Chicago PD season 6 character review: Hank Voight

Our prognosis

Based on this season, something different has to happen with Voight. The writers have painted themselves into that corner with the cliffhanger. The question is, will they take that leap or not? And if they do, how far will they go?

Don’t rule out Chicago PD finding some way to minimize the impact of Kelton’s murder; it wouldn’t be the first time a One Chicago show set up a huge ending and then it turned out to not be that big of a deal. But the seventh season could be a turning point for his character if the producers want to shake the show up.

Rick Eid has talked before about wanting the show to seem timely and relevant to what it means to be a police officer in Chicago. If that’s the direction the writers are intending, then Voight has to change. His no holds barred, often illegal if not immoral, methods just don’t fit into the current social climate where people expect a lot more from law enforcement. And Voight having to learn a new way to do his job might be really interesting TV, because it wouldn’t be easy for him.

Having said that, there’s a section of One Chicago fans who will say they watch Chicago PD to be entertained, and they don’t care if it’s realistic. They just want to see Voight interrogate people and be the hero. Some people might be turned off if the show starts changing him too much, so it’s a big balancing act here. Do the producers stick with what works, even if it’s starting to feel done, or do they push Voight forward and risk alienating some viewers? It’s a big choice, and both sides are valid.

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