Chicago PD season 6 midseason report: Antonio Dawson

What’s next

When Chicago PD season 6 returns in January, the first thing it’s going to do is resolve Antonio’s cliffhanger. The promo for the next new episode has already revealed how that’s going to happen, and it’s just digging a bigger hole. Things will get worse before they get better.

Or should that be if they get better? The show could take the easy route and have the whole Jason storyline wrapped up by the end of its first new episode on Jan. 9, much like how Voight was only benched for most of the season premiere. If it wants to take a risk, though, it could push this plot pretty far.

Antonio has already been questioned by the Deputy Superintendent once this season. If this cover-up doesn’t go perfectly, he could be in a world of hurt. Jon Seda isn’t leaving the show, so it’s unlikely Antonio is going to be charged with manslaughter and end up in prison, but there are still many ways he could be in trouble.

He could face professional consequences like his own suspension. He could further damage the reputation of the Intelligence Unit which, let’s be honest, isn’t that great. And that’s with all the other things that the team has managed to cover over the years.

And how far will Chicago PD play out his drug addiction? That’s not something that can magically go away in an episode. That’s a medical condition that needs treatment. If Antonio is okay after an episode or two, that would ring pretty hollow.

So realistically, there is a long road back for him to be the character that everyone loves. But will the series want to take the most realistic and most challenging path, or will it want to make us all feel better and just make Antonio Dawson whole again? There are arguments on both sides, and we’ll find out which way the plot turns next month.

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