Chicago P.D.‘s Season 12 did not finish the way in which one would assume an episode referred to as “Vows” would, particularly with the marriage, lastly, of Burzek. As an alternative, the long-awaited second grew to become a footnote within the bigger narrative surrounding Voight (Jason Beghe) taking down Reid (Shawn Hatosy), returning to his outdated tips as an alternative of holding his phrase about working inside the regulation, shifting the ethical compass of the unit as an entire. What the Intelligence Unit wants is a determine that may restore that ethical compass, keep watch over Voight, and even stand as much as him if want be. Does such a unicorn exist? Sure, and his identify is Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda).
Antonio Dawson Begins as Voight’s Second-in-Command in ‘Chicago P.D.’
Antonio Dawson joined the Intelligence Unit in “Stepping Stone,” the pilot episode of Chicago P.D., recruited out of the Vice Squad due to his expertise at undercover work. He wasn’t an unknown within the One Chicago franchise, nevertheless, having appeared within the third episode of Chicago Hearth‘s first season, working interference with the CFD after Voight’s son Justin (Josh Segarra) obtained right into a drunk-driving accident. Issues did not begin effectively for his time in Intelligence, when his accomplice, Julie (Melissa Sagemiller), was tragically killed proper in entrance of him whereas pursuing crime boss Adres “Pulpo” Diaz (Arturo Del Puerto).
Diaz did not cease there, kidnapping Dawson’s son Diego (Zach Garcia) in Episode 2. Whereas he was rescued, the act positioned a rift between him and his spouse, Laura (America Olivo), which might solely deepen after Dawson is shot and significantly wounded by Diaz in “My Method,” the thirteenth episode of that first season. The ultimate straw was Dawson returning to work shortly after, when she wished him to stop and have the household transfer nearer to her sister in Illinois. Ultimately, Laura took up and left with the children whereas Dawson was at work, leaving him with an empty home and a letter on the desk. The following divorce would play a big a part of Dawson’s narrative all through his time on the hit NBC sequence.
Antonio Dawson Units Himself Up as ‘Chicago P.D.’s Ethical Compass
Whereas Voight was (and is) not above working outdoors the regulation to realize justice, Dawson is the alternative, proving himself to be the ethical compass of the group when his commanding officer skirts it away. That is most evident within the storyline that begins in Season 5’s “Homecoming.” Olinsky (Elias Koteas), the Intelligence Unit officer in jail after being linked with the homicide of the person who killed Voight’s son (taking the proverbial bullet for Voight), is killed in jail after being stabbed by an inmate, doing so on the request of Carlos DeLeon (Jason Martinez). When the inmate is discovered severely overwhelmed and left bleeding on the ground, Dawson approaches Voight, who lies at first however admits that he did it, and if Dawson did not prefer it, he might take himself off the investigation.
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Voight hunts down Carlos, confronting him on a rooftop. Carlos, unarmed, begs for his life, however Voight shoots him anyway — twice —later saying he was reaching for a gun. Dawson finds a gun, however two witnesses noticed Voight kill the person “in chilly blood.” Dawson tries to search out out the reality, placing him at odds with Ruzek (Patrick Flueger), who sees it as a well-deserved finish for the person answerable for Olinsky’s loss of life.When Dawson known as earlier than the Police Board to speak about what occurred, he solutions honestly, resulting in a struggle between him and Ruzek. Safety footage in the end clears Voight, however Dawson has proved that he’s unwilling to interrupt his morality, even when it means inserting a fellow officer earlier than the board. That power of character results in a mutual respect between the 2.
Antonio Dawson Has a Surprising Arc on ‘Chicago P.D.’
In Season 6, Dawson is injured within the line of obligation, and develops an habit to painkillers whereas treating it. He provides safety to a drug vendor in alternate for drugs, however the man will get arrested anyway, main his brother to kidnap Dawson’s daughter in revenge. Dawson tracks him down, and in a drug-fueled rage, shoves the person out of a window. The out-of-character act alarms Voight, who confronts Dawson about it. He confesses that he’s an addict, and consequently, Ruzek takes duty for the person’s loss of life whereas Dawson is ordered to rehab. On his return, the disgrace of leaving Ruzek to take the blame is overwhelming, and within the Season 6 finale, he relapses on painkillers. Within the Season 7 premiere, it is realized that Voight took Dawson to an off-book rehab middle, and in Episode 3 it is realized that Dawson resigned and moved to Puerto Rico to be with household.
It was a surprising finish for a fan-favorite character, one who deserved a greater send-off than what he obtained. Now, with the brand new season approaching, Chicago P.D. has an opportunity to proper that fallacious. Seda, for one, is open to a return, saying that, “so long as the present continues to be going, I am prepared at any time. Antonio continues to be alive. In the event that they ever wished me to come back again for an episode, or come again, or no matter, I would be completely up for it. I’ve realized to by no means say by no means.”
There isn’t any motive why he could not come again. The query is, ought to he? And the reply is a definitive sure. The Intelligence Unit has simply gone by way of a tumultuous season, and Voight has, as soon as once more, resorted to illicit means to realize so-called “justice.” The staff has misplaced its method, and the return of Dawson, a person totally in management as soon as once more, would carry it again in the direction of an ethical centrality. He additionally would not be afraid to name Voight out for his actions in opposition to Reid, and after evading repercussions for thus lengthy, perhaps it is time somebody did.
- Launch Date
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January 8, 2014
- Community
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NBC
- Showrunner
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Derek Haas
- Administrators
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Nick Gomez, Eriq La Salle, Carl Seaton, Fred Berner, Vincent Misiano, Bethany Rooney, Rohn Schmidt, Sanford Bookstaver, John Hyams, Nicole Rubio, Terry Miller, Takashi Doscher, Brenna Malloy, Lisa Robinson, Marc Roskin, Charles S. Carroll, David Rodriguez, Holly Dale, John Polson, Lin Oeding, Mykelti Williamson, Paul McCrane, Alik Sakharov, Charlotte Brändström
- Writers
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Craig Gore, Tim Walsh, Timothy J. Sexton, Mike Weiss, Mo Masi, Tiller Russell, Eduardo Javier Canto, Jamie Pachino, Mike Batistick, Cole Maliska, John Dove, Tiffany Bratcher, David Hoselton, Maisha Closson, Kim Rome, Katherine Visconti, Daniel Arkin, Todd Robinson, David Rambo, Denitria Harris-Lawrence, Mick Betancourt, Bryan Gracia
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Marina Squerciati
Kim Burgess