Chicago P.D. has finally promoted one of its officers to detective, but the promotion came with some complications. As part of the test process, Deputy Chief Reid assigned Detective Suarez (guest star Elizabeth Rodriguez) as Burgess’s supervisor during the ride-along.
As their suspect began to flee, Burgess desired to remain together in order to locate him, but Suarez instructed her to separate. Consequently, Burgess had to repel an attack on her own. However, Burgess stepped in to cover for Suarez’s poor decision.
Suarez said she was going to assign Burgess back to intelligence as a detective because she’s too “nice” to go anywhere else. When pressed by Burgess, Suarez admitted that she thinks the officer is a decent cop, but she has the instincts of a patrol officer with a sergeant who protects her. If she were being honest, she’d send her to Area Central for six months to “learn how to play the game” and to make her a better detective.
Despite Ruzek’s protests, Burgess was prepared to accept the assignment when she discovered that Reid had assigned her back to intelligence as a detective. Voight didn’t know why Reid would do that, but one thing was clear: “nothing’s ever free.”
Below, star Marina Squerciati discusses Burgess’s deservingness of the promotion, the potential impact of the new title on her relationship with fiancé Ruzek, and her anticipation of the upcoming events.
“I felt great. I like to refer to the three of us as the original group. We’ve been there forever. We all deserve it. It’s satisfying that one of us gets it. It’s about time,” Squerciati said about Burgess’ promotion.
The actress believes that Burgess’s ability to maintain her heart despite the challenges she’s faced and her ability to empathize makes her an ideal candidate. “Even with the woman in this episode who is lying to her and subverting justice, she still sees a mom; she sees a woman who loves her husband and is able to still do that, and I think that’s got to be hard after so many years on the job.”
However, Squerciati admitted that Suarez’s perception of Burgess’ strengths as weaknesses “really took her by surprise.” “Like, what she considered her strengths, somebody sees as a weakness, and that’s always going to throw you… It’s what, ultimately, Suarez thinks is going to be her downfall.”
Regarding the potential impact of Burgess’ new detective title on her relationship with Ruzek, Squerciati revealed, “No, Paddy [John Flueger] was joking. He’s like, ‘I kind of like how you boss me around.’ No, not at all. Sometimes, I’ll even check in with them. I’ll be like, ‘Is that OK? Did that feel right—respectful, but also in control?’ I’ll check in with Paddy and LaRoyce [Hawkins]. It’s a delicate balance, but I believe she enjoys it while also showing respect.
However, Squerciati noted that Burgess is “devastated” by the way her promotion unfolded, with Reid assigning her back to intelligence despite her plans to go elsewhere for six months. “I think it definitely tainted it. I don’t think she’s going to go home and tell Makayla that. I think she’s going to say, ‘Mommy made it. I’m a strong, badass woman; follow your dreams.’ However, I believe that when she spends the night with Adam, she often thinks, “I didn’t want it this way.” I’ve worked so hard so long.'”
Squerciati teased that the win is “tainted” and Burgess is “waiting for the other shoe to drop,” given Voight’s warning that “nothing’s ever free.” As the actress put it, “I have no idea. What is happening? Why does he want me to be a detective [with intelligence]? I have no idea.” Fans will have to stay tuned to see how Burgess navigates her new role and the potential wrench that could be coming her way.