‘Chicago P.D.’ Recap: ‘The After’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

CHICAGO P.D. -- "The After" Episode 12004 -- Pictured: (l-r) Jason Beghe as Sgt. Hank Voight, Sara Bues as Asa Chapman -- (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)

​Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 12004 of ‘Chicago P.D.’ To revisit the previous episode, click here. This article also contains discussions of sexual assault, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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One unfortunate truth that we don’t like to discuss in life when it comes to crime, is that sometimes the bad guys win, and we hate to say that aloud… because we’ve invested so much into making sure they don’t. Courtesy of a judicial system that removes any doubt regarding who committed the crime in question. Not to mention there are technologies beyond our wildest dreams that help us place the criminal in the moment and at the location of the crime. Plus, there are a bevy of dedicated law enforcement officers out there who do work hard to put together the case in question. But now and again, the bad guys just manage to sneak away, or they figure out how to beat the system, and the good guys have to live with that, and try to move on with the knowledge in hand that justice was NOT served.  

But what if… the officer or officers in question… enjoyed a second chance at bringing that same villain to justice? Would they ignore the letter of the law and do what must be done to win a conviction? Or would they trust the process wouldn’t fail them a second time? Well, those are questions that are explored in the next episode of Chicago P.D. on NBC. For ‘The After’ saw Sergeant Hank Voight deal with quite the unsettling surprise. For a call came in that immediately reminded him of a case from the past. For fifteen years ago, a wily and savage serial assaulter, harmed six women in a manner that left no evidence behind, and before Voight could figure out the culprit the long way round, the assaults just stopped, and no justice was served in the slightest.

But in this instance, the evidence resembled that case to a tee, and that prompted Voight to have his team go for broke in finding this guy. Because there was a real chance the monster resurfaced and could be brought to justice and this time around, clues came pouring in. Especially when another victim, one that did not fit the monster’s MO made it clear… the original offender was pulling strings and having a lackey do his dirty work for him. Which meant, there would be enough evidence to finally narrow down who this bastard was and how best to bring him down, and just like that… a name and a face was pegged in this case at last, and just like that… the system failed Voight. Because just like last time, there was not enough evidence to secure a search warrant for the monster’s home. Which left the sarge more determined than ever to find the right clue.

However, a surprise move on Asa’s part, managed to secure the warrant and finally bring justice to this case. Since Voight was able to not only save the life of that monster’s latest victim… but be the one to put him down with a justified shooting, and the aftermath of the end of 15 years of hell, explored the answers to our questions. In that, it’s yes to both. For Voight stuck with the process and the law, knowing full well that there was a real chance for failure, whereas Asa chose to break the rules to get this case solved. In large part because she revealed that she’s in love with Voight and wanted to do right by him. So, in the end, it is clear that it depends upon the person, and how badly they want to influence a particular outcome and that… is the most human resolution possible because those are decisions that play out in real life, in our everyday world.

For there are cops that do both things and well, that means this episode basically speaks to the duality of man. Of how we sometimes make unique choices because of our emotions and how some of us make choices because of what we believe in and that made, for a powerful episode. One that truly offered up a compelling and stunning case for the team to handle. Because this week’s criminal was about as disgusting as they come, and in some ways, the case at hand and that monster’s actions speak to the nature of generational evil in our world and how it is indeed learned, and really, all of these elements brought forth… just an incredible tale. One that left us with plenty to ponder upon and some positivity to look forward to, since Voight now has something to explore romantically when Asa returns from her RICO case. Until next time.

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