Fans are still reeling from the cancellations of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted.
While many of us were begrudgingly prepared to give up one of the two, no one could’ve anticipated that we’d lose two series from the franchise in one fell swoop.
Out of the two, it likely could prevail between the cheaper expense of a series filming internationally and the vote of confidence FBI: International put into Jesse Lee Soffer headlining the show.
Does Losing Wes Mitchell Open the Door for Jay Halstead’s Return?
Shockingly, that wasn’t the case. Not only do we have to lose all the beloved characters on FBI: International whom we’ve come to know and appreciate over multiple seasons, but newbie Soffer only had a season to stretch his legs in this role before it ended.
That said, Wes Mitchell is nothing if not a controversial and polarizing character. If you ask any fan of the series, they either really love the guy or positively loathe him.
His constant antics and pushing the boundaries while working a case can frustrate many, and knowing that characters like Vo have to keep him in line often doesn’t help matters either.
The series even rehashes a familiar trope of an implanted mole who has to dig up dirt on the guy, of which there is enough, to bury him because just as half the fans don’t care for Mitchell, neither does his superior.
One of the issues with Mitchell was that it didn’t feel too far off from Soffer’s previous role.
It was barely a year or two before fans who tuned into Soffer’s long-term performance as Jay Halstead watched him step into the role on another Dick Wolf series with a strong ensemble, nearly indistinguishable both physically and behaviorally from his previous role.
I’d argue that Mitchell feels like a combination of Chicago PD‘s Halstead and Upton, ironically, maybe with a dash of Voight himself thrown into the mix.
But that’s neither here nor there.
Should Soffer Return to Chicago PD After Controversial Exit?
Alas, CBS canceling the series has left many diehard fans of talented Soffer wondering if this leaves the door open for him to return to Chicago PD.
And even if that door is open for him, should he walk through it?
There are probably legions of fans who would love to see Soffer reclaim the role of Jay Halstead and step back into the series, even if it was briefly.
Jay Halstead was a fan favorite, one of Chicago PD’s original characters, and many fans of the show miss him or haven’t tuned into the series since his departure.
We haven’t seen Halsted since Chicago PD Season 10 Episode 3.
After a case that resulted in him covering up more misconduct, Halstead realized he couldn’t keep carrying on in a unit where his moral compass was broken and had fundamentally changed him.
He re-enlisted in the military and disappeared on a long-term mission in South America, abandoning his new wife, Hailey, in the interim.
Aside from Voight, he didn’t even say goodbye to anyone.
It Would Be Hard to Redeem Halstead If He Returned
In the show’s history, Halstead’s departure was by far one of the most controversial and disappointing for viewers.
Whether you liked the character or loathed him, most viewers could agree that his character deserved a much better sendoff.
His departure resulted in a nearly two-season-long depression arc for Hailey Upton’s character before she, too, departed.
Considering all that, would viewers even want Jesse Lee Soffer to return to the series?
They effectively dismantled everything that most people liked about the character and essentially torched his memory. We watched ten years’ worth of character development blow up in our faces.
And there’s nothing about how the series doubled down on essentially making him a villain that Chicago PD could magically rectify in a manner that would appeal to viewers or redeem the character.
There’s no avenue for Jay Halstead to return to Chicago PD in a way that would satisfy fans.
The closest they could do is bring him back briefly to get involved in a case, not unlike how they attempted to reintegrate Sean Roman during Chicago PD Season 7 Episode 15.
Halstead’s Return without Hailey Would Still Be Incomplete
Of course, without the Hailey element there, a lot of the necessary tension worth exploring would be lost. Sadly, one of Chicago PD’s biggest issues in the first place in previous seasons was that some characters were so isolated that they didn’t have strong interactions outside of a set few.
If Halstead were to show up, there wouldn’t be enough time for the series to address his actions properly or properly “redeem” him.
And for Soffer himself, after hanging up his hat on the show after a decade, a big return, especially a longer one or one that happens this soon after departure, would likely be a step backward.
If anything, he would likely want to return to direct since he already has two episodes under his belt.
More importantly, one thing we’ve raved about regarding Chicago PD Season 12 is how the cast finally feels complete and in the best place.
Intelligence Has Finally Found Its Rhythm Again as a Unit, Halstead’s Return Would Disrupt That
The Intelligence Unit hasn’t worked this cohesively as a squad since its earlier seasons. All the characters interact well with one another, and the season explores many dynamics rather than just one or two.
Chicago PD has found the right rhythm with the team and has also succeeded in balancing out most of its characters better than it has in a long time. They’ve also done a great job delving deeper into these characters and evolving them more.
As much as it would be intriguing to see Halstead meet newcomer Kiana or revisit the Halstead/Torres mentorship dynamic the series barely scratched the surface of, or the most compelling yet — Voight and Halstead reuniting, it’s more likely that it would disrupt the vibes of the show and what they’ve established now.
Over to you, Chicago PD Fanatics. Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments!
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