Chicago P.D.
Chicago P.D. (2014) is a police procedural television series, the second installment in Dick Wolf's successful Chicago franchise. Set in the city of Chicago, the series follows the uniformed patrol officers and the elite Intelligence Unit of the 21st District of the Chicago Police Department. Their primary mission is to combat the city's most formidable offenses, including organized crime, drug trafficking, high-profile murders, and other large-scale felonies, often operating in morally ambiguous territory to achieve justice.
Concerns
Violence
HighThe series consistently portrays a high level of violence, integral to its police procedural genre. This includes graphic depictions of various crimes, intense physical altercations, and frequent character deaths, often with visceral detail.
Detective Erin Lindsay is shown sticking her gun down a pedophile's throat in an interrogation room, a highly intense and violent act reflecting the severity of the crimes investigated. The show features numerous character deaths, including main and recurring figures like Julie Willhite, Nadia Decotis, Alvin 'Al' Olinsky, Sheldon Jin, and Justin Voight, often as a result of violent criminal acts or police operations. Justin Voight, for example, was killed in the Season 3 finale while attempting to help a friend.
Substance Use
HighSubstance use, particularly illegal drug use, drug trafficking, and addiction, is a frequent and central theme in Chicago P.D. The show often depicts the distribution, consumption, and severe consequences of various illicit substances.
The Intelligence Unit's primary focus includes combating 'drug trafficking,' leading to numerous episodes where illegal drugs, their production, and distribution are central plot points. Antonio Dawson's character arc in later seasons includes a significant storyline involving his struggle with painkiller addiction, which ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the unit. Scenes frequently show drug paraphernalia and the devastating impact of addiction on individuals and communities, highlighting the grim reality of substance abuse.
Scary & Intense Content
HighChicago P.D. contains consistently high levels of scary and intense content. The nature of the series, focusing on violent crime and dangerous police work, creates a perpetual atmosphere of suspense, peril, and often disturbing thematic elements.
The series regularly features life-threatening situations for the main characters, including shootouts, hostage crises, and direct confrontations with dangerous criminals. Investigations often delve into disturbing criminal acts, such as those involving pedophile rings, with Erin Lindsay's past as a victim's guardian and her violent response to a suspect highlighting the show's intense thematic depth. The frequent deaths of both recurring and main characters throughout the series contribute to a high level of emotional intensity and uncertainty, making the narrative consistently frightening and suspenseful.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumChicago P.D. features and references several LGBTQ+ characters across its run and in its shared universe with other 'Chicago' shows. Representation includes gay, lesbian, and transgender characters, with some storylines addressing their experiences or relationships within the crime procedural context.
Kyle Harvey is an 18-year-old character identified as part of the LGBTQ community, and was placed in a house for LGBTQ community members after a suicide attempt. Leslie Shay, an openly lesbian paramedic from Chicago Fire, is mentioned in a Chicago P.D. episode as a partner of Antonio Dawson's sister, Gabriella, establishing her presence in the shared universe. Brian Michael Smith, a transgender man, portrayed Roland Garrett in a Chicago P.D. episode titled 'Snitch' (2017), introducing a transgender character to the series. Additionally, Denise Lockwood, a trans woman from Chicago Med, appears in crossover episodes, further expanding LGBTQ+ representation.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumChicago P.D. includes significant romantic relationships and implied sexual content among its characters. While explicit sexual acts are typically avoided for network television, suggestive scenes, passionate kissing, and references to intimate relationships are frequent.
The relationship between Jay Halstead and Erin Lindsay evolved into an 'intimate relationship at various times' even before they officially dated, often kept secret due to fraternization rules within the unit. In Season 1, Adam Ruzek and his then-fiancée Wendy are described as sending 'racy photos of each other back and forth.' Additionally, the show depicts various romantic entanglements, such as the on-again, off-again relationship between Adam Ruzek and Kim Burgess, which included a pregnancy and its loss. Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton's relationship also progresses to marriage, with kissing scenes depicted.
Profanity
MediumThe series utilizes moderate profanity, consistent with a TV-14 rating for a police drama. While it generally avoids the most explicit curse words frequently, milder forms of profanity are regularly used by characters in stressful or intense situations.
Characters frequently use milder curse words such as 'damn,' 'hell,' and 'crap' to express frustration or emphasize statements, particularly during investigations or confrontations. Discussions among fans indicate that while the language is 'very PG' for a police show, some feel that 'rough language is really needed in some certain scenes,' suggesting that the existing profanity is present but not overly explicit compared to R-rated content.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumDisrespect and rebellion are prevalent themes, particularly through the character of Sergeant Hank Voight and his unit. The show often explores morally ambiguous methods employed by law enforcement, sometimes operating outside established protocols or directly defying bureaucratic oversight.
Sergeant Hank Voight is renowned for his 'intimidating presence' and 'blurred lines between right and wrong,' frequently employing unorthodox and sometimes legally questionable methods to achieve justice, which can be seen as a form of rebellion against strict police procedures. Erin Lindsay's background as a 'juvenile delinquent' taken under Voight's wing suggests a past of rebellious behavior that shaped her character and her willingness to bend rules. The Intelligence Unit often faces situations where they must choose between following strict protocols and achieving a desired outcome, leading to instances of defiance towards internal affairs or other authority figures.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no evidence to suggest that Chicago P.D. features themes of witchcraft, sorcery, the occult, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural elements. The series remains firmly within the police procedural genre, focusing on realistic crime and law enforcement.
No specific examples or storylines involving witchcraft or occult practices were found in reviews or plot summaries of the series. The show's narrative is centered on real-world criminal investigations and the challenges faced by law enforcement.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThere is no indication of explicit anti-Christian themes in Chicago P.D. The series focuses on crime, law enforcement, and the personal lives of police officers, and does not typically engage with religious themes or commentary on Christianity.
No specific episodes, characters, or plotlines were identified that mock, insult, or otherwise depict anti-Christian sentiments. The show's narrative scope is primarily secular, dealing with the realities of urban crime and police work.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The series is recommended for mature audiences, specifically 14 years and older (TV-14), due to frequent depictions of intense violence, mature thematic elements including drug use and addiction, implied sexual content, and strong language.
Additional Notes
The show is part of the 'One Chicago' franchise, and characters and storylines frequently cross over between Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, and Chicago Med, sharing a cohesive universe and thematic elements. The portrayal of police tactics and the criminal justice system can be intense and may not always align with real-world procedures, offering a dramatized perspective.
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