Is everybody okay after that tension-filled season finale?
A superb chunk of Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 13 featured Voight going through off with serial killer Matson or hallucinating whereas alone, and Upton’s rescue effort did not assist issues.
Let’s all take a minute to catch our breaths earlier than we dive into that disturbing season finale!
Matson Vs. Voight Was Considered one of Chicago PD’s Creepiest Tales
One-on-one standoffs with a creepy villain are hit-or-miss propositions. They are often fascinating character research, psychological thrillers, or annoying and scary for the hell of it.
Voight vs. Matson was among the many most annoying, second solely to Regulation & Order: SVU’s William Lewis saga.
Voight and Upton gained their battle towards Matson partially as a result of Voight knew how one can push all of Matson’s buttons. He refused to indicate ache or concern when Matson’ tortured him and did not do what he needed, both.
Chicago PD Assessment: Stock
That acquired Matson off his recreation, so he made a colossal mistake and underestimated Upton.
Why Not Kill Matson Outright?
Upton and Matson’s standoff within the parking space made no sense, no less than not on a floor stage. The cops on police procedurals, particularly PD, are at all times killing perps earlier than they get the data they want, so why ought to that cease Upton from taking pictures Matson?
I did not perceive why she surrendered till she fought him off and freed herself. Then it was apparent: she let him assume he gained so he would not see her coming.
That was a superb plot twist! Effectively performed, even when it led to a different combat within the basement that felt like a repeated beat.
Chicago PD Gave Us Sensible Thoughts Video games, However…
The opposite weak point right here was Voight’s refusal to name Upton. As talked about above, that threw Matson off his recreation, however it appeared to make discovering Voight unnecessarily onerous.
Would not it have been simpler for Voight to make the decision so your entire workforce may hint his location and ambush Matson when he was anticipating Upton to come back alone?
Matson was relying on Upton taking the bait and being so desirous to rescue Voight she’d take any threat, regardless of how reckless, and he was proper — however it did not need to go down that manner.
The cop who faces a violent psychopath alone is sufficient of a drained TV trope with out making the cops do issues the onerous manner for no obvious cause.
If the writers needed Upton in excessive hazard, wonderful. At the very least clarify why neither Voight nor the workforce thought-about the extra apparent technique.
Upton’s Unsurprising Exit
We knew Upton can be leaving earlier than Chicago PD Season 11 started, so the one query was how she would exit.
I guessed she’d resolve Petrovitch was proper and he or she needed to go away the unit after rescuing Voight.
Shut, however no cigar. Voight needed to speak her into doing it though she admitted she was a workaholic who turned a cop to flee her troubled childhood.
Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 10 Spoilers: Hailey Leads One other Darkish Case with Creepy Undertones
There was that one second after she acquired shot the place it appeared like she would possibly exit in a physique bag, however as soon as she survived, it was clear what would occur subsequent.
Given all of the unsubtle bulletins this season, it is sensible that Upton is utilizing the job to run away from her issues. Petrovitch stored insisting it was the case, and Upton stored denying it, so she’d have to appreciate it will definitely.
This might have been a shifting psychological well being story if it hadn’t felt as if it had been tacked on to Upton’s character this season solely to present her an exit story.
Upton has by no means been my favourite, and I do not keep in mind her tales in full element, however I by no means acquired the sense that she had these critical points till this season.
It appeared as if the writers ran out of street for her to journey down after Halstead left after which got here up with the thought of operating from a troubled childhood and needing an equally troubled cop to assist her see it.
Petrovitch will not be a compelling character and hopefully won’t keep now that Upton has seen the sunshine and left the unit.
In fact, Upton left to go to a different legislation enforcement company the place she’ll really feel extra fulfilled. How precisely does that remedy the issue of working as a cop to keep away from coping with childhood trauma?
Voight’s Survival Methods
Voight spent a great deal of time attempting to outlive and breaking down mentally.
Was {that a} ghostly go to or hallucination of Olinsky? Both manner, it was good to see him once more, and his telling Voight that Voight wasn’t dying but gave Voight energy.
Nonetheless, this is not Days of Our Lives. We do not want useless folks visiting the dwelling to miraculously get them out of a near-death scenario.
Voight’s flashbacks have been an ideal approach for exhibiting his mind-set. Earlier than Olinsky’s go to, he was centered on remembering Upton’s upset at having to shoot a perp. Afterward, he remembered all of the violent and not-quite-legal issues he used to do.
That instructed Voight had gained energy once more and was able to combat with all the pieces he had — and he did, as soon as he acquired over how indignant he was that Upton risked her life to avoid wasting him.
I do not know what that bizarre father/daughter vibe between them was except Voight was to this point gone he had Upton combined up with Lindsay.
Chicago PD’s Hunt for Voight Was Frustratingly Life like
The precise police work a part of the hour was stored to a minimal to accommodate the thoughts video games, however what we acquired was lifelike.
Chicago PD’s Most Compelling Characters Aren’t Who You Assume
The problem discovering leads, the grey sedan turning out to be a useless finish, and the uncertainty over whether or not the burner telephones they traced have been precise leads or planted to throw them off felt like an actual police seek for a lacking particular person.
Petrovitch’s skepticism was pointless and annoying, marring an in any other case excellent search arc.
Petrovitch: This cannot be this straightforward. Matson is extra cautious than this. He’ll flip off the cameras.
Upton: He does not have entry. Additionally, he is not a genius. He does not have all town’s cameras memorized.
No surprise Upton ignored her warnings in regards to the cellphone on the deserted constructing being a entice.
She did not do something all hour lengthy however inform everybody to not pursue leads in case they have been phony.
Stray Ideas
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There have been no actual cliffhangers except you rely Upton leaving. In that sense, it will have been higher to finish with Chicago PD Season 11 Episode 12 and let viewers fear all summer time about Voight’s destiny. -
I get time was of the essence, however why not name for backup as quickly as pictures have been fired in order that Upton did not find yourself going after Matson totally on her personal? -
The hospital scenes would have been a wonderful place for a Chicago Med crossover. Additionally, what insurance coverage covers hospital stays which might be merely inspired and never deemed medically mandatory?
Your flip, Chicago PD fanatics.
What did you consider this finale?
Hit the large, blue SHOW COMMENTS button and tell us.
Chicago PD Season 12 will air on NBC on Wednesdays at 10/9c within the fall of 2024. Season 11 is streaming on Peacock.
Jack Ori is a senior workers author for TV Fanatic. His debut younger grownup novel, Reinventing Hannah, is accessible on Amazon. Observe him on X.
