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Chicago P.D. emerged in an era of television when audiences were developing a taste for darker, serialized crime dramas and procedural shows that offered compelling character arcs. Chicago P.D. stands out amongst the shows coming from the One Chicago universe.
A spin-off of Chicago Fire, the series grew popular with its exploration of the Chicago Police Department’s Intelligence Unit. Each episode offers a mix of moral dilemmas, character evolutions, and high-stakes investigations.
At the center of it all is Sergeant Hank Voight, portrayed with profound intensity by Jason Beghe. Hank Voight’s character comes from Chicago Fire, but we find him in Chicago P.D. as a gruff, emotionally hardened leader who often breaks the law to seek justice. Voight is not the clean hero we are used to seeing. He operates in a morally grey zone and walks any length to protect his team and his city.
Voight is first introduced in Chicago Fire as an antagonist who, in an effort to protect his son, covers up his crime. But once he takes the lead, we see a more complex man. One who had a dark past marked by the death of his father at just 8 years of age.
8 Chicago P.D. episodes that changed everything for Hank Voight
1.Homecoming (Season 5, Episode 22)
Season 5 of Chicago P.D. had one of the most gut-wrenching conclusions. Voight's longtime friend Alvin Olinsky gets stabbed fatally in the prison while taking the fall for Voight’s killing of Kevin Bingham. The team struggles to cope, and Voight faces increasing pressure from Denny Woods.
Voight tries hard and finally exposes Woods and his lies. This leads to his arrest for witness tampering. Voight breaks into tears because even though the man is arrested, the win feels empty to him.
He cries,
“I’m sorry, Al. So sorry.”
2. What Do You Do? (Season 2, Episode 15)
Kim Burgess, the rookie officer, sets out with partner Roman on an emergency duty call. But this soon turns into a terrifying hostage situation that slowly moves towards a life-or-death situation. Burgess is trapped inside. Now the responsibility of rescue falls on the police department. It is here that Hank Voight truly shines, albeit from a distance.
In this episode of Chicago P.D., Hank Voight takes a towering command of the operations with his signature, strong-willed decisions. It is reflected in his voice when he speaks over the radio. Overriding the negotiation tactics, he instead bet everything on his gut instincts. The scene is nail-biting, and the viewers get a raw demonstration of why his team, despite his methods, trusts him with their lives.
3. Start Digging (Season 3, Episode 23)
A widowed murder is killed, and the team stumbles upon a surprising link while investigating—Justin knew the deceased woman. The suspicion starts to grow around Justin, and Voight senses it. From here the case becomes extremely personal for Voight; he has to choose between his paternal instinct and his duty to protect the city.
Voight, on the other hand, is offered a promotion to lieutenant in Chicago P.D.; this move recognizes his work, but as personal vendettas appear, the viewers share his dilemma. He ends up turning it down.
4. Closure (Season 9, Episode 1)
Officer Kim Burgess is in a life-and-death battle at Chicago Med after being kidnapped. Maykala and Ruzek are both struggling with this incident. Meanwhile, Sergeant Hank Voight and Detective Hailey Upton have a fight over the actions from the previous night, where Upton killed Burgess' assailant, Roy Walton.
It was Voight who got rid of the body with his organized cleaning of the crime scene. Voight's quick handling and calculated approach in this episode ensured that both his and Upton's careers remained safe. This situation tested Voight and put him in a tough scenario in Chicago P.D.
5. More (Season 11, Episode 13)
In this episode, the Intelligence unit has to race against time to locate and save Sergeant Hank Voight. Voight gets abducted by Frank Matson, the notorious serial killer under search. Voight was drugged at a bar and then abducted on his way home by Matson.
We see Voight, a man of resilience, hold himself up even in this unfavorable situation. He fights with all of his energy to survive, desperately hoping his team finds him before Matson kills him. This episode highlights his resilience.
6. Reform (Season 5, Episode 1)
In this episode, Hank is devastated when he discovers that Denny, his former partner, has returned and is now a rank higher than him. This episode also focuses on the changes occurring inside the Intelligence Team; Jay Halstead has to cope with the vacancy left by Erin Lindsay and has to adjust to Hailey Upton. Meanwhile, the team is investigating a gang war in which a child died accidentally. Halsted is blamed for this.
Under severe pressure from Lieutenant Denny Woods, Voight asks Dawson for a favor. Erin Lindsay was like a surrogate daughter to Voight. Her departure created a void in Voight's life, as he had taken her under his wing when she was pretty young.
7. Reckoning (Season 6, Episode 22)
The Intelligence unit takes the lead and acts to stop Brian Kelton from becoming the mayor. Kelton was a corrupt figure who took illegal campaign contributions. But things go haywire after Voight's trusted source against Kelton is found murdered. This does not stop the team, who, under Voight's guidance, continue to stop Kelton from getting the position.
Meanwhile, Internal Affairs's findings trigger a confrontation with Voight. The climax arrives when Kelton is found dead from a gunshot, and Voight is seen driving away from the scene. Ruzek is arrested after taking the blame for Voight's actions. This episode showed how far Voight was ready to go for his team.
8. Due Process (Season 8, Episode 12)
The Intelligence Unit is chasing a serial rapist and murderer who wipes out every trace of his existence from the crime scenes. Deputy Superintendent Miller directs everyone to follow protocol, but Voight's ways come in direct opposition to this direction.
Miller also insists Voight find a suspended detective and let him lead the investigation. While she's helpful, Voight notices she is becoming too involved. This episode positions Voight not just as a gruff cop but as a perceptive individual who sees how individual cases may affect those who work with him.
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Hank is uncompromising and gruff, but his story is undeniably compelling. These episodes are the exact turning points that deepened his character and added nuances to his journey. Chicago P.D., through Voight, offers the viewers a glimpse into the heart of a man who is at war with himself.
Also read: 8 times Law & Order: SVU shocked viewers with its plot twists
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