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'Chicago PD' Season 8: Why is Episode 3 not airing? Here's when the procedural drama will return to NBC

'Chicago PD' was scheduled to return with new episodes, however, due to the riot at the Capitol and the ongoing coverage of the incident by NBC, the midseason return will be delayed

NBC has delayed the midseason premieres of 'Chicago Med', 'Chicago PD' and 'Chicago Fire', due to continuing coverage of the riot at Capitol by pro-Trump supporters as the Senate convened to certify the election results that would officially name former vice president Joe Biden as the next President of the United States.

Supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump took over the US Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, which forced lawmakers to go into hiding just hours after Trump held a rally in Washington DC. According to Associated Press, elected representatives were forced to crouch under desks and don gas masks as police attempted to barricade the building. However, protesters were able to get through the barricades and get inside the building as the senators were taken to undisclosed locations. One woman was shot and killed inside the Capitol. The Capitol was later declared safe and the Senate has resumed the constitutionally mandated count of the election results from the states.

When will Episode 3 air?

'Chicago Fire' was scheduled to return on January 6 with new episodes, however, due to the protests and the ongoing coverage of the incident by NBC, the midseason returns of all three 'Chicago' shows will be delayed. NBC's official Twitter account wrote, "Tonight on NBC: Continuing coverage from NBC News. Originally scheduled episodes of Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago PD will air next week."

'Chicago PD' is expected to return to NBC the following week, on Wednesday, January 13, with Episode 3 that was originally scheduled to air tonight.

What to expect from Episode 3?

The official synopsis for Season 8 Episode 3 titled 'Tender Age' says: "When a child is found walking alone in the middle of the street, the team later discovers that her entire family has been murdered and that she narrowly escaped. The investigation leads to a complicated family story that hits home for the members of the Chicago PD."

It is likely that the Intelligence Unit members most affected by this episode's case will be Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) and Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), who had previously been in an on-and-off relationship and were going to expect a child together, but lost the unborn child when Burgess was viciously attacked by a criminal. Burgess's trauma was hard to watch and we think that this might come back as she helps find the criminal.

The promo for this episode had shown that Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) will be asked by the FBI to head a task force in New York. This may bring flashbacks for Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), whose last girlfriend left under the same circumstances. This time, however, will Halstead speak up and ask Upton to stay and confess his feelings for her? 

'Chicago PD' will return to NBC with new episodes on Wednesday, January 13, at 10/9c.