Well, things apparently went well between Jay and Erin. I was worried last week that it was just sex for Erin, but this first scene has me thinking otherwise.“I need to tell you something,” says Erin.
“You’re married?” Jay jokes.
She’s off to Bolivia, and Jay is clearly disappointed. So of course, they have to...play all the scrabble they can before she leaves. They start heating things up again, but scrabble time is cut short – Intelligence has a case.
Guess who’s on scene? Disco Bob – also known as Papa Ruzek! He’s the responding officer on scene where a mom and daughter are found dead, and it’s discovered that the ten-year-old son is missing. There’s obvious tension between Bob and Voight. We don’t know much about Voight’s past, just that it does involve Bob. Apparently, things didn’t end well between the two.
Now look, I LOVE this show. The characters are fantastic and the chemistry among the group is amazing. But, the cases each week are a bit predictable. They relentlessly question the dad only to find he’s innocent – called it. The sweet, concerned boyfriend is responsible for everything – saw that coming as soon as I saw him. So let’s not waste any more time on the snooze fest that was the case this week…
I don’t know what happened between Ruzek and his dad, but I want to. They don’t seem to be estranged, but they aren’t close either. While Ruzek would love nothing more than to hear about his dad’s past working with Voight, Voight’s not having it. Olinsky, on the other hand, is an open book – he tells Ruzek exactly what went down between Bob and Voight.
Side note, I really want to know why his name is Disco Bob. Basically, Bob accused Voight of being a dirty cop and wouldn’t relent. Voight calls Bob a dog cop (?), which apparently, is really offensive. The two haven’t been on good terms since. Later, Ruzek tells his dad that he loves being the first through the door – the complete opposite of who his dad is. But, Disco Bob tells Adam that he chose to be the cop he is because of Adam – he wanted to coach his teams, be home for dinner, be present in his life. Well doesn’t that just melt your heart.
I loved this glimpse into the backstory, but I also left the episode a bit disappointed. I wanted more, and I wanted it handled differently. The writers have teased this deep, messy connection between Ruzek’s dad and Voight and Olinsky from the series’ very first episode, and this just fell a bit flat for me.
The Marlboro Man is absent this week and instead, we have the Island’s Jacob – scratch that – Captain Misogynist. I didn’t think it was possible, but I like Captain Misogynist less than the Marlboro Man. Anyway, the Captain takes over the task force as the trip to Bolivia gets complicated. I have mixed feelings about Erin visiting Intelligence. On the one hand, it’s obviously great to see her with the team. But girl, you just started your new job, BE at your new job. Erin is a strong, independent woman and I think it might be a bit out of character for her to be so clingy.
Last week, I speculated that Erin was only in it with Jay for the sex and that Jay’s feelings were borderline serious – way more than what Erin has. But, based on this episode, I might have been wrong, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Yes, Jay has feelings. The man can’t contain it. But Erin is surprisingly invested in what they have too. Even when she thinks she’s jetting off to Bolivia for six months (I’m sorry, what?! That’s not happening), she wants him to leave the door open.
Back to Captain Misogynist. The trip is happening, but only six agents can go. Erin volunteers to stay back and take care of things in Chicago, but the Captain immediately shoots her down, she’s needed in Bolivia. Now, I know what you are thinking, Erin was thinking it too. He values her! He sees what a great cop she is! He sees what an asset to the team she is! Um, no. Not exactly. She’s needed to babysit the cartel kingpin’s wife – you know, go get their hair and nails done and stuff. Excuse me? In the words of Stephanie Tanner, how rude!
So naturally, I think that Erin is going to quit. But no, it can’t be that soon, right? Surely all of this hype about the task force can’t just be for TWO EPISODES, RIGHT?! Wrong. Dang it.Erin shows up on Voight’s doorstep, asking for her job back (he of course says yes). Of course I wanted Erin back in Intelligence…eventually. But after two episodes? Let’s be honest, the task force was used only to get Erin and Jay together. I don’t have a problem with Erin and Jay together either, but now I’m hating how it happened. What about the Marlboro Man? I feel like he had a lot of great story to offer!
What did you think of tonight’s episode? Were you disappointed with Ruzek’s backstory? How will Erin and Jay move forward?
Chicago PD is on hiatus next week. Tune in Tuesday, February 3 for the first hour of the Chicago Fire crossover event with Chicago PD that will continue on Wednesday, February 4.
I hate comparing the shows but unlike Dawson and Casey on Chicago Fire (don't get me wrong, I want them to be together again) I think Erin and Jay can handle keeping it together at work unlike the other two (seperate issues but still wish they would have done that better). I just think they can and ease Voight into the idea of them together by not bringing the relationship to work and I see that happening initially. I know this may sound dumb but I kind of wanted a scene with Ruzek's dad having some sort of interaction with Burgess. I am really starting to look forward to Chicago PD like I do Fire. Great review as always :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review :)
ReplyDeleteLove your review as always, and I totally agree. 2 Episodes and Erin is back, seriously?? I think she should have lasted longer, sexism in law enforcement, what a shocker to Erin! Interesting is your interpretation of the second Lindstead scene, you took, Erin's saying that she wants the door open, as something positive. Whereas I was a bit disappointed, that she did not say, she wanted to continue after she is going to be back. And from Jay I expected something more than: I am very happy for you, and please take care of yourself later in the station. I mean Jay had his feelings all over his face, but was never afraid of telling them. Anyway, I like you interpretation better then mine.
ReplyDeleteI also read the TVline interview, so I am really looking forward to their secret relationship. Each week I like Roman more ... Even tough the plot might have been predictable, I think it really showed a character development of Voight. He was pressing the Dad hard, but he did not break any bones and he apologized to the Dad at the end. I think Voight came a long way this season 2. And I have to admit, I am not that interested in the case of the week anyway.
I did not hate Ruzek Dad's as much as I thought I would (I loathe the actor), but I give him credit because Platt liked him, but his speech to his son was pathetic. Nothing wrong with playing it save and not being ambitious, but as a parent you don't put that choice on the shoulders of your children. I that was lame, Ruzek's dad was just plain jealous. I think in season 1 it was said, that Ruzek's parents are divorced and he grew up with his Mom, and now he plays the father of the year card. It did not add up for me, or I just don't like him. And Voight made already then a remark that preferred Ruzek more than his mothers neighborhood than his dad`s., so I guess more is coming.
That might be one explanation for Voight, but they all change partners all the time, so eventually Burgess and Roman would work together as a partners. Like your explanation that Erin came to the station just to tell Jay that her plane trip was pushed. i was waiting for Jay to say, something like come back soon.... but I guess that is to plain for TV
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! And I agree, I think that Erin and Jay can definitely handle a work relationship better than Dawson and Casey, but I think that's also because for Jay and Erin, they are both detectives. For Dawson and Casey, it's a boss/subordinate issue.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting theory, but I agree with the below, they all switch all the time. Sure, at the end of the day Halstead and Lindsay are partners, but they all work as a team.
ReplyDeleteYeah it seems that Linstead will continue!
Thank you! I think I took that scene between them well because what do you expect from these two? They both think she's going away for 6 months, you aren't going to jump into a long distance relationship with someone you've been with for 1 night. So yeah, I think leaving the door open is hopeful! But now that she's not leaving, I think we'll just see it progress. and I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI hope we get more of Ruzek's back story. I agree with you, I don't care for the actor at all. Hoping that doesn't sway my opinion of Disco Bob.
I also think Jay wanted to say more at the District, but because of where they were, knowing Voight was around, he held back.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your review. I find the cases to be the least interesting part of the show and want to fast forward through a lot of them. I wish they'd make the scenes about the characters' personal lives a little longer.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm in the minority, but I really dislike Lindsey more and more. I think it's Sophia Bush's acting. Lindsey comes off as so smug, it's grating. I'd love to see her disappear and something wild happen like Rollins transferring to Chicago from SVU. Kelli Giddish is much more adept at playing a dark past, IMO. Bush could take some lessons.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind the cases (in fact, I would enjoy them) if they weren't so predictable. I'd like to see a case go unsolved every now and then, I'd like to see cases that go beyond one episode.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't agree, I can completely respect that viewpoint. I think it's the same reason I don't care for Burgess!
ReplyDeleteWhile Kelli Giddish is amazing, I do have to give Sophia Bush credit for her acting ability. As someone who watched (and okay, yes, still do) One Tree Hill, she is playing someone who could not be more different, and she's doing a great job.
That'll make good television. To see a case that last about 4-5 episodes with focus on other cases while still trying to catch the killer would make for a great season thriller. Maybe something where intelligence help out with homicide or vice on catching a serial killer. That's not predictable!!
ReplyDeleteI thought I heard Ruzek explain that his parents are divorced and don't get along in S1 when he was planning the dinner with Wendy. I agree on the speech. It's like he's justifying his jealousy of Voight.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to wait to read everyone's take on the Linstead conversation at district. What's your thoughts on "keep an open mind." I to was a bit disappointed when I heard her say those words. I was also confused.
Voight has come a long was this season. I didn't expect Voight to go to the hospital to see the dad and provide an explanation.
The cases are good, but I like the character development the most.
Dawson is intolerable at this point. She truly has plucked a nerve with me over this break up. Casey can be the subordinate when she feels its right.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I prefer the Marlboro Man way better than Captain Misogynist. I doubt if Lang would've ever insulted Erin that way. Then he belittled her expertise.... And what's up with Castillo cutting Erin off in the middle briefing? Kot task force seems to be flawed being as Erin is not running her own task force...
ReplyDeleteErin's visit to PD, I feel it was more so to visit Jay & inform him of the length of the trip and to settle their status or one nighter before jetting off. I ha mixed feelings and a bit confused on what "keep an open mind" means. So are they taking things slow? Are they going to start a relationship? Are they going to settle for a one night an see what happens when she return? What exactly does all that mean?
I'm glad Erin left the task force. I can't take them d*cks any longer! I would just want to stare into Lang's beautiful blue eyes but that's as much of them I can tolerate.
I'm hoping Erin and Jay will grow their relationship before exposing it. I can see the relationship becoming exposed when it matters the most. At a point where Voight has no choice but to keep them both in intelligence when he finds out. I would say a life/death situation but that's happened already with Burgess & Ruzek. My hopes is the do continue to see each other and how will it all play out
S/N: what I don't understand about Voight's rule: He prefer partners be male/female, but he don't condone interoffice relationships. What do he expect two young single attractive people to do working so close together each day? They both ride into work together, they are together all day...