Chicago PD season 5 by character: Antonio Dawson

How was Chicago PD season 5 for your favorite character? In this retrospective profile, we look at how Chicago PD treated Antonio Dawson this season.

As we continue to look back on Chicago PD season 5, we’re breaking down the season for each of the show’s characters.

Did your favorite character have a good season or a bad season? What were their strong points and were there any weaknesses? Was the character affected by the show’s writing, or vice versa? Where could they go from here?

Check out our detailed character breakdown, and let us know your thoughts on how this season was for each character in the comments.

In this profile, we’re looking at Chicago PD‘s returning fan favorite Antonio Dawson, played by Jon Seda.

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MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS:

Antonio moved back into Intelligence following the cancellation of Chicago Justice, and there was a bit of tension between him and Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) though it didn’t really affect the show until the end of the season.

Most of his personal development happened over on Chicago Fire, as he was on-again, off-again, on-again and off-again with ex-girlfriend Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer).

But he did have a one-night stand with a visiting cop in the Chicago PD episode “Chasing Monsters.”

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ANALYSIS:

While it was great to have Antonio Dawson still in the One Chicago universe, the character wasn’t used to his full potential in Chicago PD season 5. He could’ve used his experience working for the State’s Attorney to provide a counter-point to Intelligence’s morally grey methods, but he didn’t really wage a strenuous objection except in “Promise” and then in “Homecoming.”

It’s also never a good thing when some of a character’s best material happens on another show. We saw that with Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) last season, and it happened with Antonio this season. Chicago Fire brought back Brettonio—then had her end it, then had them hook up again, then had a pregnancy scare, then had Antonio agree to an (unseen) blind date with another woman. At least they got screen time?

And his hookup with the foreign detective made no sense, especially with him still harboring a torch for Brett. Does Antonio Dawson seem like the one-night-stand guy? And even if he was, does he fall for a woman who’s hitting on him as blatantly as some of the women who hit on Kelly Severide? We didn’t think so, but the show did. And then had him have to confront her about a murder:

PROGNOSIS:

There’s no doubt that Antonio fit right back in with the team, but there’s also no doubt that there is a lot more that can be done with him in Chicago PD season 6.

His experience, from Chicago Justice and otherwise, makes him a great counterpoint to Voight and now that Voight has understandably lost his marbles following Olinsky’s death, Antonio could help him get things back together or even step in if Voight needs time away. Someone should provide a different point of view in that room, and if it’s not going to be Hailey Upton, it should be Antonio.

Antonio’s personal life became quite a bit of a soap-opera mess last season, with how Chicago Fire went back and forth on Brettonio instead of giving the fans a clear direction or resolution of that relationship. It seems like it’s off now, based on the blind date comment, so the best thing the show could do now is to just let him be single for a while and just focus on his new role within the squad.

But really, we don’t care who he dates just as long as the show picks a direction and sticks with it. He’s a character fans love and will follow anywhere, which is a powerful trait to have on any TV show—and makes it all the more important to give him a good storyline and plenty of screen time. Let’s make use of the fact that he’s one of One Chicago’s best characters.

Next: Chicago PD's Olinsky tribute scene removed

What did you think of Chicago PD season 5 as it relates to Antonio Dawson? Let us know how you’d evaluate his season in the comments.

Chicago PD returns to NBC on Sept. 26.

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