If you’ve been watching Chicago PD since the beginning, you know that Kim Burgess is essentially the emotional barometer of the 21st District. She didn't start in the Intelligence Unit. She was the "flight attendant turned cop" with a bright smile that Trudy Platt spent years trying to extinguish. Honestly, looking back at Season 1, it’s wild to see how much she’s changed.
Most characters on this show follow a predictable "tough guy" trajectory. Burgess? Not so much. She didn’t just grow up; she survived.
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Why Chicago PD Kim Burgess is the Realest Character on the Show
A lot of people think Burgess is "too emotional" for Voight’s unit. You've probably seen the Reddit threads. They complain about her being a "victim" or "self-sabotaging." But that’s a massive misunderstanding of her arc.
Unlike Voight, who seems to have been born out of gravel and cigarette smoke, or Ruzek, who is a "ride-or-die" by default, Kim actually fights to stay human. In a unit that rewards being a "loose cannon," she tries to remain a mother, a partner, and a sane person.
The numbers are staggering when you actually list what she's been through.
- Shot in the chest by a shotgun trap (Season 2).
- Abducted and shot again, crawling through the mud to save her own life (Season 8).
- A brutal miscarriage (Season 7).
- Adopting Makayla after her family was slaughtered.
It's a lot. Most people would have quit and opened a bakery in the suburbs. Instead, Burgess took the detective exam and finally got her promotion in Season 12.
The Burzek Marriage: Finally, But at What Cost?
We have to talk about the wedding. Finally. In the Season 12 finale, "Vows," Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek tied the knot. It wasn't the big, flashy party fans might have wanted. It was silent. No heard vows. Just a quiet ceremony in a church while Voight was literally watching his world crumble outside.
Marina Squerciati actually mentioned in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that she was a bit bummed they didn't get a reception. She wanted an electric slide. Instead, we got the classic Chicago PD "darkness mixed with a sliver of light" vibe.
Their relationship is basically the definition of "it’s complicated." They’ve been engaged three times. Three! Most couples don’t survive one broken engagement, let alone two. But by the time they hit Season 13, they’re finally a unit. A real family with Makayla.
The Season 13 Reality Check
Entering 2026, the show has shifted. We lost Hailey Upton. We lost Kiana Cook. Now we have Naomi Kerr (played by Arienne Mandi), who is described as a total loose cannon.
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This changes everything for Burgess.
For years, Kim was the one being mentored. Now, as a Detective Grade 1, she’s the one who has to hold the line. But Season 13 hasn't been easy on her. If you saw the episode "Canaryville," you saw the show returning to its darkest roots. A murder right in Kim and Adam’s neighborhood. A victim she knew. It’s personal, and for Kim, personal always means high stakes.
What Fans Get Wrong About Her "Weakness"
There’s this idea that because Kim goes to therapy—specifically for her PTS after the shooting in Season 10—she’s somehow less of a "tough cop." That’s nonsense.
In the 200th episode, "Trapped," we saw her literally shaking on the floor because a car backfired. But then, she went down into a well to save a kid while an active shooter was pinning her down. That isn't weakness. That is what being a real cop looks like in 2026. She isn't a superhero; she’s a person with a badge.
Moving Forward in the Intelligence Unit
So, what’s next? If you’re looking for actionable ways to engage with the character or the show’s current direction, keep an eye on these specific dynamics:
- The Voight/Burgess Power Shift: Now that Kim is the second-highest-ranking person in the unit (alongside Ruzek), she shouldn't just be taking orders. She needs to be the one challenging Voight’s "off-book" tendencies.
- The Mentor Role: With the arrival of Naomi Kerr, Kim has the chance to be the "Trudy Platt" for a new generation. She’s already shown she can handle it, but Kerr is a wildcard.
- The Balance of "Normal": Watch how the show handles her home life. For the first time, Kim and Adam are legally married. In the world of Dick Wolf, that usually means a storm is coming.
Honestly, the best way to appreciate Kim Burgess is to stop expecting her to be like the men in the unit. She’s better because she isn't. She’s the heart of the show, even when that heart is breaking.
If you're catching up, start with Season 8's "The Last Minute" and "The Other Side." It’s the definitive Burgess performance. You’ll see exactly why she’s the one person in that district you actually want showing up when things go sideways.
Stay tuned to the Wednesday night lineup on NBC. The back half of Season 13 is supposedly going to test the Burzek marriage in ways we haven't seen yet, especially with the Internal Affairs pressure mounting after the Reid investigation.
Next Steps:
- Watch Season 12, Episode 6 ("Pawns") to see the exact moment Kim officially becomes a Detective.
- Revisit the Season 12 finale "Vows" to catch the subtle parallels between the wedding and Voight's moral collapse.
- Track the new dynamic with Naomi Kerr in Season 13 to see if Kim can maintain her "moral compass" status under the new unit pressure.