Chicago P.D. 10×07 “Into the Deep” is an unsettling hour of TV, and to its credit, that’s exactly what it’s trying to be. It’s upsetting for a couple of reasons — first, because the subject matter, and worse, the casualness of it all, makes us think about the reality many women and young girls live through. That’s the good discomfort, or at least, warranted one. If the show is trying to make us hyper aware of this reality, then we’ll take it. Because it’s better to be uncomfortable than ignorant.
But the episode is also bewildering in the way it treats Hailey Upton, or the avenues it allows her to be vulnerable in. Of course, nothing that happens in Chicago P.D. 10×07 “Into the Deep” is truly out of character, Hailey isn’t the sharing type and she would indeed, have trouble with Jay’s departure — particularly considering the show had indeed written her as someone who hadn’t truly deal with her issues, but found a a partner to help her shoulder the load. Her issues still have to be dealt with.
If anything, the hour is strange because the reason we’re here, dealing with Hailey’s pain and trauma in the way we are is that ..Jay Halstead, the guy who promised never to leave her, did just that. In fact, made the decision to, and then apparently cut off contact with her, even after he promised that he was doing this for them, and they were still gonna come out of this in one piece. And it’s so horribly out of character, so much drama for the sake of drama, so much just looking for another reason to make a female character miserable that it’s hard to watch.
We’ve been here before. With Hailey. With Kim. And we likely will be again, because it seems like it’s our lot in life, or theirs. And we get it, a procedural needs drama …but might we suggest the Chicago P.D. writers check out any of the NCIS franchise shows. There are other ways to do drama, and we promise, people will still tune in.
As for Jay — sure, he could just be in the middle of a dangerous op and restricting contact because of that (I won’t even consider the fact that Chicago P.D. thinks phones don’t work in …*checks notes* Bolivia), and that’s what I want to believe because that’s what makes the most sense for Jay’s character, for the writing this show has done with Upstead from the beginning. But the benefit of the doubt isn’t something the show has earned right about now — especially when everything about Upstead’s arc since Jay’s departure has been writeen to be as DRAMATIC as possible
There are bright moments in the hour, Hailey confiding in Kim, Adam and Hailey …but it feels like too little, too late, for a show that lately, seems to be relying on trauma and Hank Voight. Because we promise, if the Chief and Voight are going to go head to head, we’re really gonna be rooting for no one. Take one, take them both, we really couldn’t care lesss. Just make sure the fallout doesn’t hurt the team.
Chicago P.D. 10×07 “Into the Deep” is an unsettling hour, but it’s also a great one for Tracy Spiridakos, who has proven time and time again that she is an actress who can elevate a show, and if needed, carry it. She isn’t the only one this show has, either. Chicago P.D. is lucky in that regard. But as much as Spiridakos can pierce our soul with one look, as adept as she is at conveying emotions without words — as much as her Hailey Upton, at times, makes us feel both rage and tenderness unmatched, I really wish she got to do something more than be this broken woman all the time. I want more for her, acting-wise. I want more for Hailey Upton. And I want more for sus, the viewers who’ve stuck around this long. I just don’t knokw that I’m going to get it.
Things I think I think:
- When was the last time Hailey got some decent sleep and a warm meal? Wait, don’t answer that.
- I really do appreciate how quick the team was to be like, ok, here are my theories.
- A LOLITA REFERENCE? How obvious can this guy be?
- All I wanted was this …more of Hailey and Kim. Really, all I wanted. For years and years. Asking. This. The two of them talking about something other than their relationships. A friendship.
- Everything about this case is disgusting.
- Blame Adam? Hell no. I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did.
- “You want to save something too badly right now”
- CAN’T GET A HOLD OF HIM? So she’s not even talking to Jay? Sure, very in character all of this.
- This better be a lie for Sean’s benefit.
- Me, the entire time Hailey is going off book: Hailey, no.
- Yeah, the moment with Adam was good too.
- The missing her husband part is true.
- I mean, I would have been shocked if this case had ended here, of course, but …this is still frustrating.
- Not-Red-John Chief vs. Voight? I’m rooting for …no one!
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago P.D. 10×07 “Into the Deep”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago P.D. airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.
