Chicago P.D. Season 12, Episode 3 ‘Off Switch‘ continues the upward swing for the show, with every member of what’s left of the team coming together to investigate a case and Kevin getting a love interest (at last!), one that is introduced in a scene straight out of a rom-com — one that allows LaRoyce Hawkins a chance to showcase a different side of the character he’s played for over a decade.
Kevin episodes are always a high point for the show, but it’s particularly refreshing to see a Kevin episode not be about the same thing Kevin episodes often are — race. Instead, Chicago P.D. Season 12, Episode 3 ‘Off Switch’ is an exploration of who Kevin is, who he could be, and what he’s missing in his life.
MORE: Here’s our review of Chicago P.D. Season 12, Episode 1! And here’s our review of Chicago P.D. Season 12, Episode 2!
we all need a partner
Kevin Atwater has been many things for many people all his life, but above all, he’s always been the protector. He’s always been the one who knows better, the one who fixes things. The one who’s go, go, go. The one who can’t stop, won’t stop. That’s part of why Kevin enjoys his job. He gets to do just that. And he’s had equals in his life, he has — especially at work. But Val is one of the few people who, from the beginning, can push back when she feels he is wrong and yet, he has a genuine spark with.
And sure, things don’t go as smoothly as he would have hoped in this hour. It gets rocky for a minute there. They clash — a lot. But at the end of the day, it’s hard to deny that there’s more possibility there than we’ve seen for Kevin in well …perhaps since Vanessa Rojas. And it’s also hard to deny that Val Soto feels like a more interesting character than any of the other love interests they’ve introduced for Kevin in seasons. And yes, they jump into this thing fast. But with her job, it’s easy to see how Val Soto could be more than just a character we see once. And hey, it’s about time Kevin Atwater had a partner outside of work, isn’t it?
MORE: What did we want from Chicago P.D. Season 12 and how are we doing on the scoreboard?
Kim Burgess how we missed you
Kim Burgess is back and her return couldn’t have come a moment too soon. Sadly, since this episode is about Kevin and this show has never heard of the word continuity, we don’t get any sort of acknowledgement of what the team just went through 0.2 seconds ago, you know, when Adam’s partner was literally shot in the head, not even when Adam and Kim get shot at in a situation that could have triggered some memories from him. Nah, instead, he’ll only get to feel things the next time it’s his episode or something. Chicago P.D. takes turns with feelings!
But back to Kim, at least she’s back because the show feels lighter with her around. Maybe it’s that with her the team dynamics feel so much more settled, or that she is just the kind of character who brings a particular aura of her own. Either way, Chicago P.D. is always better with her around. Even if she doesn’t get to do too much. She doesn’t get to be there for Adam, who should be rightfully still struggling. She doesn’t get to tease Kevin about his crush. She’s just there, in the background. And somehow, that’s still much better than her not being there!
Things I think I think:
- Yes Kevin, you absolutely should have asked for her number.
- You’re back and you went straight back to work, Kim?
- There was quite a spark between Val and Kev the first time they saw each other after that first scene.
- Look, I appreciate Torres pulling Kev back. Someone had to.
- Yes, you do owe her an apology.
- “I forgave you as it was happening.”
- I LOVE HER.
- “I have a proposition.”
- No, really, I love her.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Chicago P.D. Season 12, Episode 3 ‘Off Switch’? Share with us in the comments below!
Chicago P.D. airs on Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.
