How has Atwater handled the attacks on Chicago PD Season 8?
Caution: We’re getting into spoilers from Chicago PD Season 8, Episode 2.
Atwater has had to face the attacks against him head-on in Chicago PD Season 8. Voight had one way of dealing with the situation, but would Atwater opt for it? What did he choose to do in the end, and was it the right choice?
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When Atwater made a call for backup and it didn’t come, it turned out there were orders for nobody to respond to him. It didn’t matter that they were all putting other cops’ lives at risk. Well, it did, but they couldn’t disobey orders.
And this is why there are very few good cops. They’re too worried about losing their jobs or putting their own lives at risk to stand out against the terrible cops out there. There are just a few like Atwater who is finally willing to stand up against those doing wrong, stand up against the blue wall.
Atwater realized he was putting his own guys at risk. Was it better to hand over his badge and walk away from a job that he loves? Voight had another option.
Voight could put in an official complaint against Atwater, making it impossible for Atwater to make detective and impossible to advance anywhere outside of Intelligence.
It would be just like losing his job.
Atwater doesn’t feel like a good cop
During the conversation with Voight, Atwater admitted that he didn’t feel like a good cop. He is angry all the time and constantly looking over his shoulder. It’s affecting his ability to do the job and make the good decisions.
Maybe it was best for him to just hand over his badge. What’s the point in doing something that he no longer loves? What’s the point in doing something where he can’t even help people anymore?
So, is that it? Is Atwater out?
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Atwater finds a third option on Chicago PD
The great news is Atwater is still in. Just as it looked like he was giving up his badge, we saw him at Nolan’s house. Nolan and his guys aren’t the only ones who can break in without anyone realizing.
Atwater makes it clear that if Nolan doesn’t stop, he will give up his badge. However, it’s not going to be so Nolan stops the harassment. Instead, it’s so he can make Nolan’s life miserable.
If Atwater steps down, he’ll go to the media and everyone who will listen to say that Nolan is a racist and a terrible cop. With the current state of the world, even Nolan has to admit that it wouldn’t end well for him. Even without physical evidence, there will be guys who will side with Atwater. There’s no way cops will want to be tarnished with the same brush as Nolan.
There is no way Nolan can win this fight.
Atwater gets to keep his badge and Nolan agrees to step down.
For now, at least. Is this really over?
Was it the right decision?
And it was the best decision Atwater could make. It’s a fair threat against Nolan. After all, he’s a terrible cop and with police reform coming, Nolan isn’t going to last the year. Voight pointed that out. Chicago PD can’t lose a good cop for a racist. It’s as simple as that. Now, hopefully, Atwater can lose the anger and go back to doing the right thing.
It was also good to see Voight help Atwater figure out this decision. Voight didn’t want either of the two choices and encouraged Atwater to get creative. Is Intelligence finding a way to mend the break?
What did you think of Atwater’s decision? What would you have done in Atwater’s situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Chicago PD Season 8 returns with new episodes on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at 10/9c on NBC.