"Seen and Unseen" ended on a high note. The Chicago PD episode wrapped up Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) deciding to focus on what matters most, which is her romance to her fiance, Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger), and the two of them decide to get a hotel for the weekend. They get a sitter for Makayla (Ramona Edith Williams), don't worry.
It was nice to see, but it was too little too late for an episode that repeated the mistakes of so many other season 12 entries. "Seen and Unseen" largely focused on Burgess working a case at a diner she frequents. It was entertaining enough, and gave Marina Squerciati a chance to flex her acting ability, but it bypassed all the emotional connections and relationships that fans have been wanting to see.
Burgess and Ruzek's engagement has been sidelined
We want to know Burgess and Ruzek are doing in the lead up to their wedding. Just like we want to know whether Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) is thinking about Nina Chapman (Sara Bues) in any way that is not plutonic. Romance is not the driving force behind Chicago PD, but the show has always been at its best when it balances the personal with the professional.
Too many season 12 episodes have relied on the latter and not the former. If you were to have missed a reference there or a callback here, you'd have no idea that Burgess and Ruzek are going to wind up at the altar by season's end. You'd also lose sight of Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins), and his on/off romance with Val Soto (Natalee Linez).
The show needs to find a better story balance
Chicago Fire and Chicago Med have done an exemplary job of balancing these two storytelling facets during the 2024-25 season. We've seen relationships fuel the action, and force characters into some tough decisions regarding their futures. It serves as motivation for the likes of Carver (Jake Lockett) or Dr. Mitch Ripley (Luke Mitchell), even when things go awry.
It's worth noting that Chicago Fire and Chicago Med have consistently drawn higher ratings among One Chicago fans. There's something to their storytelling approach, and PD, while the most focused on individual cases, could perhaps benefit from diverting some of their focus to the personal lives of its officers. Especially since two of them are on the brink of spearheading the first onscreen wedding in the show's history. Now's as good a time as ever.
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