Intelligence is kicking off 2021 on a high note. 

Following Atwater’s powerful storyline, Chicago PD Season 8 Episode 3 shook things up and reminded fans of the good old days when the focus remained largely on the case-of-the-week. 

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the team go full-in on a case, especially one as compelling as the murder of Makayla’s entire family. 

While gang retribution was the go-to motive, the case took a surprising twist when it was revealed that all three family members died protecting the little girl from her father, Tareek, who was recently released from prison. 

The case was interesting even without a personal connection, but hinging the plot on a young, innocent girl not only provided an emotional hook, it also allowed the narrative to circle back to Burgess’ miscarriage from Chicago PD Season 7.

Voight was determined to nail down a suspect and get justice for the family, so the “by the book” police reform storyline kind of went out the window. Sometimes, I wonder if the series even remembers the plotlines it’s introducing.

There wasn’t even any reference to Atwater’s situation with the racist cops; it’s almost as if it never happened. 

However, it was nice to see that Burgess was still dealing with the aftermath of the miscarriage. 

Following such a traumatic experience, Burgess convinced herself that she didn’t want children. It was a tactic to protect herself from getting hurt again.

But after forming a personal connection with Makayla, she began to see the possibilities that she could have it all: a family and a career. 

Her motherly instincts kicked in when she saw that the girl was in danger — motherly instincts she didn’t even know she had. 

It was such a treat to see her in “mama bear”  mode.

Their bond never seemed forced either as Burgess genuinely cared for the young girl and found her purpose in protecting her. She even put her job on the line to ensure that she could stay by Makayla’s side until they found the people hunting her down. 

But it begs the question . . . what happens next? Was this the show’s way of warming everyone up to the idea of a Burzek baby again? 

They already let us down once; I don’t want to get ahead of myself and get my hopes up again. 

Read the full review at TV Fanatic! 

Fans of the #OneChicago shows — Chicago Med, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire –– will have to wait an additional week for new episodes. 

NBC announced that the originally scheduled episodes were postponed from their original premiere date of Wednesday, January 6 to next Wednesday on January 13. 

The network made the decision to preempt the #OneChicago shows with continued breaking news coverage on the chaos at the Capitol after Trump supporters stormed the federal building and delayed the Electoral College vote count.

Yesterday’s premieres marked the show’s return from the winter hiatus. NBC wasn’t the only network to delay originally scheduled programming as ABC and CBS both aired news instead. 

Tonight on NBC: Continuing coverage from NBC News. Originally scheduled episodes of Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. will air next week.

— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) January 7, 2021

Here are the synopsis for all three shows premiering next week!

Chicago Med:

Chicago Fire:

Chicago PD:

We’re only two episodes into Chicago PD Season 8 and Atwater is not only carrying the show, but he’s taking it to new heights. 

The way he managed to turn the tables around on Kenny Nolan on Chicago PD Season 8 Episode 2 and push his back up against the wall, well, it was beautiful to watch. 

Ever since owning his truth and standing up against racism, Atwater has been bullied and intimidated at every turn. When it began to affect his family, both at home and in Intelligence, he realized he could no longer stand back and wait. 

Nolan was barking orders and hoping to break Atwater, and while he did look paranoid at times, I love that Atwater stood his ground. 

The only way Atwater could regain the upper hand was to play Nolan at his own game. 

I’ve never seen anything more satisfying than Atwater sitting at Nolan’s dining room table giving him a play-by-play of how he’d go out of his way to ruin his whole life if he didn’t back down. 

When I say it may be the best scene on television that I’ve ever seen, I truly mean it. 

The good guys don’t always win, but this time, the right guy did. No one messes with Atwater. 

Atwater channeled his inner-Voight, but he did so in a way without using his fists.

The look of defeat on Nolan’s face was priceless. 

Obviously, the back-and-forth between Atwater and Nolan couldn’t go on forever, but I was curious to see how the series would go about resolving it. 

For a moment, I was terrified that the only solution would be for Atwater to give up his badge or accept that his career would never advance, but all those options included Atwater giving up and throwing in the towel. 

And Voight was right — the moment Atwater stopped being a cop is the moment they would have won. 

With the roles reversed, Atwater has successfully proven that he will always stand up for what he believes in. 

He’s making a change, albeit small, but it’s a step in the right direction. 

And if any good is to come of this “new world,” then it better be karma hitting Nolan square in the forehead. 

Atwater won the battle against the racist cops, but unfortunately, he’s still losing the battle on the home front.

The scene with the kids refusing to take a basketball from him was heartbreaking, but hopefully, by doing the job differently, he’ll make an impact that will lead to further positive changes. 

The fight is far from over, but at least these kids have a good one looking out for them. 

The purest thing on Chicago PD is the bromance between Ruzek and Atwater. 

I know that they said everyone has Atwater’s back, and it’s true in theory, but Ruzek took an actual bullet for Atwater. 

And then his reaction was basically “no sweat, bro.” It was solid. 

Though, the whole situation with patrol not responding was disturbing. 

No one man should have enough power to bark such an order and endanger the lives of his blue brothers.

I wish more patrol stood up to Nolan, just as I wish there was more love given to Atwater from the rest of Intelligence. 

Read the full review at TV Fanatic!