Chicago is going to be lacking some legal aid in the fall. Last week, Dick Wolf’s Chicago franchise got the disappointing news that NBC decided not to move forward with a second season of Chicago Justice. Beginning with the premiere of Chicago Fire five years ago, the Chicago franchise seemed to show no signs of slowing down. Every year thereafter a new show has added to the family. The first two spinoffs were successful, so there was great hope that the third would do the same. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
There are many unanswered questions in the wake of the decision. Most notably, the decision to movie Jon Seda from Chicago P.D. to Chicago Justice could be reversed (especially in the wake of the news that Seda’s former co-star Sophia Bush will not be returning to P.D. for its fifth season). The franchise could use the legal support at times, but there were some clear signs that despite the strong stories, the series wasn’t headed for the same success as its predecessors. Here are just a few.
1) Under-utilizing Carl Weathers: The Rocky veteran was the first name tied to Justice‘s production. TVOvermind was one of the first to break the news when it was announced at the PaleyCenter’s Tribute to Dick Wolf two years ago. Yet it was Philip Winchester who became the busiest character on the show. Don’t get me wrong, Winchester was absolutely phenomenal in the role of Assistant State’s Attorney Stone. If Weathers was to truly lead the show, then that should have more consistently utilized.
2) Under-utilizing Molly’s: The popular bar may be an original staple of Chicago Fire, but its sister shows have made it apart of their routine hangouts as well. Justice spent more time everywhere else after hours. While this may have been more authentic for the attorneys, it would have been nice to at least see the investigators spending time at the popular bar. This is especially relevant to former Detective turned Investigator Dawson, whose sister is part owner of the bar.
3) Minimal Interaction with Chicago P.D.: This is something the fans would have really liked to see, especially given Dawson’s ties to his former unit. Yet there was only one episode that really featured Intelligence, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience for the characters or the fans. Instead the episode put Dawson and the State’s Attorney’s office in the horrible position of having to prosecute Intelligence Detective Kevin Atwater. Other than this emotional episode, there wasn’t much overlay. Realistically there didn’t need to be in the professional setting, but off-duty wasn’t too much to ask.
4) Divided They Fall: Truth be told, the characters of Chicago Justice were pitted against each other almost as often as they worked together. The group worked well as a team, but it took some butting heads at times to get there. Ultimately what was truly missing was an element that is prevalent in all of the other Chicago departments: family. Chicago Fire, P.D., and Med all feel like a family unit who band together in times of crisis and support each other on and off the clock. That wasn’t really there with Justice, which is what really sunk the ship.
It will be sad to see such quality characters missing from our screens in the fall. We hope that Dick Wolf Productions and NBC can work something out so that we’re still able to see them guest star in the rest of the Chicago franchise.
Tune into Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. when they return this Fall on NBC.
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I agree with absolutely everything you have written.
Viewers love the overlapping of the Chicago franchises and would
love to see Molly’s featured more in all the shows.
I think that Justice needed another season to get into its stride and
maybe Jon Seda should stay with PD, where we like him, and that
someone else should take his place if Justice is given another try
(maybe someone like Jeremy Sisto’s L&W Character, Cyrus Lupo, as
he was studying Law at night-school, and JS is a great actor –
have you seen him in ‘Kidnapped’? ).
I’m in the UK and hope to be enjoying Dick Wolf’s programmes for
some years to come.