Warning: This story contains spoilers from last night’s Season 11 premiere of Chicago P.D. Titled “Unpacking,” delved into continuing traumatic storylines from the previous season’s cliffhanger.
The episode, set six months later, portrayed the aftermath of traumatic events on characters like Officer Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) and Detective Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger). Upton, grappling with divorce and witnessing unethical activities, appeared mentally drained.
Showrunner Gwen Sigan discussed with The Hollywood Reporter the mental health themes explored in this episode and the overarching direction for the latest season.
She explained that the decision to include a time jump was driven by the show’s prolonged hiatus due to the strikes. The time jump allowed for fresh storytelling opportunities and placed characters in new emotional spaces. The title “Unpacking” signifies emotional exploration, with events occurring off-screen affecting the characters emotionally.
“We knew when we started back in the writing room that since we have been off the air for so long, and since it had felt to us like we were gone for so long, that we could embrace this idea that it was six months later and do a time jump, which storytelling-wise offers you so many opportunities to put your characters in a new place. And a lot of that title comes from this idea that there have been events that have happened off-screen, and our characters find themselves in this place where it feels like things are new and that you know change is coming. But yet, change is really hard and no one really wants it to happen in this universe. And, like there is a lot of emotion that’s happening.”
Sigan also emphasized the exploration of mental health issues, depicting the characters’ struggles and growth. This came in the form of a new Mental Health Unit, reflecting real-life crisis intervention teams being tested across the U.S. Sigan notes the mixed reactions from real Chicago P.D. officers, who view it as a valuable resource but also express concerns about its newness and organizational challenges.
She explained, “We knew there was so much mentally that was going on. You can’t really go through something like being shot on the job, and being off the job for as long as he’s been off, and not have it affect you mentally. And the same thing with Upton. So much of her mental journey that is so interesting is that she’s someone who I think denies a lot of her emotion and doesn’t want to feel certain things. And I think it’s a defense mechanism.”
Sigan added, “I think it’s how she was raised, what got her by for a long time, but it’s also something that’s not sustainable. So, when you’ve rocked again, as she has been with this relationship with Jay and with the divorce, you realize that it’s almost like it cracks the dam and all the other stuff starts coming out. So, we knew that was going to be a part of her journey of her growth this year and getting to a better place this year. And as soon as we knew that, it felt like the Mental Health Unit that we explore in this episode was the perfect pairing.”
The episode also featured bloody violence, symbolizing the impact of certain cases on characters. The violent imagery is designed to be memorable, impacting Upton emotionally and influencing her investigative instincts. Sigan highlights that such scenes contribute to the investment in characters’ emotional arcs.
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Sigan noted, “You talk to cops and always there are certain ones that [stick with you]. Her going in there and seeing blood on the ceiling and blood everywhere; we wanted that to be something that would hit her in the face, which can also help us earn a lot of the investment as to why she emotionally is like this woman on fire to get the person that did it.”
Upton’s admission of anger and realization of its impact on her effectiveness as a cop are explored. Sigan delves into the internalization of anger, portraying it as a defense mechanism that cracks when confronted with new challenges. Upton’s journey includes understanding her emotions and navigating personal growth.
“And because of that, and because of the anger that was already boiling in her personally, I think going into a scene like that and seeing that violence causes this instinctual anger that someone could be capable of this.”
Sigan teased upcoming storylines to THR, including a significant antagonist for Sgt. Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) and Torres’ (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) involvement in an undercover narcotics world. New characters, including additional police officers, will join the cast, contributing to evolving dynamics.
While no crossovers with Chicago Fire or Chicago Med are confirmed, Sigan didn’t rule out the possibility. She attributed Chicago P.D.’s enduring popularity over 11 seasons to its compelling characters, the cast’s performances, and a balance of police dramas, engaging cases, and action.
“It’s the character! I think it’s the cast and it’s the characters. I think that is why people watch. I think people watch for what these actors have managed to do with these characters and that there are still stories and relationships to explore. And I hope they also watch because we tell a compelling police show with police dramas, fun cases and action. But I think it’s a character, at the end of the day.”
Chicago P.D. Season 11 promises to continue exploring complex themes while introducing new challenges and characters to keep viewers engaged.
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