Chicago P.D. Stars Jesse Lee Soffer, Tracy Spiridakos on That ‘Upstead’ Breakthrough: ‘There’s a Real Love’
Warning: This post contains spoilers from Chicago P.D.’s Season 9 premiere. Read at your own risk!
If you need to take a moment to process everything that went down in Chicago P.D.’s Season 9 premiere, we don’t blame you!
Picking up where we left off in the finale, Wednesday’s episode, titled “Closure,” saw Burgess’ life hanging in the balance while Intelligence searched for her kidnapper, and Upton and Voight covering their tracks after killing said suspect.
The good news is that Burgess pulled through in the end. However, Upton will need to find a way to “make peace with the fact that you’re never gonna be able to make peace” after what went down with Roy, as Voight succinctly put it.
!['Chicago P.D.' Recap: Season 9, Episode 1 — Upstead Is [Spoiler]](https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/fall-tv-calendar-2021-schedule-revise.jpg?w=300&h=200&crop=1)
Oh yeah, those who were rooting for Upton and Halstead to take things to the next level finally got their wish — the Intelligence detectives are officially engaged! The big moment came at the end of the hour, with Halstead both accepting Upton’s proposal and then formally asking her on bended knee because he’s old-fashioned.
“Even though the motivation on Hailey’s side is murky because she’s obviously going through such an emotional moment with what she did and the guilt, there’s a real love between the two characters,” Jesse Lee Soffer tells TVLine. “For Jay to take the reins and go, ‘Okay, yeah, this is how I feel. Let’s do this,’ [it’s] important to see that he’s not just along for the ride, that this is something that he wants. I think it’s gonna be fun for the fans.”
This season, Upton will struggle with keeping up the lie about what really happened to Roy. There’s an uncomfortable moment in “Closure” where Burgess asks Upton if they found the guy who ambushed her, and Upton stiffly tells her he got away. “It’s eating away at her,” Tracy Spiridakos shares, “and Halstead starts to notice that something’s off with her and continues to ask.”
An upcoming episode will explore the idea of Halstead potentially finding out the truth, which might not be best thing for the newly engaged couple. “They very much deeply care for each other, and this whole thing is definitely going to affect their dynamic,” she adds. “But I do think that they’re in it for the long haul. I don’t know of a wedding anytime soon, but I can see that happening at some point.”
We may not know when or if an “Upstead” wedding is happening, but Soffer has confirmed that the third episode of the season will delve into Halstead’s military background and feature a character from his past. “There’s a clearer picture as to why Jay doesn’t want to talk about his time in the Army,” he teases.
What did you think of Chicago P.D.’s Season 9 premiere? Grade the episode below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
So which of them is leaving Intelligence?
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When Hailey was hooking up with Ruzek, Trudy Platt told her one of them would have to leave Intelligence. Have the rules changed because it’s Hailey and Halstead instead of Hailey and Ruzek?
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Or is this one more example of Rick Eid’s sloppy showrunning?
Sing it sister. Any one saying this thing between Uptight and Horn Dog is romantic needs to get their eyes checked. Its not toxic its cancerous. If they do leave they better make it Jay I honestly do not know why someone so anti-Voight still works for the man.
Too many in-house relationships – Kim and Adam is enough. Plus I just don’t see the chemistry between the two of them – it feels forced. Kind of liking a little of the Old Voight back in the fold again so that the show is not trying to be preachy or wrap things up in a nice bow at the end of each episode.
There is ZERO chemistry between them — it’s even worse than Hailey/Ruzek. I don’t know why they are trying to foist this fauxmance off on the audience but I am totally not buying it. I wish Hailey would go back to Homicide and Halstead can go sell cars somewhere.
Well, you could always stop watching the show if you hate the characters that much.
I did stop watching last year, precisely because of stuff like this. People here have been calling for better writing and better use of characters, instead of pandering to shippers, ever since Eid took over. His answer to that, “Let’s give Atwater a girlfriend”.
Bingo!! I think they should rekindle his relationship with Lalah. It’s time for her to get out of jail.
Did y’all see Kevin in his love scene! 😘You want ratings, this will do it!
I agree Matt. There are a lot of crime shows on TV.
Totally agree. It does looked forced on screen and just never could get my arms around this character. Jay seems to question this love fest but yet proposed back at her proposal. I still don’t understand why Roy’s killing has to be a secret. I must have missed something.
Voight went off book to find Kim and to do that he rouged up Roy. If it got out Voight went off book and brutalized a cold blooded child murderer like Roy then Miller would go afer him. Its why he told Hailey to leave when she found him so that any blowback from his actions would fall on him and him alone. Hailey was as usual being wishy washy and talked about ‘doing the right thing’ even though she planned the death of Darius Walker for killing her CI and when they tried to arrest Roy He went for Voight’s gun and Hailey shot and killed Roy. If this gets out its the end of both their careers probably the careers of everyone in Intelligence.
if ruzek and burgess were together/were going to have a baby and could both stay, why shouldn’t jay or hailey? just say you’re bitter and go
Thats the thing Ruzek and Burgess are not together Ruzek is just the secondary for Burgess’ daughter/ward they aren’t making plans to marry. How about you shut up, Hailey simp.
Was clearly talking about when they ~were~ together. They weren’t forced to break up, why would Jay and Hailey? For no reason, exactly. Certainly not to satisfy your bitterness towards them.
Bawhaha you clearly never seen the show at all when they were togtehr Burgess was a patrol officer not in Intelligence when Ruzek was at the time and by the time they were working together they never dated.
I hope that things get better for you Dean.
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Kim and Adam were NEVER partners while dating though.
They’ve gone over all the reasons why people shouldn’t date and work together (exclusively), but for some reason Halstead is the exception to this rule, first with Erin and now with Hailey.
They literally act like Halstead and Hailey can’t be separated, and it’s ridiculous. So again, why should Halstead and Hailey be dating, living together, and engaged AND ALSO being partners in the field too?
If they must force this romance down our throats. Give us them romantically or then as partners in the field. But do we really need both?
There is no respite from this pairing in any way which is absurd. I’d genuinely enjoy seeing Halstead develop a partnership with someone else just to change things up. Because for whatever reason when the do separate them it’s usually focused on Hailey and whoever she’s with instead.
It’s bad writing, pure and simple. After Olinsky died and Dawson left Voight had 2 Detectives and a bunch of officers, but when he tried to seperate Halstead and Upton to spread some experience around the unit the toys came out the pram.
Yeah, I hate that they cater to this ship so much that they defy logic to do it..
But this is also why I’m annoyed that they didn’t make someone like Atwater a detective by now or something.
Exactly with Olinsky and Antonio he had equals to help manage the hornonal kids. Now All Voight is is a Nanny to them.
This was one of the best episodes of the series and Upstead is the cutest and best developed ship I’ve seen on TV! Jesse and Tracy shine in their chemistry together!
Oh please, GMAB. What chemistry? Hailey is total fake. I don’t know what Jay sees in her.. She acted all badass last season, and as soon as she realizes she may be in real trouble she folds like a cheap umbrella. Now she’s all weepy and whiny and whimpering. She’s dragging down the series. She needs to go.
Totally agree. Acts all bad ass for every season, with her arched eyebrow, forehead wrinkling, then wimps out when a coworker’s life is at stake?
And, stop with the soap opera love stories.
Begone, Hailey!
I cannot stand Hailey. She is so trashy and just not mentally stable. Jay needs to get away from her. Actually she needs to leave the show. Her character is too unhinged. She is going to be the end for Voight . I want Al and Antonio back. The reruns on ION are so much better than the new shows.
I loved this episode . It is one of the best . I love upstead and burzek . I would like to see something happen with sam and hank. For me the relationships are the reason I watch the show. Watching someone get a beating in a cage is not my idea of great show. I have to like the characters to get invested in the show. It is a great start for season 9.
I love the show tonite
I absolutely adore this couple <3
Jay was married, proposed to Lindsay (who I’d argue he was truly in love with given that he didn’t give up on her and then wanted to propose to) and three years later, he’s truly in love with Upstead and already engaged. Not sure I buy that or that Jay is really marriage material.
Plus Jay’s technically already married to the woman Abby.
Haven’t seen the epi yet… Do Kim and Kevin share scenes? …or has the show still forgotten they are like best friends
He was with Trudy at the end & they did visit and said one of his permissible 4 lines for the episode They came in right after Hailey lied to her.
I will never understand the unwarranted hostility towards Tracy/Hailey. I loved all of the season premiere but especially the final scene when Jay got down on one knee for his ‘old fashioned’ proposal in response to her earlier one for him. So sweet and tender. Haters shouldn’t get twisted in knots anyway since it is doubtful any marriage will ever take place. That’s just TV 101.
Tracy is a medicore actress and Uptight is the worst written character on tv so bad she makes Cercei Lannister look like Mother Theresa. Its not really that hard to understand.
oh god, you’re that loser who used to leave comments on spoilertv? dude, it’s scary how obsessed you are with characters you clearly dislike? why the need to leave these comments? it’s sad.
The problem is how she acts. She’s pushy, bossy, snotty and thinks she’s better than everyone else on the team. She probably wants to get married because a husband can’t testify against his wife in case anyone connects her with killing Roy. I can’t stand the character or the actress who plays her.
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She might try combing her hair once in a while also.
Should cops look glamorous?
At least they can look decent. You never saw Lindsay or Burgess or Rojas or Trudy looking sloppy and unkempt like they hadn’t had a bath in three days.
So true, she always looks dirty and unkempt. Have never liked her character and she is a horrible actress.
Always looks like she’s three days deep into a week long bender.
It’s tv, I really doubt she has any say over the way her hair looks! Haha.
That ending was as phony and contrived as it gets. The writing on this show continues to get worse and worse. Could this episode have been any more predictable?
best OC couple, hands down! nothing compares, they just have THE best chemistry. Hoping for a nice wedding once it’s all over!
Awww, a shipper. How quaint.
Gross . They are so forced . They have no chemistry .
That ending made the entire episode for me! I love them together and their love is so strong. They will need to work through this secret together, but once it comes out they will only get closer.
Best couple in the OC universe! They deserve happiness!
Hailey is way too shaky. She’s not going to be able to deal. Sometime soon, or maybe years from now, Voight is going to have to deal with her. He can’t have someone that shaky having something on him. Right now he feels very close to her, and he wouldn’t take care of the problem the only way the problem can be taken care of. But in time . . . maybe not even in the timeframe of the show . . . but it time . . . let’s just say the prognosis for Hailey isn’t good.
Poor Kim, imagine being that trauamatised and somebody you think is a friend is just going to keep lying and exacerbating your PTSD. Can’t wait for that to come out.
With friends like that, who needs enemies.
Ruzek’s wink was just perfection.
You too! That sexy wink said so much without opening his mouth!!
As for nervous Hailey, Hank’s gonna have to take her on a ride to the Silos! 😂🤣
Yes!!! Exactly what I came get for, that wink. It was everything.
YES this episode was so good!!! I love Upstead, and I am so happy for them! I feel like this season is gonna be real juicy and is gonna put us through it, but I cannot wait!!
Hailey is on edge all the time. She’s going to want to tell Jay about Roy now that they’re getting engaged. And Jay can’t keep his mouth shut. When he accepted her proposal, he didn’t look happy – that’s because Halstead’s character acts like a stick. So, Kim is going to keep looking for Roy. Hailey is bursting to tell someone, anyone almost. So let’s hope that Voigt can keep it together for all of them. Good show despite Hailey’s histrionics.
I’m looking forward to the episode that introduces Atwater’s love interest.
I agree..im interested also on who it will b!!
Can’t this just be a cop show? Not a soap opera?
My thoughts exactly. More real drama, less soap opera. And what happened to the pandemic? It lasted what, one episode?
I really didn’t know what jay was gone do..it was iffy but i knew he loved hailey so i wasn’t surprised he proposed..actually i hope they marry and b happy😃
I am not a fan of Upton. She has already slept with Adam on two occasions then tells him we tell no one. Then we are supposed to be excited for her and Jay. NO !
great show keep it going
Please allow Adam and Burgess marry or get back together and become a family with Makayla and Burgess gets pregnant again by Adam that would be so phenomenal
Don’t like Jay and Haley together at all!! I guess Haley was supposed to be a replacement for Lindsey but she didn’t make the cut…at least with me she didn’t. As much as I’ve tried she hasn’t grown on me at all. You effed up big time when you let go Al O and Erin. CP you may lose a fan! 😢
Change is inevitable, but I still miss Dawson, Erin and especially Al!!! I could deal with the other two, but when they decided to kill Al? That really made me mad and the focus of the show is not crime, but romances and their complications. Not why I was watching and I haven’t watched in a while. Not crazy for Upton either, she was better as a guest star on FBI. I keep hoping they’ll change the story lines and give Burgess a rest. She’s either hooking up with a new man or getting gravely injured. Need to o back to the original format…more crime fighting and corruption; less focus on romances.
While I like both characters separately I don’t buy them as a couple. I liked Hailey with Adam
I don’t like Hailey with anyone. She has zero chemistry with everyone else on the team.
Don’t you like the part she is given to play or don’t you like Tracy ?
I love Hailey and Jay. I have been waiting for 3 yrs to see them together. I hope Kevin runs into the girl he ended up sending to prison. I would like to see him happy.
It’s either a tease, a death sentence for one of the two, or Hailey is about to be written out of the show due to the big lie, since the character looks like she’s about to break.
I personally love this show! However, I am not a fan of Upton and always wanted Halstead to marry Lindsey. Of course, she’s not there any longer. It would be nice for them to bring her back and she and Jay gets married. Last, I am hoping Adam and Kim finally get together. Actually, be nice to see there will be a wedding at the end of the season, but it would be Adam and Kim! They can get rid of Hailey! Just my 2 cent. Note worthy….friendships has definitely crossed the line on this show. I wouldn’t want to work with someone who slept with my coworker if we had been involved!
Not a fan of them as a couple, or her as a character. I’m trying to continue watching the show because I enjoy the rest of the cast and storylines, but this one is a big “no” for me. The chemistry is so forced; I just don’t buy it at all.
I wish this show would tamp down the soap opera stuff and concentrate on being a crime drama. I really don’t care who is sleeping with who. Why would they even keep a guy like Jay who falls in love with partner after partner?