Chicago P.D. 10×12 “I Can Let You Go” is one of those episodes that doesn’t truly seem worth it. It’s a disturbing episode, focusing on Sean, a disturbing character, and a little bit on Hailey Upton. But is there enough of a focus on Hailey, on what she’s going through, to warrant the focus on a man like Sean O’Neill and on another woman being in danger? The answer is probably no, which is one of the problems with this show lately.
Procedurals are what they are, but we have never watched them because we care all that much about the cases. We watch them because we care about the characters, about their relationships. This means it’s getting difficult for us to justify a show that hasn’t given us any ship content — no, Upstead pictures do not count — in a while, and that isn’t even consistent when it comes to character-centric episodes.
Even when it is, though, it feels like all Chicago P.D. can do is trauma porn. And sure, it works every once in a while, because the truth is this show has an outstanding cast. When you have this cast, you can sell some of the pain. But even that gets repetitive. We’re in Season 10. There has to be more. There has to be some happiness, some growth, or some friendship at the very least. And we’re not talking crumbs, we’re talking the real thing.
I’d take a conversation between Kim and Hailey over every second of Sean O’Neill. I’d take some real talk about what’s going on with Upstead, and how Hailey is doing, over more cases where women are attacked. I’ll take some Burzek romance over these characters only talking to each other about the case of the week. Anything is better than just hurting a different character every week and calling it a day.
The Upstead thing feels particularly egregious in this episode because it calls back to how little sense it made for Jay to leave the way he did. Let’s say the plot is solid, let’s say he needed time …then why isn’t he communicating with his wife, you know, the one he promised they were solid to? The one he kissed goodbye like she was the most important thing in life. The one wowed to love, honor and cherish every day of his life. How does that compute?
Simply, it doesn’t, but if Jay were communicating, then what would be Hailey’s pain? Just missing him? Nah, she’s gotta be damaged! Because that means Tracy Spiridakos can break our hearts weekly. And Jay cannot actually come back, for …reasons. And science.
There was really no way to write out Jay Halstead that made sense for Hailey Upton — or that made sense for what the show had been building for ten years. That means that, no matter what happened behind the scenes, or why we ended up here, there really wasn’t any way to truly do this right. But there were plenty of ways to do it better, that’s for sure. There were ways to respect fans that invested years of their lives on these characters, on this couple. This show hasn’t done that, and it honestly feels like they never had any intention of doing so.
What they want is for us to be happy to watch the Hank Voight show. To cheer for their edgy, borderline dark show about a morally-grey cop in Chicago who “gets things done” no matter what. Except that wasn’t ever why most of us stuck around, and if the hope is keeping some people around, well …that hope is fading fast.
Things I think I think:
- How can Hailey still afford the mortgage on that apartment? Is Jay sending her some money?
- Why would anyone tell someone like Sean anything? Why?
- Hailey’s first call being Voight these days physically hurts me.
- Adam checking in on Hailey was A+. Sean is creepy AF.
- Like, they let Jay go and thought, “oh yes, let’s bring in as a recurring character the creepiest dude ever.” That tracks.
- Someone save me from the Voight show, please.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago P.D. 10×12 “I Can Let You Go”? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago P.D. airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.
I share in your frustrations. To me, Season 9 was a great season. This one has been disappointing to say the least. I never wanted to see Sean again. It seems like they are doing a watered down version of Greg Yates and this is a case where the copy (Sean) is no where near as good as the original (Yates). I hope that this is the last we see of Sean, but I fear that it won’t be.
I am not someone who watches for the ships, but I really liked Upstead and what they have done here is terrible. They have taken everything that we have liked about Jay and destroyed it. The way they have him treating Hailey is contrary to everything we saw in the first nine seasons. I know he is off the series, but having him communicate with Hailey and seeing her side of the conversation would be better than this. They could have had him appear in 1 episode early in season 11 and he could have a job in the army or back as a cop in another unit in Chicago. That would be better than this. Chicago Fire proves you can have an off screen marriage as Donna has not appeared since season 9. I would have preferred that Jay sacrificed himself to save the unit and his wife instead of this. If they kill him off in Bolivia, I’d consider it a complete waste.
I used to like the show! But lately storylines aren’t any good or dragged out to what avail? I end up turning it off lately! The cast is Great! But you need something to keep our interest??
Still love this show! Best cast ever. I agree the way they wrote out Halstead was embarrassingly bad. No respect for the character or the actor. But Tracy S carries the pain so well. Great actress. This show has great writers an we look forward to every story every week. Also, I will agree to disagree. Voight is a rockstar.
100% agree. i can’t even watch it anymore
You are right about “trauma porn”! They need to get back to what they do best- the relationships between the cops. Hate Sean, adds nothing. Furious about the treatment of Jay. Used to be my favorite show. Sigh……….
Totally agree with this view and the other comments. Sean is the creepiest character that has been on this show! Close out Upstead in a way that makes sense or even better… bring back Jay!
I disagree about watching it solely for the ‘ships. I like the gritty stories. These stories are what keep me riveted to the television during this hour every week. I can’t stand Upstead. Never liked Upton so I can do without episodes focused on her & her drama/trauma. I don’t care if it makes sense. It’s television. I know real police don’t operate like this.
Wow. Someone who understands why Blue-bloods for example is one of the best shows on TV. Character, not these depressing stories every week. Chicago PD and Blue-Bloods was 1 and 2 for me depending on the week several seasons ago for Chicago PD but this is the worst and I come back this past week after skipping since Halstead left the show. The show is lost and basically gone and if Chicago Med roles the other Halstead off I would be done would that also. I’m sorry but every show must have a base to tell the stories and this one is gone. Fire is barely hanging on after Casey left. If you bring in solid replacements and depart properly it could work I guess but the writers have really gotten lazy the last few years and unfortunately you can’t let stars who make the show like Jesse Spenser. Mr.Wolf does this to my FBI shows I will be done with TV.
I have watched Chicago PD since the beginning, truly love the characters in the roles they play. Yes it’s not good the Jay does not communicate with Halley, He left to fight a war with his unit, having time to talk on the phone could be difficult. I believe Jay will be back he was to be gone fore 5 mths. It’s still one of the best shows on TV, I watch the old ones on ION TV.
I haven’t watched Chicsgo PD for a few weeks now. Voight is annoying and the show just bores me. I really like the other Chicago shows, but change stations when PD com3s on.
This last episode with Hailey and Sean made no sense in the grand scheme of things. The whole thing with Jay leaving the way he did was a guy punch. I’m sure the writers could have come up with another scenario for his exit since they knew ahead of time.as far as I’m concerned I don’t understand why they don’t integrate more humanity into the characters and ease up on the darkness.