Chicago P.D. Season 10 Episode 19 Review: The Bleed Valve

Chicago P.D. Season 10 Episode 19, “The Bleed Valve,” brings back a recurring theme on the show: the relationship between fathers and sons.

This theme has been present through the seasons as Voight navigated his relationship with his son and Adam with his father. It became very obvious on Chicago P.D. Season 10 Episode 11, “Long Lost,” when the show introduced Kevin’s father and their troubled past.

This time around, Lew comes back to help the investigation and bring closure to the Atwater family issues.

It seems like every time a case involves children, Chicago P.D. puts Kim or Kevin front and center. Since becoming a mom, Kim has had that extra layer of empathy needed to connect with kids.

As for Kevin, he raised his brother and sister, so he knows how to connect with children and how to make them feel safe.

“The Bleed Valve” is no exception. Because the shooting happens in the building Kevin owns, it makes sense that he is the one leading the investigation. However, it makes even more sense when we see him dealing with Oscar.

Kevin has grown both as a cop and as a person, but the empathy and the compassion have always been a part of him. He is the kind of policeman who you truthfully believe you can trust because he has your best interest at heart.

When it comes to Oscar, not only does he want to protect him because he is a kid, but because he sees a lot of himself in this little boy.

When we first find out Lew is involved, our instincts tell us something is wrong. How often do things go right for the Intelligence Unit team?

The mention of “Lew and his boys,” makes us as viewers wonder what he really is doing with the kids. However, as the episode goes on and it is revealed that Lew is watching over the kids so the gangs don’t get to them, we see the good in him.

It feels as if Lew is taking care of these boys, giving them odd jobs, and walking them home from school to make up for what he lost with his son. It is his way of redeeming himself and paying the price of his mistakes.

Clearly, that is the impression Chicago P.D. is trying to give us because it is later confirmed, by Lew himself, that he does all those things for the boys because he is trying to make up for his past.

Lew’s actions are very loud and protective. He stands between Kevin and Oscar when the little boy is holding the gun, trying to protect both of them.

He goes into the bar to buy drugs from Oscar’s father to get evidence even though that means he would be in violation of his parole. He is trying to be a better man.

While Lew is dealing with his own demons, Kevin is on his own journey and a lot of it comes from seeing Oscar.

The moment he discovers Oscar is lying to protect his father, Kevin understands the little boy better. It is then that he says: “What every son wants with their father: a relationship,” because it has been his experience as well.

LaRoyce Hawkins does an amazing job portraying Kevin’s emotions. He is a man who has learned to live without his father, but deep inside he is still the same boy trying to impress him — or at least to forgive him for his mistakes.

That is why it makes perfect sense that it is Kevin who gets Oscar to tell the truth. He knows exactly how to get to the boy and what to say to make him confess but also feel better in such a terrible situation.

Oscar comes clean after hearing his father say having a son doesn’t mean anything to him. While it breaks our heart to see the boy cry, it hurts as even more to see Kevin’s reaction when the boy asks if he can still visit his father in jail.

Once more, Chicago P.D. ties every loose end. Kevin once was that little boy trying to see his father in prison.

After ten seasons, Chicago P.D. has gotten great at doing chasing, action, and interrogation scenes. There is no denying that.

“The Bleed Valve” should be highlighted for the camerawork as well. After they find Malik, the entire team takes a floor each to canvas for witnesses.

The transition between each of the team members asking a question and the tenants giving an answer is done smoothly and it makes us feel like we truly are witnessing the interrogation.

It also helps prove how great the team works together and the understanding they have of every case, every crime scene, and how to deal with witnesses.

Chicago P.D. Season 10 Episode 19, “The Bleed Valve,” is a great episode to showcase how far Kevin has come. He is an amazing cop who always goes the extra mile for the victims and to bring justice to his people.

But he has also become an incredible man who is aware of his surroundings, his friends, and his family. It makes for a perfectly complex character.

Hopefully, we will get more episodes in which he gets to shine.

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

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