Chicago P.D. Season 13 Episode 7 Review: Impulse Control

Chicago P.D. Season 13 Episode 7, “Impulse Control,” brings back Chicago P.D. Season 13 Episode 4, “Root Cause,” quite fast, making sure viewers haven’t forgotten anything about Raymond Bell. With how the episode ends, the entire hiatus will be spent thinking about him.

We will likely also be thinking about Imani. Her hot-headed temper might have just gotten her in trouble, but it might also be what brings Bell into custody.

While we understand why Voight told her to control herself, it sounds hypocritical coming from him. He spends the entire episode unable to control his emotions and going after Bell even when the evidence is lacking.

However, both Voight and Imani may have a deeper reason as to why they keep going after Bell. Imani’s is highly connected with the missing sister story we have yet to learn more about.

Voight’s reason, on the other hand, is obviously connected to the photo of himself and the message about his abusive father. A storyline that seems to have only scratched the surface.

It makes sense that Devlin is the one behind the messages. Ever since he first appeared on Chicago P.D., he has been trying to bring Voight down.

The question is, why choose that photo? Why bring back such a terrible memory when the bad guy seems to be Voight’s father?

This storyline is clearly only just beginning, but it poses questions in the viewers’ minds. What actually happened to Voight?

If Voight was abused by his father, why wasn’t this something that was brought up during the crossovers with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit? It would have made his reactions in the crossovers more reasonable.

Hopefully, we will come to learn exactly what happened in his life.

Even though Voight’s behavior on Chicago P.D. Season 13 Episode 7, “Impulse Control,” feels obsessive, his obsessions have never been wrong. That is probably why Burgess decides to indulge him and get him the information he needs.

Truthfully, they all know if Voight is acting on a hunch, there has to be something behind it. And they also know he would do it for them.

Everything about Bell screams danger, Voight’s not wrong there. What is wrong, however, is the social worker’s reaction and behavior.

If she hadn’t stopped Imani from asking more questions when there was clearly something wrong, then maybe Julie wouldn’t have gone missing.

What really stands out on Chicago P.D. Season 13 Episode 7, “Impulse Control,” is how the sequence of Bell’s interrogation is filmed. Starting with Voight narrating what they will do is a great decision on the editors’ part.

Chicago P.D. has always been great with transitions, and this episode is no exception. The transitions between each team member questioning Bell, bringing up a different victim, and repeating themselves are perfect.

It is even perfect to have Kevin order food, have it delivered, and have Dante eat behind Voight as they watch the interrogation. Those are just tiny details that give us a sense of how much time the team spent on the case.

It is also great to see Voight in his element, pretending to make mistakes in order to get Bell to speak. He knows exactly what he is doing, and that’s why we can say Voight has been pushing the show forward for 13 seasons.

Stray Thoughts

• The new lawyer asking Voight why he doesn’t go to Champán and him saying she is busy is a great acknowledgment of what their relationship has come to be. There’s a trust there that has been broken, and he can no longer count on her.
• Torres having Morgan’s photo on his desk looks like a nod to the fact that the case isn’t over yet, and he will fight for justice.

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

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