The *Chicago P.D.* season 12 finale left viewers reeling, with Sergeant Hank Voight and his team facing their ultimate test. The episode concluded with the shocking death of Deputy Chief Charlie Reid, leaving many questions unanswered and setting the stage for a dramatic season 13.
Voight’s conflict with Reid reached a boiling point after Reid disbanded the Intelligence Unit and unjustly imprisoned Dante Torres. With his team against the wall, Voight took matters into his own hands, culminating in Reid’s death at the hands of Reinerio Otero, son of a drug dealer Voight had previously dealt with. Reid’s dying words hinted at Voight’s orchestration of his demise, painting a picture of Voight’s morally ambiguous methods.
While Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek finally tied the knot, adding a touch of sweetness amidst the chaos, the future of the Intelligence Unit remains uncertain. Showrunner Gwen Sigan teased a ‘different dynamic’ for the team in season 13, leaving fans to wonder about the fallout from Reid’s death and Voight’s actions.
One of the biggest questions revolves around Reid’s death itself. Sigan confirmed that his death wasn’t a necessity, but a deliberate choice by the writers to test Voight’s boundaries and demonstrate the lengths to which he’ll go to protect his team. The writers wanted to explore Voight’s capacity for darkness and his willingness to cross lines to achieve his goals.
The relationship between Voight and ASA Nina Chapman, which hinted at a possible romance, also hangs in the balance. Chapman discovered Voight’s manipulation of Reinerio to eliminate Reid, shattering the trust between them. While Sigan assures us that Chapman won’t abandon Voight, their dynamic will undeniably shift, creating intriguing possibilities for future episodes.
The team’s reaction to Reid’s death and Voight’s explanation is another key element for season 13. While Burgess and Ruzek expressed subtle doubt about the neatly wrapped-up confession, there’s little concrete evidence to contradict Voight’s version of events. Sigan hints that this lingering suspicion could be a significant plot point moving forward.
Finally, the newly married Burgess and Ruzek will likely see their relationship explored in a new light. With newfound stability at home, the show will examine how their married life impacts their work lives and the challenges they face as a team.
The *Chicago P.D.* season 12 finale leaves a trail of unanswered questions and unresolved tensions, promising a season 13 filled with suspense, intrigue, and the ever-present moral complexities of Sergeant Hank Voight.
