Is Detective Kim Burgess about to learn that promotions in the Intelligence Unit come with strings attached? In “Pawns,” Burgess finally gets the recognition she deserves, but her ascension to detective raises some unsettling questions. This episode puts Burgess squarely in the spotlight, exploring notions of loyalty, ambition, and the sometimes murky waters of police work.
Burgess’s promotion isn’t a simple victory lap. The introduction of IA Officer Reid (Shawn Hatosy) throws a wrench into the works. His intense scrutiny of Burgess, paired with his unusual request for Sanchez to partner with her during a ride-along, sets off alarm bells. Is Reid genuinely interested in evaluating Burgess’s performance, or is there a hidden agenda at play? Sanchez’s palpable anxiety suggests something’s amiss, and her questionable decisions to close the case quickly only add to the suspicion. Is she under pressure from Reid, or is she simply trying to protect her own career?
The dynamic between Burgess and Sanchez offers a fascinating glimpse into the different paths women carve in law enforcement. Sanchez’s advice to Burgess to “toughen up” highlights the generational divide and differing perspectives on what it takes to succeed in a male-dominated field. While Sanchez’s words may come from a place of experience, they also reveal a potential resentment towards Burgess’s seemingly smoother journey. Burgess’s close-knit relationship with her unit, something Sanchez seems to view as a weakness, becomes a point of contention. This clash of ideologies adds an extra frisson of tension to Burgess’s promotion, forcing her to question whether she needs to sacrifice her values to climb the ladder.
While the overarching mystery of the car parts operation and its connection to Gloria keeps the plot moving, “Pawns” truly shines in its exploration of Burgess’s personal and professional struggles. The heartwarming moments with Mak and Ruzek remind us of the strong support system she has outside of the unit. Ruzek’s near panic at the thought of Burgess leaving Intelligence underscores the depth of their bond and hints at the exciting developments to come as their wedding approaches.
But the lingering question remains: has Voight inadvertently put Burgess in a compromising position by bringing her back to Intelligence? Did political maneuvering play a role in her promotion, and will she be forced to make difficult choices to maintain her loyalty to Voight and the unit? The closing moments of “Pawns” leave us with a sense of unease, a feeling that Burgess’s new rank might come at a higher cost than she anticipated.
Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 6 “New Blood” airs Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 10/9c on NBC.
