Chicago P.D. Season 10 Episode 9 Review: Proof of Burden

Chicago P.D. Season 10 Episode 9, “Proof of Burden” is a mid-season finale that answers some questions, but asks so many more. There may never have been any mechanism for this story to have a satisfying conclusion.

In the end, this is a mid-season finale that just hurts, in so many ways. There is so much that feels just wrong here. Rather than a solid commentary on the state of the world, this story feels like it’s grasping at straws to make a compelling point. 

If anyone was hoping to see Kim, Atwater, Trudy or Torres in action, this episode brings nothing but disappointment. Everyone is in the background of the Hank and Hailey show.

Before we discuss the phenomenon that is Hailey Upton, and why everyone should support women’s rights and wrongs, let’s examine why the show suffers when the ensemble is in the background. Frankly, the episode is the perfect one to illustrate this problem.

Each of the ensemble clearly has much to offer. Even when looking at this case, trying to catch a pedophile and child trafficker, everyone is trying to help. Everyone’s insight is valuable. Yet, they are consistently pushed aside.

Whenever Chicago P.D. does this, it really takes away from the power that this group has as a whole. Spotlighting characters individually is effective. It should never take away from the ensemble, however. This only makes the stories less interesting. 

This being said, we need to talk about the perfection that is Hailey Upton, and Tracy Spiridakos’ continued incredible performance. Hailey continues to be a shining star, even when she’s continually paired with Hank Voight, a man who could never possibly hold a candle to her.

To Chicago P.D.‘s credit, the powers that be know just what a powerful and dynamic character Hailey is. Even when she is at her most deeply flawed, as she is on this episode, there is still something magnetic and sympathetic about this character.

She always has the public good in mind, and her determination means that she will stop at nothing to see that justice is served. Even when she is pushed to her limits as she is here, she’s always able to focus on doing what is right. 

Villainizing her character as on this episode is the wrong choice. Of course, she should be shown at her most human. However, rather than nuance, she’s shown to be someone who is out for vengeance for its own sake. It’s unlike her. 

The Sean O’Neal story is now at an end, and to say it is an underwhelming conclusion would be an understatement. It defies belief that a man this, well, pathetic, could evade law enforcement for very long. 

It needs to be said that this portrayal of pedophilia and child trafficking is incredibly problematic. Statistics show that children are overwhelmingly harmed by adults who they know and trust. This idea of massive child trafficking rings run by a shadowy figure leads to so much disinformation.

Each time a show like Chicago P.D. shows child trafficking in this way, it leads more people to believe that this is how most children are harmed. There is a sense of false alarm over strangers when the real dangers to children often lurk far too close to home.

Sean O’Neal is in every way a stereotypical predator. This portrayal in these types of shows also misleads viewers from the fact that many predators actually look quite normal, which makes them far more sinister. 

This being said, Mayor Gray Anderson, sorry, Chief Patrick O’Neal, does represent many people when confronted with the very real threat of child predators. As a family member, his complete denial is disgustingly authentic. 

The ultimate conclusion of this storyline, however, leaves much to be desired. It’s unfortunate that the show feels the need to show Hank being the hero of the day when he has never been any such thing.

In many ways, this ending feels like a cop-out, if the pun can be pardoned. Hailey being forced to re-examine her own beliefs and assumptions adds to her character. Having her show a completely villainous side of herself just doesn’t make any sense.

This feels like a hopeless way to end this story. Of course, sometimes evil does triumph, or at least live to fight another day. The fact that it comes at the expense of someone’s humanity is both heartbreaking and infuriating. 

Chicago P.D. ends the first half of this season on a rather sour note. With the continued focus on rehabilitating Hank’s image, the storytelling is suffering. Hank should remain the anti-hero he has always been. The devil you know is often better than the one you don’t. 

It’s not that every story needs a happy ending. A story like this, however, at least deserves an arc that makes some sense. There were many other ways that this predator could have been brought to justice. 

If the show wants to comment on real-world issues, and real dangers, this should be done in an authentic way. The sensationalism does not help and ultimately serves as a distraction. 

The show had many opportunities, to make these commentaries, and also to further the characters here. Unfortunately, the chance was not taken. It’s a massive disappointment as the mid-season hiatus begins. 

What did you think of this episode of Chicago P.D.? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Chicago P.D. airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

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