The twelfth season of Chicago P.D. concluded with game-changing events that left the Intelligence Unit’s future hanging in the balance. The finale, titled “Vows,” delivered a shocking death that resolved a major threat while casting a long shadow over Sergeant Hank Voight’s morality. At the same time, longtime fans were finally rewarded as two beloved characters celebrated a major personal milestone.
The Final Showdown
The entire season built up the conflict between the Intelligence Unit and the corrupt Deputy Chief Charlie Reid. From his introduction, Reid was a shadowy figure who used his position to manipulate the Chicago Police Department for his own profit, working with the city’s most dangerous criminals. As the season progressed, his campaign against Voight’s team intensified, culminating in him stripping Kim Burgess and Dante Torres of their badges and subjecting the unit to a rigorous Internal Affairs investigation. With the unit on the verge of being disbanded, Voight was forced to take extreme measures to protect his team.
In the finale, Voight set in motion a chain of events that led to Reid’s assassination. He released Renny Otero, the son of a drug smuggler murdered by one of Reid’s hitmen, from custody. Voight informed Renny of his father’s killer and provided the location of Reid’s upcoming court appearance. Outside the courthouse, Renny shot and killed the Deputy Chief. With his dying breath, Reid looked at Voight and declared, “You’re worse than me.”
While Voight did not pull the trigger, he openly acknowledged his role in orchestrating the events. He was later confronted by his confidante, Assistant State’s Attorney Nina Chapman, who laid out his actions.
“You released Renny. You told him how his dad died, how he suffered,” Chapman said. “And then you gave him Reid’s location. You sanctioned Reid’s death.”
Voight’s lack of denial confirmed his involvement and effectively ended any potential romantic future with Chapman. His actions, however, succeeded in their goal: the Internal Affairs investigation was dropped, Burgess and Torres got their badges back, and a dangerous, corrupt high-ranking official was removed.
A Wedding Amid the Chaos
Amid the professional turmoil, the season provided a heartfelt conclusion to a long-running personal storyline. The finale was also named for the wedding of Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek. Their journey to the altar was nearly derailed by the stress of Reid’s investigation and Burgess losing her badge. However, with the threat eliminated and their positions restored, the couple moved forward with their plans.
In the final moments of the episode, fans saw Burgess and Ruzek finally tie the knot in a beautiful ceremony, offering a note of hope and stability after a season filled with conflict. This union marks one of the few marriages within the core cast, promising a new dynamic for the couple as they navigate life as partners both on and off the job.
The Moral Cost for Voight
The central question left by the Season 12 finale is whether Voight’s actions were justified. The show’s creative team intentionally left this for the audience to ponder. Showrunner Gwen Sigan discussed the moral ambiguity of Voight’s decision.
“We wanted to leave it open and to have the audience questioning that,” Sigan said. “What Reid has been doing? It’s sort of this idea of intent. You know, they had different intent, but are their acts the same? They both sanctioned death, basically.”
Sigan elaborated that while Voight likely sees his actions as necessary for the good of his team and the city, the emotional weight of his decision will not easily fade. This internal conflict is expected to be a significant part of his character’s journey moving forward.
Season 13 Details
The events of the finale set several key storylines in motion for the new season. The fallout from Reid’s death and Voight’s involvement will continue to be explored, potentially testing the trust within the unit and with department higher-ups. The marriage of Burgess and Ruzek will usher in a new chapter for the popular characters. Furthermore, the unit must reintegrate and find its footing after nearly being torn apart.
The premiere of Chicago P.D. Season 13 is set for Wednesday, October 1, at 10/9c on NBC. It will air as part of the One Chicago lineup, following the premieres of Chicago Med and Chicago Fire. New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
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