Why Chicago PD Killed Reid and What It Means for the Next Season

by

In the final episode of Chicago P.D.’s 12th season, the long-standing conflict between the Intelligence Unit and their adversary, Charlie Reid, reached its climax as Rennie Otero fatally shot him. However, the biggest shock came at the end when Voight’s budding romance, Chapman, found out he had authorized the killing. This revelation led to a confrontation between them, with their subsequent encounter promising significant consequences for the forthcoming season.

As a movie critic, I found myself intrigued by the dramatic turn of events in “Chicago P.D.” This season saw Reid, the mastermind behind the Intelligence Unit’s investigations, ordering an internal probe. The tension reached a boiling point when he was arrested, forcing Voight to take drastic actions to ensure his arch-nemesis would no longer be a threat.

However, the fate of Reid could have been vastly different, as the showrunner, Gwen Sigan, reveals. In an unexpected twist, she almost decided against writing off the primary antagonist, hinting at a possible change in the season’s direction.

Sigan Debated Keeping Reid Alive

It Was A Close Call

In a chat with ScreenRant, actress Sigan shared insights about the finale of Chicago P.D.’s season 12 and the tough choice to write off character Reid. She praised actor Shawn Hatosy for his compelling portrayal of the antagonist, but once Reid’s actions became beyond redemption, the writers decided it was necessary for him to leave the series. You can read the full interview here:

ScreenRant: In the story, Reid met his demise, yet Shawn Hatosy’s acting skills are remarkable. Didn’t it cross your mind at any point, “Perhaps we could have kept him with us instead?

Gwen Sigan: Indeed, it wasn’t in our initial plans to lighten his character or make him less gloomy. However, we reached a stage where we pondered, “Could we possibly spare him? We don’t wish to kill him off. How can we bring him back to life?

He makes an excellent counterpart for Voight, and he truly excels as an actor, demonstrating professionalism in every scene. We pondered over many possibilities, but none seemed quite right. It felt like this was the culmination of everything we’d been working towards. However, we did consider other options because we hold him in high regard as well.

It’s evident from her comments that Sigan seemed to have a well-thought-out strategy to involve Reid in future episodes, perhaps even as the main adversary for season 13. However, things didn’t go according to plan, and the creators decided it was best to write off the character, a move that now appears fitting for the storyline of the current season.

Additionally, Sigal delved into the potential consequences of Reid’s demise and Voight’s part in it on his connection with Chapman and their mutual trust, which could be affected as a result.

This revelation implies that their relationship has reached a critical point and trust between them has significantly diminished. It seems as though this situation resembles an ending or a break-up, but there might still be some unresolved issues worth exploring in the future. However, Voight is clearly drawing a line, expressing he is no longer capable of what Chapman had expected from him.

He implies, “I can’t have more,” but I believe what he truly means is, “I don’t know how to proceed further, and I doubt my ability to do so.” In that instant, Chapman perceives this, comprehends it deeply, as if a quiet conclusion of something that never fully developed or lived up to its potential. It was never able to reach the level she might have envisioned for it at some point.

The Choice To Kill Him Off Makes The Most Sense For The Show

Reid Had To Die For The Show To Move Forward

The decision to eliminate Reid stirred debate, yet it was crucial for the progression of the series. There’s no denying that he presented a formidable challenge for Hank, and among all villains in Chicago P.D., Reid stands out as the one who managed to dismantle the Intelligence Unit, an accomplishment unmatched by others. He was a persistent irritant for the team, continually causing trouble, and his actions had significant consequences for Voight and the rest of the unit.

Nevertheless, Reid served as a crucial figure in advancing the storyline, as his confrontation with Voight represented an unyielding force colliding with an immovable one. By this point in Chicago P.D., Hank has been operating with little restraint, effectively eliminating or threatening anyone who dared oppose him. Earlier seasons even saw attempts by Internal Affairs to bring down the corrupt head of IU through Gradigar and later Stillwell, but those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Reid’s success posed a significant challenge to Voight’s career and lifestyle, nearly toppling him. It’s acceptable for Hank and the Intelligence Unit to be at a standstill for a few episodes, but the storyline needs room to evolve naturally. Reid was an impediment to the kind of police work that only Hank and his team could perform, so he had to be eliminated for the show to progress.

Voight’s character has always been intriguing due to his unconventional heroic qualities, as he operates in a morally ambiguous manner that is crucial in the realm he navigates. As Perry states in season 1, “There are approximately 600 reasons I didn’t want you leading this unit, but there’s one primary reason why I did… cases like these.” Essentially, Voight may be a morally questionable cop, but he plays an indispensable role within the universe of Chicago P.D., and Reid was indeed obstructing this function.

What This Means For Chicago PD‘s Next Season

Voight’s Choice Will Have A Lasting Impact On Those Close To Him

As Chicago P.D. enters its thirteenth season, the series finds itself in a captivating position. It’s been suggested that the show didn’t fully leverage the potential of the character, Reid, and he could have evolved into a more powerful antagonist in future seasons, given his power and influence. Nevertheless, Chicago P.D.’s strength lies in the internal conflicts within Intelligence Unit (IU) and when Voight clashes with those around him, which is an aspect that Reid’s demise will likely reinforce next season, bringing a full circle to these character dynamics.

According to Sigan, it can be observed that Reid is not a character who can be considered morally redeemable, and while there may be debates about Voight sharing this quality, the show’s scope didn’t allow for both of them to coexist effectively. In a sense, Hank in Chicago P.D. often straddles the line between being a hero and a villain due to his rule-breaking tendencies. The upcoming season of the series is expected to portray Hank grappling with the aftermath of Reid’s death by trying to conceal his part in it, as well as managing the repercussions from his intense confrontation with Chapman.

Even though the Intelligence Unit might regain its dominant position again, there are still lingering issues such as Reid’s internal investigation, Voight’s rocky dynamics with his team, and the matter of Otero. Furthermore, Reid’s exit will create a void that needs to be addressed, and this vacancy could potentially transform Chapman into the antagonist for Chicago P.D. season 13 if she were to oppose Hank.

Do you like ScreenRant’s prime-time programming updates? Click the button to subscribe to my weekly Network TV newsletter. By selecting ‘Network TV’ in your preferences, you’ll receive exclusive behind-the-scenes information from actors and show creators about your favorite shows.

Read More

2025-06-02 20:29