Chicago PD: Did Olinsky Really Have a Chance to Stop Voight’s Deadly Plan?

Chicago PD continues to be a crown jewel of the One Chicago franchise, captivating audiences with its gritty storytelling, morally gray protagonists, and impressive ensemble cast. The Season 12 finale delivered an explosive conclusion, seeing Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) orchestrate the murder of Deputy Chief Reed as the net closed in on Hank and the Intelligence Unit. This shocking event sets Chicago PD Season 13 up for a compelling plot, raising questions about whether any of Hank’s former team members could have stopped him from sanctioning the killing.

Series showrunner Gwen Sigan recently weighed in on this, identifying one particular fan favorite she believes could have talked Hank down. In an interview with TV Insider, Sigan stated her belief that Alvin Olinsky (Elias Koteas) is “probably the only character who could have talked Voight out of the decision to kill Reed, aside from possibly Upton.”

It’s true that Olinsky and Voight shared an incredibly strong, almost brotherly bond. Hank often sought counsel from Alvin on important decisions, and Olinsky was central to the Intelligence Unit for many reasons, with his relationship with Voight being the centerpiece. He had a unique way of reaching and rationalizing with his friend, a dynamic that has been largely unmatched since Olinsky’s tragic death in Season 5. In this regard, Sigan’s comments make sense, especially given instances where Olinsky did talk Hank out of deadly plans before, such as siding with Halstead at the end of Season 1 over sparing Pulpo’s life.

The Unlikely Truth: Olinsky’s Loyalty Ran Deeper Than Morality

While I can certainly see why Sigan believes Olinsky could have talked Hank out of killing Reed, the real question is: would he have? My guess is actually that Al would have supported Hank’s decision to sanction Reed’s death.

The team’s backs were against the wall. They were facing an Internal Affairs investigation, the unit was disbanded, and both Burgess and Torres were being fired. Olinsky would have recognized the direction things were heading, realizing that Reed was a problem that needed to be removed for the greater good of the unit and the people they protect.

As one of Chicago PD’s most compelling characters, Olinsky was deeply attuned to the bigger picture. He understood that Voight was a necessary evil in the uncompromising world they inhabited and shared many of his former partner’s beliefs about how far it’s acceptable to go in the name of police work. Olinsky was never a by-the-book cop; he operated in the gray, often making peace with the morally ambiguous decisions that got the job done when the law failed.

It’s far more likely that Al would have backed Voight’s plan to take out Reed, possibly even actively helping him execute it. In many cases, Olinsky was an extension of Hank, one who often helped implement his old friend’s unorthodox methods. Their loyalty to each other, and their shared code, transcended typical legal boundaries. Olinsky didn’t seek to reform Voight; he simply tried to contain the fallout, often becoming a co-conspirator in justice served “the Voight way.”

The consequences of Hank’s actions are set to be felt throughout Season 13, and the absence of Olinsky’s complex influence will certainly play a role.

Do you agree that Olinsky would have supported Voight, or do you think he would have tried to stop him? Let us know in the comments below!