The newest episode of Chicago PD was a directorial debut for Jesse Lee Soffer! And whereas he killed it behind the digital camera, on the opposite facet of it, we bought to see (once more) who Hank Voight is, and who he’ll all the time be.
I would like the document to point out that I adore Jesse Lee Soffer and I’ll perpetually be a fan of Jay Halstead. Soffer is a shining star of expertise in entrance of the digital camera and final week, we bought a glimpse of what he can do when he’s the one calling the photographs behind it. He is aware of this present inside and outside, in all probability higher than most after greater than ten years on the job as Halstead. But as gifted as he’s in these aspects of the trade, he isn’t the one writing the story, merely simply telling it via a lens, and the story final week is a tough capsule to swallow because it’s each bit about Hank Voight.
Voight has all the time been the tough and tumble, no nonsense, ask questions later (if in any respect) form of cop. And that was enjoyable and badass to start with and in the direction of the center of the collection. But now, it’s exhausting and irritating. As the years have passed by, issues and other people and guidelines have modified, policing has modified – extra so, gotten worse – however Voight hasn’t. He has stayed stagnant, cussed in his methods, unwilling to vary as a result of solely his means will be the correct means. But it will possibly’t be like that anymore, and it shouldn’t be. At this level, I’m working out of how to convey simply how terrible of a personality I feel he’s and the way worse he’s grow to be, however nonetheless, let’s dive into it just a little extra.
As the episode kicks off, we see Arturo Morales, who we had been first launched to in episode 10×13, “The Ghost in You.” He is on trial for the homicide of ASA Nina Chapman’s materials witness and previous love curiosity, Tom Villar. While in court docket, Voight notices the odd conduct of a juror and calls in Hailey Upton for backup. They confront the juror at his residence and uncover his spouse has been kidnapped on the order of Morales to leverage a not responsible vote in his favor, and in the end get him off of a homicide cost.
As issues unfold, we as soon as once more see a backwards and forwards wrestle between proper and flawed, one which we aren’t strangers to in the case of Hank Voight. He has constructed, and maintained, a popularity for doing issues his personal means, no matter whether or not it’s the correct means, and even when these round him attempt to reign him in from doing one thing he can’t stroll again from.
Hailey Upton is not any stranger to the morality wrestle both in the case of Voight and his reckless conduct. She is aware of the form of man her Sergeant is and the form of man he won’t ever be, and needs to do the correct factor. She desires to name it in, report the kidnapped spouse and roll within the crime lab, do issues by the e-book, however Voight is fast to close her down. Her softspoken, “We can’t not call it in,” and the look of absolute disappointment mirrored in her eyes is one which isn’t unfamiliar in the event you’ve been paying consideration and studying between the strains over time. Hell, even over the past fifteen episodes. She appears to be like so…defeated. Out of choices, undecided what to do subsequent, and you may’t blame her. Voight’s rinse and repeat cowboy act is the very motive why her husband is gone. He is the explanation why so many have misplaced their lives, why Hailey and the remainder of the group have been in boiling scorching water one too many occasions, and right here he’s doing the exact same factor once more with no qualms about it.
To him, it doesn’t actually matter what occurs or who’s damage or what injury is finished within the strategy of him going off half-cocked so long as he will get the outcome he desires. Voight is identical man he’s all the time been from day one and he won’t ever change. Regardless of who’s caught within the crosshairs or who’s left to scrub up the mess.
This time is not any completely different, at the same time as each Hailey and Kevin attempt to be the voice of motive, however Voight received’t hear any of it. He makes one dangerous name after the opposite, takes benefit of a sick man, and as soon as once more, does the worst issues beneath the guise of getting one of the best intentions, even when meaning breaking the regulation. He isn’t an excellent man, and it’s time everybody begins to name it like it’s.
Yes, they discover the juror’s spouse, Julia, and he or she’s gonna be okay all issues thought-about, and Morales is discovered responsible, however at what price and after what number of extra legal guidelines have been damaged? Voight has all the time prided himself on being a Chicago police officer. A person who loves his metropolis. And that may be an honorable trait for anybody else and beneath regular circumstances, however that is Hank Voight we’re speaking about and there are hardly ever regular circumstances when he’s concerned. He could carry justice, however most of the time, it’s as a result of he’s appearing as a formidable vigilante, not as an honorable police officer.
Chapman mentioned it greatest on the finish of the episode when she was chatting with Voight. About how he doesn’t take into consideration what sort of man he’s, however that he ought to. He received’t although. He received’t give it some thought, and he most positively received’t be altering his methods anytime quickly regardless of how a lot he desperately must.
Things Worth Noting:
– Hailey being Voight’s new second-in-command has me greater than apprehensive. I want her so far-off from that man.
– Upwater partnered up collectively is the silver lining of this episode.
– The little look Hailey and Kevin shared when Voight informed them to maneuver in tells you all the pieces you want to find out about how poor his choice making is.
– You ought to, and I can not stress this sufficient, NEVER belief Hank Voight.
– Every time I see that marriage ceremony ring on Hailey’s finger, my coronary heart swells.
– Voight utilizing an harmless man who has most cancers as leverage when his spouse died from most cancers is flawed on so many ranges. So. Damn. Wrong.
– “If you want trust, earn it with the truth.” Chapman, more true phrases have by no means been spoken, however I’m afraid they’re falling on deaf ears.
– “I did what I had to do.” Nah, you probably did what you needed to do, Voight. There’s a distinction.
Chicago PD airs on Wednesdays on NBC.
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