‘Chicago PD’ Boss on Atwater’s ‘Serious Challenge’ & Upton and Halstead in Season 8
Finale
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Season 7 finale of Chicago P.D., “Silence of the Night.”]
Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) had to work with Doyle in the Chicago P.D. Season 7 finale (which came earlier than planned), but the real trouble came after they’d made a significant bust — and two men, including Doyle, ended up dead. That left the Intelligence officer with a major decision to make.
“There was no probable cause,” Atwater confided in Voight (Jason Beghe). “Doyle saw a black man walking down the street and started profiling. … He wasn’t doing anything suspicious. He was just a black man in a bad neighborhood holding a duffel bag and Doyle started following him.” It turns out that man wasn’t even part of a gang; he’d just been bringing a pair of shoes to his cousin.
Atwater had to tell the truth, and after he did, Voight and Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) assured him that they, and the rest of Intelligence, had his back. But as the finale ended, Doyle’s friends paid Atwater a visit on his street — in their police vehicles.
Here, showrunner Rick Eid reveals just how worried we should be about Atwater and discusses Intelligence’s relationships.
Atwater makes the right decision despite knowing the potential consequences he’d face. How worried should he be about Doyle’s friends and family? Can Voight and Intelligence have his back or might they be in a situation where there’s only so much they can do?
Rick Eid: Atwater should definitely be worried. Doyle’s friends and family are taking this very seriously. They’re also well-connected in CPD and the Mayor’s Office. So, this crew will present a serious challenge to Atwater … and Intelligence.
(Matt Dinerstein/NBC)
Voight shipped Upton off to the FBI in New York, and we saw her briefly there in the finale. Will she return sooner than she would have with production shutting down early? How will her time with the FBI change her when she returns to Chicago?
Upton was scheduled to return to CPD for Episodes 21 through 23, but the premature shutdown obviously changed all that. As for how much her FBI experience changed her … We might have to rethink all that since she ended up only working on one case with the FBI. Our original plan was to see a significant change in Hailey, but I’m not sure that makes sense anymore in light of recent events.
Burgess and Ruzek have struggled to get back on track after beginning to plan to be a family (albeit not together romantically) and then losing the baby. What did you want to do with their relationship in these last episodes and what comes next?
We were hoping to see their relationship continue to evolve in a positive way. These two will always be close friends. No matter what. There’s also a chance they might reunite romantically at some point in the future. Whether that would happen in Season 8 or not is still unclear.
What did you want to do with Upton and Halstead’s relationship this season and what are your plans — romantic or platonic — moving forward?
The Upton/Halstead relationship is simmering. We were hoping to bring it to a boil at the end of the season. But, obviously, that won’t happen now. As for Season 8, we’ll see what feels organic and credible, but I’m pretty sure we’ll see these two open up about their true feelings for one another. Question is: Will they act on it? Will they risk jeopardizing their fantastic working relationship to pursue a romantic relationship?
Something that has remained constant is how protective Voight is of his people; we see it in this episode with Atwater.
Voight is the patriarch of the family. He’ll do whatever he can to protect his people. He’s not political, he’s not ambitious, he’s not overly introspective. He cares about the City of Chicago and Intelligence. And he’ll protect both with passion — and vengeance — ’til the day he dies.
(Matt Dinerstein/NBC)
We’ve seen the past come back in various ways this season, from Darius and Upton’s CI (and then Upton’s move against Darius) to even just seeing Roman return. Are there any storylines we might see revisited next season?
It’s always possible. We don’t have anything specific planned right now, but there’s a good chance we will once again pluck an interesting character or storyline from the past.
Is the plan to keep Intelligence pretty much the same next season, or might we see some shake-ups or new faces joining the unit?
It’s possible we might some sort of shakeup, but I don’t anticipate any major changes.
What can you share about storylines that weren’t produced — like the original plan for the finale — and how they might play out next season?
Luckily, the episodes we’d been working on prior to the shutdown will be usable next season. We had a totally different finale in mind, obviously, but we’ll probably be able to film that early next season. The season now ends with Atwater in a serious predicament, so we will need to pick up next season with that storyline in mind.
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They got rid of Erin, Antonio, and Alvin!! Stop or your gonna end up losing watchers!
Upton leaving is a WOO HOO in my book!
Don't lose Atwater, or I don't know if my family will continue to watch, and I know, "Who Cares" but I'm sure we are not the only ones.
Chicago MED, FIRE,PD EVERYTHING FAN, FROM MICHIGAN!!
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If they bring anyone back, I think it should be Olinsky's daughter. She could come up as a rookie cop (she's about that age by now), and you'd get to see how the precinct watches over her in different ways.
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Atwater is a strong candidate on this popular show. Please keep him
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Yes I agree. I love him. And he’s a great actor. If they kill him off I’ll surely stop watching!!!!😡
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I think they ought to be bring Lindsay back stationed in Chicago with the fbi.
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don't ever bring her back, she is so mealy mouthed you can't understand a word she says. Use someone who speaks clearly.
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i would like to see Antonio back ! I really liked him! & Atwater & Voight Stay!!! Please Dont take Anyone Else Off!!!
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Please don't write off atwater or upton hell dont right off none of the cast
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Must keep Hank. He is the show and great actor. Miss Arin And Hailey. Like to see Atwater get promotion and bigger role. He deserves it. Liked the comment about bringing Al’s daughter in as a rookie and see her grow. How about developing a character that is Al’s twin brother who retired from the FBI or secret service????
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I'm hoping it's not Voight that leaves show. Gut feeling.🙄 If it is Hank shows over in my opinion. Upton can stay gone and take Halstead with her. Miss Alvin. He was and still is my favorite.😢
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Yes. And everyone has had a love interest except Atwater, he's young and attractive. Give him a lady friend too!
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I think Erin should return
10 3
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never bring her back
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Atwater is the sexiest man on the show!!! He is sizzling!!! Give him a partner already.. we already know that he is a lion body with a cat heart.. let see his romantic side. Build him a family...
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Bring Erin Lindsay back. There was good camaraderie between Jay and Erin. They were professional and still had a personal life. Also, miss Antonio. Leave Hailey away wherever.
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He has another daughter. Do you even watch the show?
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Please Please
My Family Loves Chicago PD.
Avid watcher since day one. Kudos to writers and actors. My biggest disappointments Erin and Antonio leaving. Killing off Alvin.Now Maybe Atwater leaving or being Killed off.Please brings back Erin and Antonio. Alvin returns from witness protection. Atwater, alive and well.
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I ONLY Liked this because I miss Al and Antonio
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they should bring her back, kill her, then Voight goes out for revenge and can't beet this gang/person and dies. I have a gut feeling that it will be Vioght how dies.
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When Olinsky left the show, my heart broke, I literally shed a tear. When Antonio left, Same effect - if Atwater Or Voight leaves - I’m DONE watching the show. Jay & Ruzeck are cool - You Should Bring Erin Back - But - Burgess Can DEFINITELY GO, Upton DEFINITELY Can Go too. The new girl The Who joined in S7 - she’s cool so far, she should stay.
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Please don't make Upton and Jay Halstead a couple!! Upton leaving and going to FBI is a good thing as Hank said If you want to date a cop go outside your district.
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Upton is AMAZINGthey can't bring back Al, he is diedErin can stay gone
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Erin can stay goneYes bring back AntonioAl is dead not in witness protection
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I feel like that would be good for the unit because it would be like having a part of Al with them, but that could could also cause themto be more protective of her, wich could cause som problums.
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Olinkskys daughter died in the big warehouse fire people, pay attention
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Lol, Olinsky has two daughters. One’s deceased and the other one hasn’t been mentioned in a few seasons
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No Lindsay left everyone and didn't look back.
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Get a lover for the sarg ! A long lost kid grand son something Spice it up !!
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Yesssa!!
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They should bring Roman back, more interesting beeing Adam is always jeaulous about him
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Love Chicago PD cast, especially Hank Voight he gets the job done alone with his Intelligence team. Looking forward to the new season. Miss Erin, Olinsky and Antonio, they all made a great team working together. Hoping Burgess and Ruzek can get back together they made a good couple. Praying everyone stays, they all make a great team together.😍😍😍😍😍
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I think they should leave Upton in the FBI in New York. I didn't like her sleeping with Jay and Adam. was always making bad calls they mess up the cases and throwing her position in
people face. Kim is a great cop like Erin, so when Erin left Kim was a great fit not like Upton. I would like for Voight to have a short love interest without the team and the commanders finding out. I also wish they would stop using Voight then always trying to fire him, but when
Chicago has a killing spree or one of the commanders families are in trouble who do they go to? Voight loves Chicago and I wish my state had a Voight instead when have a Doyle. I love Chicago P.D. and I watch the reruns over and over. When do the new show start? I want to
know who kill the new mayor I know they want us to believe it was Voight but I don't believe
it was him.
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actresss fr Erin was booted by show because of her ego and how much $$$ she thought she was worth over the others!
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She left because she said it was too difficult to work with Jason. I miss their relationship but not her!!!
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No Adam is not jealus. They all ready did bring him back. Then he left agian.
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I miss Al too. I hope it isnot vioght but he just makes the most sence. I know what you are thinking, No Kev makes more sence to kill off. But 1. alot of peaple don't like Hank 2.Voight told jay that jay need to watch out for the team
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Illinois, bogart, gheese
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Please get rid of Upton, too bad Al is dead I want him back too. I would like Antonio back!
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I don't like Upton she sneaky and evil...I wish they would bring Al and erin back if they get rid of Atwater I will stop watching it..
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Why did the Alderman go to prison?
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his wife shot Blair William's and Rev so he confessed so his wife could stay free
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Avoid should run his save as he always has his team need to get with the program and know that he's not dirty but he is a good man sometimes it takes you to do things with people that might not be legal but it's the best thing to do in their situation so stop questioning what what are you doing it says unit he do not have to report to them Halsted and although he don't owe them no explanations just do what he asked he got the back they should not have to worry but I think Edward is going undercover and I don't think you should I hope you're not to give Voight cuz Voight got out a lot of stuff
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Olinskys daughter died in a warehouse fire. Do you even watch the show?
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