Why Chicago Fire's Jesse Lee Soffer Thinks Of Voight As Batman
The One Chicago Universe thrives in exploring the ever-evolving character relationships among its cast. And this is especially true for "Chicago P.D.," despite it being the grittiest series out of the franchise. The show centers on the Chicago Police Department's Intelligence Unit, headed by Hank Voight (Jason Beghe). To say that Voight is the type of cop who bends the rules is a vast understatement. Voight could probably teach a course on going rogue, and it's clear that his illicit activities have significantly affected the members of his unit, mostly notably detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer).
Halstead's journey in "Chicago P.D. serves as an intriguing transformation for a character that the former showrunner, Rick Eid, initially thought of as the show's White Knight. But like his boss, Voight, Halstead's hands aren't exactly clean. Some of the worst things Halstead has done in earlier seasons throughout the series have caused this supposed knight's armor to shine only in shades of gray. Could this be due to the influence of Voight? In a way, it is when we consider what Soffer said to CinemaBlend about Voight sharing a key similarity with the dark hero Batman.
Halstead sees Voight as a necessary dark crusader
In many stories detailing the Dark Knight, Batman is a member of the Justice League, a hero to many in Gotham City, and definitely knows his way around a grappling hook. But to many of the lawmakers in Gotham, Batman is also considered a dangerous vigilante who often does some questionable things to serve the greater good. The distinction makes him one of the most compelling comic book characters out there, primarily when his actions serve dangerous consequences. While talking to CinemaBlend, Jesse Lee Soffer connected Voight and Batman based on their similar roguish — but necessary — tendencies.
"He's like Batman," Soffer told the outlet. "He's willing to do the dark thing, for the right reason. And so I think Jay wants to protect that, but in protecting that he has to protect Voight from himself." Soffer's comparison of Voight to Batman also brings to light the complex relationship between Halstead and Voight throughout the seasons. Although the two have come to blows a few times, they also express immense respect for one another. Halstead's recent efforts to protect Voight from the FBI, and his attempt to find a middle ground of helping Voight go off the books to locate Anna Avalos (Carmela Zumbado) in the Season 9 finale, show that Halstead still believes the city needs Voight. But Halstead wants to help Voight from crossing lines and jeopardizing himself and the unit. It's a parallel of someone like Nightwing always believing in Batman enough to keep him from doing the absolute worst and inadvertently harming the rest of the Bat-Family.
Will Season 10 continue to change how Halstead sees Voight?
Speaking of the ending of Season 9, the finale episode left Voight alive, yet wounded physically and emotionally. But come Season 10, that might be the beginning of his worries. The relationship between him, Halstead, and Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) looks fated to go through some more massive shifts. For one, next season could show some tension between Voight and Upton. When Voight wants to cover for Anna's murder of Escano (José Zúñiga), Upton is the one who argues against it. And after Anna shoots Voight in the shoulder, it's Upton who ultimately ends up killing Anna while trying to save Voight.
Season 10 could see the two at odds with each other, especially with residual feelings still looming after the FBI nearly uncovered their secret murder from Season 8. Upton technically pulled the trigger in that situation, but the whole ordeal can be blamed on Voight. The two could have a grudge against each other coming into the next season, with Halstead in the middle. The Season 9 finale hints at this new dynamic best when Upton tells Halstead that he can't save Voight from himself. And they can't repeat the FBI fiasco. While Halstead begrudgingly helps with blackmailing an FBI agent because he believes in Voight. It's also clear that he was trying to protect Upton. And with Upton and Halstead now married, we're not sure how the three will manage to work in synch next season, but it should serve as quite the entertaining rollercoaster.