Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 2 recap: What happens in 'Blood Bleeds Blue' and more

Season 12 of Chicago P.D. opened with a bang, with the Intelligence Unit facing a deadly situation. And it episode ended with a cliffhanger as Emily Martel, the newest member of the team, was shot, and the team was hot on the trail of the shooter.

With the setup from the premiere, viewers were expecting high-stakes drama and intense action. The team had to find out who shot Martel and bring the culprit to justice. Plus, with Officer Kiana Cook introduced as a series regular, fans were curious to see how she’d fit into the team.

Unfortunately, the episode didn't live up to these expectations. Keep reading this article to know about Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 2.

Blood Bleeds Blue: Chicago P.D. Episode overview

Adam Ruzek - Chicago PD (Image Source - NBC)

In this episode, the Intelligence Unit deals with the abduction of a two-year-old child while continuing its hunt for Martel's shooter. The suspect, Roy Darrow, is revealed to have a chilling plan, to kill his sons and then take his own life. This adds a layer of urgency to the case, but the episode struggles to build the kind of tension that Chicago PD is known for.

Emily Martel and Kiana Cook were two important characters in this episode, but neither made a lasting impression. Martel’s shooting should have been a dramatic turning point, but viewers didn’t know her well enough to care deeply. Officer Cook (Toya Turner) is also introduced, but her character feels underdeveloped. She has the typical tough-cop persona, but nothing about her stands out yet.

This episode felt like a pale version of the tension-filled, emotional stories that Chicago PD has done in the past. The problem wasn’t the story itself, but how it was told.

Ruzek in Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 2

Adam Ruzek (played by Patrick John Flueger) takes center stage in Blood Bleeds Blue. Ruzek is dealing with the trauma of having a partner shot in front of him. Flueger gives a solid performance, but the episode’s focus on him, without involving the rest of the team meaningfully, makes the story feel disconnected.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the episode is Ruzek's struggle to talk to Kim Burgess. Ruzek avoids her calls, saying he can’t bear to speak to her because of their shared history with Martel. But here's the problem: viewers never got to see any significant interactions between Burgess and Martel. Without that backstory, the moment falls flat. It’s hard to feel the loss of a character that we didn’t really know.

Why didn't Chicago P.D. Season 12 Episode 2 meet fans' expectations?

The show has done similar storylines earlier, with main characters getting shot or injured, but those episodes felt intense and cohesive. Remember when Antonio Dawson's partner was killed in Season 1? Blood Bleeds Blue tries to recreate that magic, but falls short.

One of the things that makes Chicago PD great is the chemistry between the members of the Intelligence Unit. In this episode, though, that chemistry is missing. While Ruzek and Cook spend a lot of time together, the rest of the team is sidelined.

Officer Kiana Cook is a new major character, but her introduction is underwhelming. We learn that she spent years on a tactical squad before being sent back to patrol, but that’s it. There’s not much personality or depth to her character yet. Plus, the chemistry between Cook and Ruzek just doesn’t spark, which makes their scenes together feel forced.

Another problem with this episode is how it handles recurring characters. Shawn Hatosy returns as Deputy Chief Reid, but he only appears in a single scene to tell Voight he’s in charge and then leaves. If a recurring character is going to show up, they should have a purpose in the story. In this case, Reid’s presence felt unnecessary.

Chicago PD Season 12, Episode 2 had all the ingredients for a great episode, but it didn’t come together. Hopefully, future episodes will bring back the high-stakes drama and tight-knit team dynamics that made Chicago PD so popular in the first place.