New Year’s Resolutions: Chicago PD needs to focus on other characters
Chicago PD has a habit of focusing on the same characters over and over again. It’s time to change the narrative and bring life to others.
Shortly after the One Chicago crossover, I brought up a problem withing Chicago PD. It’s an ongoing problem for the series and doesn’t look to be changing any time soon. And so, it’s not all that surprising the series has landed on the list of New Year’s Resolutions.
For those just tuning in, throughout January, we’re looking at various TV crime dramas. The idea is to look at one thing that the shows can change to make them better, to make sure they continue.
The show: Chicago PD
The resolution: Focus on characters that are often forgotten about
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Why it needs to be made: After the One Chicago crossover, my husband asked me about one character: Atwater. He had no idea who the character was. Now, that’s mostly because he doesn’t watch Chicago PD, but it also shows a major flaw with the One Chicago crossovers and the writing of Chicago PD in general.
He knew other characters, not necessarily by name but at least by face. There were those he’d seen in other crossovers, used to seeing them being a major part of the storyline. Or he’d seen them pop up in an episode of Chicago Fire or Chicago Med he sometimes watches with me.
That’s not the case with Atwater. It’s also becoming a problem for Rojas now that she’s started to integrate with the team. The two are only part of the story when it suits a bigger narrative. Atwater, especially, is used for the storylines focused on black cops or the minorities in Chicago.
While these storylines are certainly important, the development of Atwater and other characters is also important. They need to do more with the team, be more integral parts of the show, outside of these minority-focused storylines.
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Right now, the storylines have been heavily focused on Burgess, Upton, or Halstead. And it looks like that’s the way it will remain for a while.
The problem is Atwater, Rojas, and others that the show decides to bring in need full development. They need to offer something unique to the team in bigger storylines, make it look like they actually matter. It’s annoying that they never seem to offer anything of value in the standard storylines.
It’s something we’ve been saying for a long time. I’m not the only one to ever bring up support needed for Atwater, and now others. Will Chicago PD listen?
Next. New Year's Resolutions for TV crime dramas: The full schedule. dark
What do you think of Chicago PD‘s lack of focus on certain characters? What would you like to see for Atwater, Rojas, and others? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Chicago PD returns with all-new episodes on Jan. 8 at 10/9c on NBC. Like Precinct TV on Facebook for more New Year’s Resolutions and the latest news in TV crime dramas.