My wife and I enjoy both “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.” and now these series come to DVD in their seasons two and one offerings, respectively. “Chicago Fire” came first and with its solid cast of characters and mix of firehouse and personal dramas it quickly became the hit it deserves to be.
A few of the tertiary characters were spun off into “Chicago P.D.” launching to coincide with the second season of “Chicago Fire” and occasionally the two would intersect with a character from one series appearing in the other. It took a while but a full crossover event did take place. If you’re not into both shows NBCUniversal has you covered. Both crossover event episodes are included in the DVD sets for each series.
If you watch both shows you’ll notice they don’t necessarily line up with regards to timing. Sure, the plots do, but the weather doesn’t. It’s spring in one episode of one show but in the corresponding episode of the other it’s clearly winter with snow still on the ground. This is a result of the filming schedule for “Chicago P.D.” and its possible use as a mid-season replacement rather than as a full series (my theory). By the time both shows are mid-way through their seasons things have evened out considerably. It bugged me when I was watching the series’ as they aired and if you watch both of these DVD sets as they were broadcast you’ll notice it as well. Just let it go.
But are the shows any good?
The short answer is yes, though “Chicago P.D.” does get weighed down by a long sub-plot about Internal Affairs and an ongoing investigation into Sergeant Voight, the show’s lead. During the first season of “Chicago Fire” he was an antagonist, a dirty cop, and eventually went to prison. This sets up in a way the premise for “Chicago P.D.” but the sub-plot drags on too much eventually coming with a new twist at the season finale demonstrating the writers and producers are going to milk this storyline for all it is worth. When the stories focus on the simple police procedurals and the interaction between the detective squad and the patrol officers the series is at its best.
“Chicago Fire” really found its rhythm in season two and was firing (ha) on all cylinders. Each of the characters (and there are a lot) got at least one or two episodes to go through something dramatic in their lives. Of course each episode features at least one major event, be it a building fire or a person in distress because he is wedged between two walls.
One of the major plot threads running the course of the season was the possible closure of the firehouse and even the retirement of the beloved Chief. The ending of the season resolved many plot threads and then ended in a way that looks as if there will be a major cast shakeup.
Both are solid drams, but “Chicago Fire” edges out “Chicago P.D.” in my opinion. Because there will presumably be more interaction with seasons three and two respectively I wouldn’t pass over one in favor of the other. Both are great shows. As DVD sets “Chicago Fire” once again has the edge. “Chicago P.D.” Season One only has two episodes of “Chicago Fire” as bonus material (the full crossover episode and another one from season one which offers insight to Voight). “Chicago Fire” Season Two offers up the “Chicago P.D.” crossover episode as well as the pilot episode. Additionally there are a number of short (2 minutes each) behind the scenes featurettes centering on each episode and a short interview type webisode in character.
With both shows about to kick off new seasons it might be about time for some binge watching to catch up.