Chicago PD preview: What to expect in season 11, episode 5

After being off the air for two weeks, Chicago P.D. returns on Wednesday, February 21. The break was noticeable and we're just glad that it's over.

Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) has spot-on instincts and he relies on them a lot to execute his duties and stay alive. His read on most people seldom fails him, which has proven to be a great asset. But even the greatest of instincts are prone to failure because of bias.

Coming off hot from a Torres-centric episode, Chicago P.D. shifts focus to another member of the team in Chicago P.D. season 11 episode 5, "Split Second." Atwater leads a case that challenges everything he thinks about himself.

Robbers attack jewelry stores

The episode's official promo is short and sweet, reading: A string of jewelry store robberies shakes Atwater's confidence.

The fact that robbers would target a jewelry store does not come as a surprise because these stores carry valuable inventory that makes the mouths of robbers water. What makes it interesting is that this is not an isolated event.

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Atwater witnesses one such robbery go down and one thing becomes clear. These robbers are ruthless and would not hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way. The robbery that Atwater witnesses leaves several victims in its wake, and coupled with how frequent the robberies are, the team has no option but to take the case.

The robbers have been able to get away scot-free in previous instances, meaning that the operation is well-planned and bulletproof. Just how bulletproof it is becomes clear to Atwater when the team dives into the investigation and it dawns on him that the one witness on the scene lied to him.

A witness lies to Atwater

When the ordeal ends, Kevin interviews one woman who was also on the scene and saw everything unfold when asked if she saw the robbers, she feigns innocence. But while reviewing security footage later, Intelligence realizes that she lied to them. She saw the robbers and covered for them.

There is no definite proof that she saw the robbers apart from the subjective angles in the footage and instincts so if the case went to court, it would be their world against hers. But even before getting that far, Intelligence needs to stop more robberies and deaths.

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The team is in for a shock of a lifetime when they learn that their innocent witness is hiding more than they could have imagined. They set on doing what they do best, and that's squeeze until the pips squeak.

On a more personal note

Being Atwater-centric, the episode can be expected to dive into his personal life which we haven't seen much of since the previous season. After Halstead's exit, Atwater took over the reins of training Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) in the ways of the unit and this episode teases a collaboration between them.

Will Atwater introspect on what a decision he makes without thinking about longer means of who he has become? Will it lead him to greater truths about his job as a police officer and a Black man in America?

Don't forget to tune into Once Chicago this Wednesday on NBC.