5 ways Chicago PD season 7 must fix Burzek this time

5) Past is past

When it comes to Burzek, Chicago PD has to remember the classic saying, “What’s past is past.” In order for Adam Ruzek and Kim Burgess to work as a legit couple again, the two of them need to be willing to put the past behind them—not just their own past together; but their individual pasts as well.

They can and should learn lessons from their old relationships, but there’s no need for the Chicago PD writers to harp on them. When Ruzek was with Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos), half of that plotline was waiting for Burgess to find out; Upzek never felt like a developed pairing. If he and Burgess get back together, the writers had better not spend too much time focusing on Upton’s reaction, or the awkwardness around the office; let this relationship re-develop on its own.

Viewers saw the past hamper Burgess and Ruzek throughout their first relationship, especially in “Debts of the Past” where Burgess learned about Ruzek’s previous engagements. His romantic past is a long one, including the fact that he was still with someone else when he first kissed Kim, and it would be easy for Chicago PD to get caught up in all that baggage.

Adam and Kim have matured since then, and both been generally successful in not letting their prior entanglements derail their judgement on the job. They’ve also managed to rebuild their friendship over the last two seasons; even post-breakup, they were still there for each other. It’d be good for them to look forward, and not back—because back is a very long and complicated road down which little good lies.

But this is really more about the Chicago PD writing staff. Relationships have become a huge part of the show, particularly over the last two seasons, and if the writers are going to put Burzek back on the table they need to do something different. Don’t rehash the past. Don’t look back at those couple of false starts where fans’ heartstrings got yanked. The best way to prove to fans that the show is serious, is for Chicago PD to put serious effort into Burzek’s future.

If any One Chicago pairing deserves a second chance, it’s Burgess and Ruzek. Hopefully, Chicago PD season 7 will do a better job with Burzek the second time around.

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