'Chicago PD' Season 7 Finale: Kevin Atwater combats injustice and fans are ready to fight for him
Spoilers for 'Chicago PD' Season 7 Episode 20 'Silence of the Night'
'Chicago PD' may not be the best when it comes to telling stories of injustice against communities of color often. However, when they give Detective Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) something to fight for, viewers often get great episodes. In this week's episode, one of Atwater's old foes return and like the last time, Officer Tom Doyle (Mickey O'Sullivan) racially profiles black people. However, this time he ends up dead.
When Atwater learns the truth that Doyle killed an innocent black man, he debates whether he should tell the truth about what happened to Internal Affairs. Eventually, he decides to do so, and this might mean Atwater will have to face some serious consequences in the next season for fighting for what he believes in.
However, fans love that Atwater stood up for justice and told the truth with many agreeing that this week's finale was one of the best episodes of 'Chicago PD'. One fan wrote, "Ohhhhhh snap!!!!! Atwater #ChicagoPD It's about to get real! This episode reflected the dilemma that [dark-skinned]/POC police officers experience every day. Follow the code, even under the threat of an institutionally racist system [that] hurts them. The show was groundbreaking."
Fans praised Hawkins' performance. One fan tweeted, "Tonight's episode was powerful. They better leave Atwater alone! Great performance by @RoycedaVoyce." Another wrote, "@RoycedaVoyce is incredible oh my GOD. he kills the material he’s given every single time!! my heart with Kevin Atwater always."
A fan opined, "Oh Chicago PD just went out with a bang for the season finale. Atwater wants all smoke, I know that." One viewer tweeted, "One of the best episodes of #ChicagoPD yet. Atwater got out of the car ready to fuck someone up."
Viewers are excited to see what comes next for Kevin Atwater. One fan tweeted, "DAMN RIGHT KEVIN, [NOWHERE]. Kevin Atwater got smoke for whoever wants it. I ain’t never wanted to jump into a tv so bad cause I’m ready to fight and get s**t pop’n for Kevin, let’s go Kev!" Another wrote, "Wow! I can't wait to see what is going to happen next season. Atwater has a major fight on his hands."
Fans are also ready to fight on Kevin Atwater's behalf and hope that nothing bad happens to him. A viewer wrote, "Kevin Atwater. Kevin freaking Atwater! He deserves EVERYTHING that is good and pure in this world and I'll fight anyone that says otherwise."
Many fans also agreed that Atwater's plotline was important and necessary. A viewer wrote, "Can’t express how relieved I am that Atwater told the truth. it was so so important and this storyline is going to be so impactful #ChicagoPD."