After a five-year hiatus, the One Chicago franchise brought back its epic crossover events, and 2025's "In the Trenches" was a massive hit. The momentum continued with 2026's "Reckoning," which not only delivered thrilling action but also reunited fans with beloved alums Tracy Spiridakos and Jesse Lee Soffer. Now, Soffer is back for another special episode, but this time he's not in front of the camera—he's behind it.
In Chicago P.D. Season 14's "Don't Blink," Soffer takes the director's chair for the fourth time, guiding the series through a pivotal moment: the exit of LaRoyce Hawkins' Kevin Atwater. This isn't just another episode; it's a heartfelt farewell for a character who has been with the show since the beginning.
A Director's Journey
Soffer's directorial debut came in Season 10's "Deadlocked," just a few episodes after his character Jay Halstead extended his assignment in Bolivia—a moment that broke fans' hearts. That episode, which centered on Voight's high-stakes murder trial, earned praise for its dark, classic style that harkened back to the show's early days. He returned for Season 11's "Inventory," another standout that also set the stage for Upton's eventual exit. His third effort, Season 13's "Open Wounds," was a solid entry that reintroduced Officer Torres.
Now, with "Don't Blink," Soffer is tasked with giving Atwater a proper sendoff. The synopsis teases: "A significant turning point in Atwater's life prompts him to make a decision about his future." That turning point is the birth of his son with Tasha, leading Atwater to leave the Intelligence Unit he's called home for years.
A Graceful Exit
Chicago P.D. has had a mixed record with character departures, but showrunner Gwen Sigan is determined to make Atwater's exit one of the best. "We really wanted to give him something that felt super natural to his character," she said. "We wanted to give that character a sendoff that he deserves and something his character has earned and make it positive, in a way, for him."
If anyone understands the importance of a good goodbye, it's Soffer. His own exit as Halstead was widely criticized, but the recent crossover "Reckoning" helped repair that storyline, giving Halstead and Upton a hopeful, if ambiguous, resolution. Soffer's new role as the lead in CBS's upcoming series Strike Force makes an on-screen return unlikely, but his directorial work is clearly valued. Sigan praised his work on "Don't Blink," saying, "Jesse directed it and killed it."
For fans, this episode is a bittersweet moment—a chance to say goodbye to a beloved character while seeing a familiar face behind the lens. As the One Chicago universe continues to evolve, Atwater's departure marks the end of an era, but it's a fitting tribute to a character who has grown and earned his happy ending.
