The Season 11 finale of Chicago P.D. delivered a surprising twist that left fans reeling. The episode marked the final appearance of Tracy Spiridakos as Detective Hailey Upton, leading many viewers to speculate about potential guest stars.
Among the popular theories was the return of Jesse Lee Soffer, who played Upton’s husband, Detective Jay Halstead, and had recently directed an episode in Season 13.
Despite fan anticipation, there was no reunion between Halstead and Upton in the finale, leaving many yearning for closure on their relationship. The hashtag #UpsteadForever trended on social media as fans expressed their longing for the duo.
Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) faced serious trouble as he was captured and tortured by a serial killer. The killer tried to coerce Voight into calling Upton to save him, but Voight refused, valuing her safety above his own life. In a dramatic moment, Voight broke the blade of the knife used to stab him, signaling his readiness to die rather than compromise Upton.
As Voight bled out and lost consciousness, fans were treated to the shocking return of Elias Koteas as Detective Alvin “Al” Olinsky. Olinsky, a former key member of the Intelligence Unit and Voight’s close friend, had died nearly six years ago in jail after taking the fall for Voight’s actions. His brief return provided a poignant moment, with Olinsky urging Voight to wake up and save Upton, reminding him that his work was not yet done.
This callback to a fan-favorite character added emotional depth to the finale. Although Olinsky’s appearance was brief, it was significant in reigniting Voight’s will to live and fight on.
Olinsky’s presence was a poignant callback for long-time fans, as he was a beloved character who had died in a previous season.
This unexpected twist added a layer of emotional depth to Voight’s harrowing ordeal, reminding fans of the series’ rich history and the enduring impact of its characters.
The End of an Era
Tracy Spiridakos’s departure from Chicago P.D. marks the end of an era. She revealed that leaving was a difficult decision, and her exit will significantly impact the show as it moves forward. Upton was the last detective directly under Voight’s command, following Halstead’s departure.
With Upton gone, the Intelligence Unit will see new faces. Season 12 is expected to introduce new detectives or promote existing characters. Detective Jo Petrovic (Bojana Novakovic), who has worked well with the team, might be offered a spot in the unit.
As Chicago P.D. heads into its next season, fans can expect significant changes in the team dynamics. Previous episodes are available for streaming on Peacock, and new episodes air Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.
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(CHICAGO P.D. — “More” Episode 11013 — Pictured: (l-r) Jason Beghe as Hank Voight — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)
