D. but it gave us a glimpse into Kevin Atwater’s life and if you’ve been following us for a while, then you know this is something we’ve been waiting. It also did a great job of setting up Antonio’s future departure and again, if you’ve been following us for a while, then you know that’s breaking my heart.

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Chicago P.D. 4×03 “All Cylinders Firing” Recap

Spoilers Ahead 

Trudy Platt for President 2016.

Case Summary: After one of their own is shot and attacked, the unit must come together to find the attacker. And while there are no leads when Platt’s in the hospital, after her father’s murdered, it becomes easier to understand that this is was a plotted attack towards the family and not police officers.

Review | Analysis: “All Cylinders Firing” wasn’t the most thematically moving episode, but it was one that featured extraordinary performances and for this show, that’s always enough for me. At most, “All Cylinders Firing” was the perfect reminder of the fact that this team will always fight through hell and back for each other. And when it comes down to protecting each other, sometimes the best thing they can do is be there to remind them of who they are.

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Chicago P.D. 3×23 “Start Digging” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

And the streak of unnecessary TV deaths continues.

Case Summary: When a woman is found dead in the trunk of a car, the unit links her to Voight’s son Justin, but before they can find Justin, he’s been shot and left in the same position. And before we can find the killer, Voight’s in a position to be promoted to Lieutenant and when the culprit’s found, the notorious detective we met in the pilot returns.

Review | Analysis: “Start Digging” is the type of episode that managed to remind me of what Chicago P.D. in its first season was like. And while I adored the first season, I’m not sure I’m okay with the turn this episode took. Voight’s actions were understandable, they’re unquestionably wrong and as someone who hates watching favorite characters take drastic turns, it’s never fun. Ultimately, while “Start Digging” ended in a cliffhanger that’ll bleed into season four intriguingly, I wanted a little bit more. But I suppose the series did a great job of leaving me wanting more, right?

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Chicago P.D. 3×22 “She’s Got Us” Recap

Spoilers Ahead

“There’s such a thing as having too much empathy. You leave nothing for yourself.”

Case Summary: When an entire family is brutally murdered, their youngest daughter and the only survivor has seen who’s done it. The only problem is, she’s heavily traumatized and disoriented leaving it up to Dr. Charles, Lindsay, and Halstead to find ways to get through to her. And after the events from last week, Roman can no longer return to patrol.

Review | Analysis: “She’s Got Us” was an exceptional episode showcasing why this show is so special. It was great to be reminded of why we chose to review this show in the first place taking us back to elements that were found in the very first season. As one of the most thematically powerful episodes all season, “She’s Got Us” exhibited character growth beautifully showcasing just how vital it is to keep a balance between empathy/self-care, love/partnership, and work/fun.

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