Chicago P.D., May 1, 2024, NBC, “Buried Pieces”

In Chicago Fire’s “Buried Pieces,” airing on NBC on Wednesday May 1, Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) becomes consumed by a decades-old missing persons case linked to Detective Jo Petrovic (Bojana Novakovic) when a young child shows up at the district seeking help. This episode marks the conclusion of Spiridakos’ seven-season run on the show, with her character’s departure teased in the season’s earlier episodes.

The case triggers Upton to reflect on her own journey, having joined the Intelligence Unit in Season 4 as a former Robbery-Homicide detective. Over the years, Upton has endured various traumatic events, including being quarantined, kidnapped, and nearly dying multiple times. She has also grappled with panic attacks and insomnia, stemming from a turbulent childhood marked by an abusive home and her parents’ diner being robbed.

Upton’s personal life has been no less turbulent. Her on-screen husband, Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), left the series in Season 10 to take on a new job with the army in Bolivia, leaving their future uncertain. This development mirrored Soffer’s real-life decision to exit the show, as he told Variety: “I was ready for more… I really wanted to grow and expand, and we’ve only got this one trip.”

With Upton’s divorce from Halstead finalized in Season 11, showrunner Gwen Sigan hinted at what’s next for the character: “We’re really going to dig into that this season, and dig into growth and transformation — how do you get through your life not looking like what you thought it was going to look like, and realizing that there could be more out there that is maybe better for you?”

As Upton’s story comes to a close, the episode also shines a spotlight on her complex relationship with Detective Petrovic. In previous episodes, Upton discovered Petrovic’s alcoholism, leading to confrontations and tense exchanges. Despite their differences, the two share a unique understanding of each other, with Petrovic pointing out their shared experiences of divorce and personal struggles.

“Buried Pieces” promises to deliver a compelling conclusion to Upton’s arc, leaving viewers eager to see how her story unfolds and what new challenges await the Intelligence Unit.

Chicago P.D. airs on NBC at 10.00 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.