Chicago PD - Forty-Caliber Bread Crumb - Review

“The thing is, the firefights never scared me. It was coming home and having to look into the faces of the wives and the families, the guys who didn’t make it back.”

I want to start by saying this was one of my favorite episodes of the seasons. No, not just because it featured Halstead (though I did love that), but because for what has now become a rarity on this show, the episode balanced the personal with the professional perfectly.

A few weeks ago, Jay took an after-hours job at a marijuana dispensary where he met Brianna Logan, aka Trouble, and Terry, a former military man. I took an instant liking to Terry, and it seems Jay did too. At the top of the hour, it’s clear the workers at the dispensary get along well, Jay and Terry in particular. Terry and his wife announce they are having a little boy! If the promos for this episode weren’t enough of a giveaway, this happiness here would be the sign of horrible things to come.

During a transport of cash from the dispensary to the bank, the SUV is trapped and attacked. The thieves shoot Terry, who leaves the scene in critical condition. Later at the district, Olinsky breaks the news to Jay that Terry didn’t make it. Here’s how the rest of the case unfolds…

Joey Ortiz is identified as a possible suspect. He’s part of a gang that doesn’t deal drugs, but steals the drugs from the drug transporters. He’s soon cleared, though, as footage of him across town minutes before the heist surfaces.

While sweeping for bugs at the dispensary, Ruzek and Olinsky find one in Brianna’s office, where the bank routes were discussed. Things get a little dicier when the bug is tied to Jason Logan, Brianna’s soon-to-be ex-husband. Jason hired a PI to help with the alimony case, and the PI bugged Brianna’s office.

Frank, the PI, thought he’d make some extra cash by leaking to a crew where the transport would be for a cut of the profit. After arresting the crew leader, Briggs, it’s not long before the others are found.

This episode had quite a bit of depth for Halstead this week. While I know not every case can be so personal, the balance between personal and professional can continue. There was so much this week for Halstead and I hope it continues for the other members of the unit. Just a few highlights for Halstead…

Halstead is typically the moral compass of the team and generally level-headed. While that is one thing I love about him, I also love seeing him, every now and then, wear his heart on his sleeve when dealing with something he really cares about. In this episode, he throws Joey Ortiz up against a wall (loved it) while Antonio stands by. Later, he very nearly gets violent with Briggs in the cage.

Later, he visit’s Terry’s wife, who tells him Terry was recently accepted into the police academy. How heartbreaking! We didn’t know Terry well, but imagine what could have been; we could have seen Jay mentoring his friend as he went through the academy.

We haven’t had much of the Jay/Erin relationship recently. And by not much, I mean barely an acknowledgement. And while the relationship wasn’t featured or overtly seen, it was definitely talked about. I still can’t tell how serious it is (as I doubt the writers would deny us the first “I love you”), but they are together, so I’ll take it. That being said, Jay seems to have gotten close to Terry, who I don’t believe knows anything about his relationship. Odd.

Then there’s Brianna. She’s clearly into Jay and asks him out before the robbery. He doesn’t have much opportunity to say no, so it’s left until later. There a few, short moments during the hour that make it clear Brianna’s had feelings for Jay for some time. At the end of the hour, she brings up the dinner invite from earlier.

“I have somebody waiting for me.”

Yes you do, Jay. Yes you do! I’m so glad they didn’t have any sort of romantic relationship between Jay and Brianna. I was worried when Brianna was introduced that the writers would try to force some sort of love triangle, which would have been uncharacteristic for Jay. He’s had a thing for Erin the entire series, and it wouldn’t have made any sense for him to throw that away when things are so good between them.

I will give Brianna credit. I didn’t want to like her, but I can’t not like her. It was clear all episode she has a thing for Jay, and I can’t really blame her. She was also willing to take care of Terry’s wife financially without limit.

We put a lot of time and energy into the Jay/Erin relationship. Understandably, as it’s the main romantic relationship of the show. But given Erin’s father/daughter-esque relationship with Voight, the Voight/Halstead relationship is just as if not more interesting (at least in this episode). Voight watches Jay closely throughout the case, making sure he keeps his emotions in check (with the exception of the cage scene). Early on in the episode, Voight asks Jay if he’s sleeping with Brianna. He’s asking because of the case, but I’d also guess he’s asking because of Erin. And correct me if I’m wrong, but for the first time ever, Jay gets validation from Voight.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’m lucky to have you in my unit.”

Immediately after that conversation, Jay breaks down in the locker room. I don’t know if it’s the emotions of the case catching up with him, Voight’s words of affirmation, or what, but this scene was fantastic work by Jesse Lee Soffer. Anyway, as the relationship between Jay and Erin progresses, I hope the relationship between Jay and Voight does too.

Quite possibly my favorite scene of the night was near the end, with Jay, Mouse, and Chicago Med’s Ethan. Earlier in the hour, Mouse once again tried to get Jay to open up about their military past. And dang it, Jay, open up! I want to know! But later, Ethan shares a war story with Mouse and Jay at Molly’s that prompts Jay to open up, even just a little. This was a brilliant move on the writers’ part. Ethan, Mouse, and Jay share an instant connection because of their military history and if you watch Med, you know Ethan has some trauma from that time in his life, much like Jay. I hope the writers utlilize this friendship to show us more history of both Ethan and Jay.

Elsewhere…

Ruzek is crazy jealous…of Roman. Burgess seems to understand Ruzek’s jealousy, perhaps she feels something for Roman? Roman, on the other hand, has no idea why Ruzek would be jealous, leading me to believe he doesn’t have feelings for Burgess. I still can’t decide how I feel about this, but I think I’m leaning toward not wanting a romantic relationship with Roman and Burgess. They have such excellent chemistry as partners, and I think I might like things between them to stay platonic. I think Ruzek would agree.


What did you think of the episode? Did you like the more personal aspect of the case? Should Roman and Burgess pursue a romantic relationship, or keep things platonic? Share your thoughts below!

About the Author - Meghan Reynolds

A Colorado native, Meghan was born a raised a Denver Broncos fan. Aside from football, she loves television and some might say watches too much of it. Some of her favorite shows of the past and present include Galavant, The Blacklist, The Office, Veronica Mars, The 100, and Gilmore Girls. She reviews Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med for SpoilerTV.