Chicago PD’s Upton and Ruzek: Should they stay or split?

Why they should break up

The Upton and Ruzek relationship is the definition of “out of left field.” It felt like something that the Chicago PD writers came up with for shock value, and it started on kind of a cliche note. Why do so many TV characters—not just on this show—cope with grief or shock by getting drunk and sleeping together?

Audiences haven’t had a chance to see why these two belong together. Some ships are so heavy-handed that it’s obvious they’re there just to get together; Chicago PD has the opposite problem of not explaining enough. Many people probably didn’t even think of them as a potential couple. The viewers have to care about every ship, and right now, this isn’t a pairing that feels like it has to be part of the show.

Just look at how Upton reacted during “Fathers and Sons.” Ruzek’s father had been shot and he had just discovered his dad was financially struggling. The show could’ve done so much more with Upton there if she really loved him; instead, their interaction at the hospital didn’t seem like more than some friendly concern.

And remember, this is a guy who’s now been engaged three times; all of his relationships should be taken with a grain of salt.

Plus, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Chicago PD frustrated a sizable segment of its fans. The show teased the idea of a Burgess and Ruzek reunion, but then abruptly pushed that aside. Even if you weren’t a Burzek shipper, that’s some awkward writing—and it prompts the question of why should fans then invest their time in Upzek? Or will that get cut off too if the writers come up with an even better idea?

This was executed awkwardly, and it just hasn’t clicked the way a good ship should, yet at least.