NBC's popular Chicago Franchise has blown up in the last couple of years, bringing Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, and soon Chicago Law to TV screens everywhere. This past week Chicago PD aired its Season 3 finale with an emotional episode that saw the exit of several characters that have been important to the series in the past.
The promo video for the episode that aired the previous week teased that it was going to be a difficult episode to watch and it was not lying. The final episode of the season started off on a happy note though. The Voight family along with Detective Erin Lindsay, played by One Tree Hill alum Sophia Bush, celebrating Daniel Voight's first birthday. Hank, Justin his wife, Olive and Erin all sat around Daniel and his cake in the opening scene of the show. Singing, laughing, and the exchange of sentimental presents occurred. It was a rare moment of calm and happiness that is usually reserved for the Jay Halstead and Erin romance or the father/ daughter scenes between Voight and Lindsay.
The family time is interrupted by a text Voight receives alerting him of a developing case. The Intellegence Unit uncovers a woman brutally between and bound with barbed wire in the trunk of a car. Their investigation reveals that Voight's son, Justin, was friendly with the victim. In fact, they had met up during a secret visit Justin made to Chicago a few weeks before. This is a huge disappointment to the sergeant, following the progress Justin has made as a person over the course of three seasons.
Later on, Erin and Voight discover Justin in the trunk of his own car in a similar condition to the other victim, only he has a pulse. He later dies at Chicago Med, fueling Lindsay's emotional distress and Voight's need for revenge, whether that be legally or not. His son's death makes Voight determined now more than ever to find the person responsible for both murders.
Fans see the return of the old Voight that we were merely given tidbits of during the early seasons of Chicago Fire. In the closing scenes of the show, we watch as he misleads the Unit as to where the killer is, only to get himself alone with the man. Erin quickly catches on to his plan, but even his kind-of daughter who has often been successful in talking him out of his rage, cannot stop the violence that takes place.
The end of the episode not only brought tears from both Voight and Erin over the loss of their loved one, but we see Erin sobbing over the loss of Voight's progress as a person.
The season 3 finale opened many doors for a very interesting 4th season. Voight and Erin, as well as Olive and Daniel will be dealing with Justin's death. On top of that, the Intelligence Unit are going to struggle with what occurs when Voight reverts to his old ways. Burgess is in need of a new partner. She will also be coping with Sean Roman's departure in the romantic aspect of her life. Does this mean that Ruczek can make a return with that ring? Antonio Dawson was also offered Voight's job, we just might see a Sargeant Dawson in season 4 if Voight goes down a dark path.
On a lighter note, the last few episodes of the show opened up the story line for Jay and Erin's cohabitation. The audience will see what moving in together does to their relationship.
Season 4 will definitely be interesting. Fans of the show will be waiting not-so-patiently for the premiere in the fall.
