I was wondering how the Chicago PD was going to address the Black Lives Matter movement. They couldn’t exactly write stories the same as usual with what’s happening.
Apparently this was always the plan, even before the movement became from and center this year. And they are handling it beautifully. While still keeping the Chicago PD tone.
We left off last season with Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) making a stand. He wasn’t going to sit back and let police hurt the black community. He told the truth, but unfortunately, the cop who got himself killed because he went in with no cause is from a family of cops. Now he has so many Chicago cops coming after him.
They first tried to set him up by planting drugs in his car, but Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) helped Atwater find it. He was then pulled over for “not stopping at a stop sign,” he did, though. And the two patrolmen pulled guns on him after he told them he was going for his badge. It was ridiculous, but it got even more intense when the black cop said he got an anonymous tip that drugs were being sold out of that car.
Then, when they couldn’t set him up, they beat him up. Multiple men jumped him.
It was an intense episode for Atwater. I’m terrified for him. And also tired of stupid cops like this. They are abusing their power. They are not gods. They can’t just kill someone with no cause and get away with him. This guy would be alive right now if it weren’t for his racism that got him into the situation.
This is such a good story to be telling. Someone needs to take a stand so that things can change. Otherwise, it’s business as usual.
Atwater’s decision has come with other consequences. Chicago doesn’t trust the police. With good reason. I hated seeing Ruzek get a bottle thrown at him, but the police will have to rebuild the trust with the community.
Another issue Chicago PD dropped in the premiere episode was Knock-and-announce and no-knock warrants. All their evidence was lost because they didn’t announce themselves. Though they were made, so shouldn’t they be able to go in? But it’s a new day, and the rules matter.
And this is really getting to Hank Voight (Jason Beghe). He can’t do “whatever it” take to get the criminal this time. And it’s making it tougher for him to get his man. This time, a man shot a little girl, who fought throughout the episode for her life but died at the end.
It’s heartbreaking that they couldn’t convict the guy, but it’s great that Chicago PD is telling this story. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Cleaning up the police force won’t be pretty, it won’t be easier, and a lot of it will probably not be fun. But it’s important. I’m glad they are tackling it.
And it allows for so much character development too. These are serious issues, and the actors will have to delve into those emotions to really tell the story right. I’m looking forward to an amazing season.
What did you think of the premiere of Chicago PD? Tweet me @MandyTTCarr or comment below.
