Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 17 Review: Transference

In the past, we have seen Atwater’s relationship fall through because he is a cop. Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 17, “Transference,” comes pretty close to doing the same because he is too focused on thinking like a police officer to realize there is more to his girlfriend’s feelings.

While his position on the case is completely understandable, it is clear that something else is pushing Val to defend Nicky. Eventually, Atwater is able to look at their relationship as a person, separating his job from their feelings.

However, if they continue the relationship, they will have to find middle ground because Atwater will continue to think and act like a cop. His job is very intertwined with his life.

When Val reminds Atwater that they had decided to have a not-too-complicated, fun, and easy relationship, we know how absurd that sounds. In over a decade, Atwater has never been able to do the fun, easygoing, no-worries relationship. He cares too deeply to disconnect himself from his partner like that.

That’s why it makes sense that he started leaving clothes at Val’s place and is concerned about her safety when they find out Nicky has been stalking her. But because Val wanted the opposite, it makes sense that it takes her time to open up about her guilt.

This disagreement on the kind of relationship they have translates into how to treat the case and how to react to Nicky’s involvement. Atwater pushes for a restraining order while Val goes to his house to talk to him. The not-too-complicated relationship is suddenly one that’s putting them in danger.

However, breaking up isn’t the answer, and they both realize that. The only solution is to be honest with one another about what they want.

As put together as Atwater seems, he reminds Val that he is also a mess. He carries his own baggage, and she would have been able to see that if she had allowed him to move their relationship to the next level.

Maybe that’s something that we will see in upcoming episodes as they’ve chosen to stay together.

The episode makes it clear that the rest of the team knew about Atwater and Val’s involvement. Voight asks Kevin how they caught the case so fast but doesn’t ask any further questions when he sees Val is the neighbor.

Kim and Adam ask how Val is doing and check in on Atwater throughout the case.

However, it is his friendship with Kim that stands out once more. She is the only one who asks him what he wants, knowing that Kevin has always put the rest of the world before himself.

While she respects Val’s desire to put a distance and how she treats the case, she reminds Kevin that he also has a say in the relationship and how things work. Yes, breaking up is acceptable, but he should fight for Val if he wants something different.

Burgess has always been honest with Atwater. Their friendship has been one of holding each other accountable while having each other’s back. That will continue to happen as long as the show is on the air.

While Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 17, “Transference,” is Atwater’s episode, it seems to set up the mood for something to happen with Torres. He is missing from the case, and when Kiana asks Kim about it, she says Torres took time off but didn’t say why.

After everything that happened with Gloria and his time undercover, Torres must be struggling with his identity. Hopefully, this is something that the show will choose to explore before the season ends.

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

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