SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for Chicago PD Season 14, Episode 6.
Now that Chicago PD has introduced its new character, the NBC show can get back to its two previous new characters. Season 14, Episode 6, “The Thin Grey Line” is a two-hander for Dante Torres and Eva Imani, developing the intriguing dynamic between the two. And that’s what makes it memorable, as the case of the week doesn’t quite get where it wants to go.
“The Thin Grey Line” is set in Chinatown, and wants to be a discussion of how cultural differences impact policing. That’s a great topic, and it’s even better to see more Asian representation on the show. When it comes down to plot specifics, though, the script doesn’t offer enough to separate it from the other stories of “rich and powerful people doing things their own way” that viewers have seen on this series and other TV crime dramas. There’s not much about the case that feels like it has to happen in this specific community.
Instead, what propels the episode forward is Dante Torres’ reaction to the happenings, and a strong performance by actor Benjamin Levy Aguilar. It’s about how this case affects Torres individually—particularly his ability to not judge anyone, and how that can be both a strength and a weakness. At the start, Torres could be somewhat underwritten (remember when he was just on furlough for a while?), but now several seasons later Chicago PD has a specific voice for him. He’s asking those bigger questions, even if only to himself. Levy Aguilar is solid here, earnest and bewildered and angry in turn as Torres rides a whole wheel of emotions. He gets to say what viewers are thinking on more than one occasion.
It helps that Chicago PD has clearly seen how Torres is a great foil for the next new character introduced after him. With the Shari situation in her rear view mirror, Imani needs a new character arc and Torres’ more calm and thoughtful approach continues to be an effective contrast to Imani’s more forceful personality. It’s particularly great that “The Thin Grey Line” shows the dynamic going both ways; Imani is there to remind Torres that it’s not a bad thing that he doesn’t judge people, and the last scene involves Torres trying (unsuccessfully) to check in on Imani. Oftentimes, TV episodes will focus in on whichever half of the partnership is having a bad day, but this script gives both Torres and Imani their moments. Their dynamic has so much potential, and pairing them together means that the series’ two most underdeveloped characters can elevate each other, so it’s a win-win all around. (Although it’s hard, when Imani says she has all that time on her hands, not to yell at the TV that she should go buy some furniture for her apartment.)
With new arrival Donovan already getting the Torres treatment—he’s said to be off getting advanced tactical training—Chicago PD doesn’t make much use of the rest of the cast, as is typical for the show when it does a character-specific episode. It really zeroes in on the particular lead, and everyone else becomes functional. Guest star Kyle Selig continues to deserve props for showing up just to be as awkward as humanly possible, and Jason Beghe gets a bit of deadpan humor when Voight points out that cases like this are why the department had a specific unit in Chinatown. Fans can practically feel Voight wanting to yell “I told you so” at Charlie down the hall.
“The Thin Grey Line” is a fine showcase for Dante Torres, Benjamin Levy Aguilar, and the partnership between Torres and Imani. It isn’t quite as successful in exploring the Chinatown community or the idea of cultural nuances in policing. But it certainly tries, and seeing Torres get another chance to shine—one that isn’t giving him some other burden to carry—makes the whole episode worth it.
Chicago PD airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC.
Article content is (c)2020-2026 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.
