Chicago P.D. Recap: Atwater Catches Feelings as a Case Hits Close to Home
Ahead of Chicago P.D. Season 9, executive producer Rick Eid teased that Atwater would form a “fun and really unique” bond with a dynamic woman, and that their relationship would be a “safe space for the pair to be their true selves.”
Wednesday’s episode, titled “Burnside,” finally introduced the woman set to become Atwater’s love interest during a sensitive case involving Black teens being forced into a cycle of violence.
THE SET-UP | The smooth sounds of N’Qya’s “No Time Like Tonite (Let’s Groove)” filled the air as Atwater flirted with a beautiful woman at a bar. The chemistry was off the charts, and they ended the night in bed together. The next morning, Atwater learned that her name is Celeste (played by Trial & Error‘s Amanda Payton), and she’s a social activist/art teacher. Afraid she wouldn’t take kindly to his profession, Atwater simply told her he works for the city.
THE CASE | A drive-by shooting left four people dead, including a former gang member who had turned his life around. A day prior to the incident, said victim got into an argument with Hubber, a local rapper who uses a program for at-risk teens as a front to recruit them into gangs. In “Why Atwater’s Love Interests Always Gotta Be Linked to a Case” news, Celeste happened to work with the at-risk teens suspected to be involved in the shooting.
Still wanting to be just a guy she met at a bar, Atwater asked his bestie Ruzek to question her in his place, and Celeste agreed to head to the station for more questioning. During her interrogation with Upton and Voight, she remained calm but firm, unwilling to subject her kids to the force’s dehumanizing gang database — especially without any real proof.
Atwater came clean to Voight about knowing Celeste beforehand and agreed to work her for more information. However, their conversation — which was being recorded — was a moment of mutual understanding. Celeste vented to Atwater about how those young Black kids never get to be kids for long because they’re bombarded with racist messaging from the media calling them dangerous and local gangs teaching them the only way to survive is through violence. The pain of merely existing while Black and automatically being considered a threat, not being seen for who they are, is something Atwater fundamentally understood.
A frantic call from Lewis, one of Celeste’s students, brought them to an abandoned building. Lewis confessed to being the driver during the shooting, and Atwater, who was still wearing a wire, cut off his feed before Intelligence could hear more. As Atwater pressed Lewis for more information, Intelligence swooped in for the arrest.
At the station, Atwater pulled Lewis aside and advised the scared teenager to keep his mouth shut and lawyer up. It seemed like Lewis would escape charges until prosecutors revealed they would charge him as an adult amid evidence confirming he knew where he was driving. Frustrated, Atwater agreed to help transport Lewis to the county jail, and on the way, Lewis revealed he didn’t dump the gun in the river. Before he could say more, though, his friend Eric shot him. A distraught Atwater chased Eric down, begging for answers as to why the teen would murder his friend like that.
The case has clearly gotten to Atwater, and Voight tried to offer some comforting words. The sergeant understood why Atwater tried to help Lewis and also gets that “sometimes this job chews up your soul in a different way than it does mine.” With no proof Hubber forced Lewis and Eric to do his dirty work, it seemed like the gang leader would walk away scot free. However, Atwater pieced together that Lewis hid the gun in Celeste’s classroom, and that was the breakthrough they needed. With Hubber’s fingerprints found on the weapon, there was no getting away. Hubber was done.
THE AFTERMATH | Atwater visited Celeste, who blamed herself for leading the cops to Lewis and then bringing Atwater into all of it. Unbeknownst to her, Atwater was one of the two Black police officers with Lewis when he died, and her impassioned rant only heightened Atwater’s feelings of guilt. Atwater nearly confessed until Celeste cut him off, calling him a good man. He clearly likes her, and she still doesn’t know he’s a cop, but they’re going to be each other’s safe space for now.
What did you think of this week’s episode? How do you feel about Celeste as Atwater’s new love interest? Sound off in the comments below!
I think Kevin deserves better than her, the writers still should have Kim as his love interests instead.
That would ruin everything. Kim and Kevin are more like brother-sister. They have each other’s backs at all times but there’s nothing romantic between them.
Ewww stop trying to make Kev and Kim happen! They’re like brother and sister, Gretchen!! I love their bond as friends, esp when she is comfortable watching Vanessa and being around the family for birthday parties. Just no!
But uhm Atwater could be more involved in Makayla, like a fun uncle or even just speak. There’s been no interaction oddly. Seems Kim’s storyline of relationships only revolves around Adam. But I’m getting off topic…
Oh please stop. Atwater deserves better than his friend/co-worker’s sloppy seconds, and he got that with Celeste. She’s beautiful, smart and their chemistry was on fire.
I agree with you Erica, but at this point it would be weird. There was a time where the show hinted that they would go there, but I think the show runners got cold feet and got scared of the potential backlash of an interracial relationship. And now that his partner already rammed Kim, it would be kind of uncomfortable for the Kevin and his partner to coexist. I’m not feeling the new girl but it is what it is I guess!!
This was such a good episode. ❤ Amanda Payton as Celeste! Hope she sticks around once the truth about Kevin is revealed to her. They’re a gorgeous couple!
How are the writers going to have her find out Kevin is a cop? And how will they have her react? I hope they take it slow and give them time to develop a real relationship.
.
Pretty good episode overall. (Any episode where we don’t have to see much of Hailey is a good episode.)
Right? I still hate how Hailey is all torn up about killing the man who shot Burgess, but plotted Darius Walker’s murder in revenge for a slain CI.
Not to mention planting two kilos of heroin in a drug dealer’s car. She’s a total fraud.
Amen!
She is such a hypocrite. I really don’t like her character or the actress who plays her.
Burgess needs to be the front line female on the show, not Hailey.
Thank you all. I thought I was the only one who called bs on Haileys “crisis”. She’s been doing dirt with impunity for a while.
I’ll pass. My perspective both as a fan of the show and a Black woman…
Okay I’m happy Atwater got a girl FINALLY!! And she’s not a criminal but a caring and (overly) involved art teacher. But please not her!! The chemistry is off. And I knew it… typical light skinned mixed girl. But it is what it is *eye roll* And before someone says something cruel, she’s def not ugly but just regular-looking, if that makes sense.
That forced “I’m so woke and Black” from her is so contrived! I can tell she doesn’t believe that and trying to act. Keyword: trying. The fantasy is ruined. Yes call me a hater for my man Kev
Glad Voight talked to him and understood his heart. But she must got that good good for him to risk it all. IYKYK! But man tell her the truth. Why is it always a lie? Hope he finds someone without the drama.
And for the episode, positive thumbs up for no major Upstead annoyances!
I agree with your sentiment! But everyone has rent to pay and a life to live. And this will continue until we either have our own or boycott.
What does that mean? Have our own!
It wasn’t cool for Kevin to cut off the recording. He had a job to do & shouldn’t let personal feelings get in the way.
I don’t like how we only got one reference to very intense convo that has to have happened w Hailey and Jay
Seriously? Welcome to the “I don’t like how” club. Some of us have been members for years.
Kevin is lucky if feelings is all he catches from that nasty piece. Why can’t he date a nice girl like Burgess?
How dare you, there was nothing nasty about her. PARB👿
Nasty? That is so ugly of you & unnecessary. Stop being a troll and eat a cupcake.
Loved this episode, great chemistry between the two. Atwater is a powerful and easy to like character. It’s about time he has a love interest.
The episode was something to remember, so sad. Also, Atwater and Celeste have mad chemistry, I hope it all works out for them when she eventually finds out he’s a cop.😟
Please finally give Atwater a love interest that is not tied to him having to wear a wire &/or taping their interactions, etc. that’s tied to a case. This is getting really old. In reality, African American detectives/cops do date women that are not involved with their work. The writers need to come to this realization and reality.
+1
Thank you. Every time Atwater has a love interest, he has to squeal on her. Enough is enough. He is a human in need of love just like the other members of the unit. The writers need to give him someone he can be in a honest relationship with. There has to be at least one woman in Chicago that he can date who isn’t connected to a crime.
I don’t like Atwater being bad cop! He is a good cop, he deserve a better girlfriend. I love the show. Give Kevin a real. Love interest .
I loved this week’s episode on Chicago PD. My only complaint is why Atwater’s love interests are always linked to crime. We know him being a black cop is rough on him in the black community, as well as, the police department itself, so why not gave him a positive haven he can relax in from the pressures of the day. Other than Voight, all the others have that. To be real, she has been truthful to him, but he has not been truthful. We all know what will happen once he reveals he is cop. Typical story line there!
I was happy for Atwater and his new lady love. I like their vibe. However, I’m mad that he lied to her about his job. It’s not going to end well for them. And c’mon PD: we’ve done this same story with Jay and the bartender. I would have preferred it if he had been honest with her and shared how the job weighs on his soul. How he’s of two minds about carrying the badge. How he remains a cop so he can make a change from within. If anyone could have understood where he’s coming from, I think Celeste would have. But now, when it comes out he lied to her about being a cop, she won’t have anything to do with him and we’ll be back to Kevin being alone again for years.
Couldn’t have said it better myself
Thank you! I was thinking the same thing like haven’t we seen this storyline before with Jay & the bartender. Just lazy writing. He deserves better.
I concur..Atwater not telling her about his real job and how he was involved in the incident sets this romance up as failure from the start. She is probably around for no more than 5 episodes before the secrets out or she has an unfortunate death without ever finding out he’s a cop.
First it’s about time Atwater had a sex scene second towards the end I felt he was going to change his ways of being honest with PD to make Celeste happy or either leave PD by the way he looked at her please don’t make him a bad guy I felt there was no chemistry between them I like the actress but not for Atwater stop forcing his relationships just so you can say he has one find a good one he deserves better!
I have to add I think Celestes safe house is a sham I think she’s a part of it she was overly dramatic about what happened looked phony to me unless that’s her acting abilities
Just love it!!!
Atwater is great and projects reality. The team needs some new faces. Let’s get this show rolling back to some real criminal drama.
Yes love the combination and story line.