After Chicago P.D. Shut Down The Intelligence Unit, The EP’s Comments On Voight’s ‘Mortality’ Raise Big Questions For The Season 12 Finale

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In the spring 2025 TV lineup, only one episode remains for Chicago P.D.‘s Season 12, and as usual, the second-last episode has set up a finale where something significant will shift. The Deputy Chief followed through on his threats, arresting Torres, stripping Burgess of her new detective badge, and disbanding the Intelligence Unit while an investigation takes place due to Reid’s questionable dealings. Voight, however, won’t let the dissolution of his unit go unchallenged, and executive producer/showrunner Gwen Sigan hinted at how he’ll respond in the finale.

In my opinion, Chicago’s long-running crime drama never fails to deliver nail-biting penultimate episodes, and the most recent one, available now with a Peacock subscription, has placed Voight’s team squarely in the thick of things due to his feud against Reid. The season finale, titled “Vows,” airs on May 21, but don’t let the title fool you – it’s not just about something as lovely as the Burzek wedding. As the team takes unconventional steps to bring down Reid, Burgess and Ruzek grapple with postponing their wedding plans. It looks like Reid’s so-called “friendship” isn’t all it seems!

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I recently had the opportunity to engage in conversation with the creative mind behind the series. Naturally, my curiosity led me to inquire about one particular character: Voight. Specifically, I wanted to know if there’s a point where his interactions with Reid might push him back into some of his old problematic behaviors. Gwen Sigan graciously provided an insightful response.

The central query at the heart of the finale, as I see it, is whether he has reached his limit or continued to evolve. Is he transforming into a new version of Voight, a softer Voight perhaps, influenced by Chapman and contemplating mortality differently following Season 11 events? This season began with exploring this question: is there more for him? The finale will return to this theme, addressing whether there’s still room for growth in his character.

It’s clear that Voight has been contemplating the extent of his transformation, and this year, the showrunner praised Jason Beghe and Shawn Hatosy for their on-screen chemistry with him. Additionally, the term “Voight’s mortality” piques my interest. While it doesn’t necessarily imply that Voight will meet a tragic end like Olinsky, it does recall the scene where he was shot in Tracy Spiridakos’ last episode and had a brief encounter with Olinsky, thanks to a cameo by Elias Koteas.

If there’s more to him than he initially believed, then he’s not the person he thought he was, isn’t that so? By the finale, it becomes clear that he and Reid are at odds, with Reid challenging this newfound side of him. The question remains: where will his journey ultimately take him?

In our conversation, I expressed my surprise at enjoying Chapman and Voight together in Season 12 as much as I do. The showrunner then clarified that the ASA will serve as a significant ally to him following his actions at the end of last week’s near-final episode, which effectively closed the door on their relationship.

In the final scene, it’s clear that she won’t let him distance himself from her, which I find fantastic. To me, she makes an excellent partner for him because she challenges him, never letting him off the hook. She’s fearless in the face of him. She’s never been intimidated by him. Instead, she views him as mostly bluff. She accepts him for who he is and more than that, I believe she cares deeply about him. She’s curious about him. She wants to comprehend the reasons behind his decisions, and she’s eager to help him grow.

The EP went on:

We’ll observe her attempt to prevent him from using his habitual “I’ll handle everything alone, without involving others, for everyone’s protection” strategy. What we’ll really be watching is if she can maintain a hold on him and keep him from slipping into the shadows as he resists Reid.

Examine the promotion, and form an opinion on whether Voight will manage to resist his past negative behaviors or strive to maintain his improved self.

On Wednesday, May 21st at 10 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), the Season 12 finale of Chicago P.D. will be aired on NBC. This airing follows the Season 13 finale of Chicago Fire, which features two characters leaving the show, at 9 p.m. ET. Prior to that, at 8 p.m. ET, you can catch the Season 10 finale of Chicago Med, known for a remarkable performance. All three shows can also be streamed on Peacock.

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2025-05-21 07:08