Chicago PD’s season 12 finale featured the long-awaited Burzek wedding, but fans were left disappointed by its rushed and emotionally hollow execution.
After more than a decade of building tension, emotional turmoil, and deep character evolution, Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek—known lovingly by fans as Burzek—finally tied the knot in the much-hyped Chicago PD season 12 finale. But instead of a celebration that honored the pair’s history and impact on the series, what fans received felt rushed, underwhelming, and ultimately like a missed opportunity.
For years, Chicago PD audiences have watched Burzek navigate trauma, heartbreak, co-parenting, and reconciliation. From their initial flirtations in the early seasons to their shared custody of Makayla and emotional reconnection, their story has consistently been one of the franchise’s most compelling. So, when Ruzek proposed in season 11 and Burgess accepted, fans dared to hope for a finale filled with emotional payoff.
The long road to “I do”
Among the One Chicago relationships, few have captured hearts like Burzek. Their dynamic, often strained but always passionate, showcased two people growing through adversity and choosing each other time and again. Their eventual re-engagement marked a turning point in their journey, seemingly promising a satisfying narrative conclusion—or, at the very least, a moment of joy earned through years of struggle.
Leading up to the finale, cast interviews and show teases heightened expectations. Fans envisioned a modest but touching ceremony focused on love and closure. Yet, when the finale aired, it was clear the writers had different priorities.
A sidelined celebration
While the Burzek wedding technically happened, it lacked the emotional gravitas and narrative focus it deserved. Yes, Burgess was stunning, and Ruzek looked every bit the leading man, and the church setting added visual charm. But these elements couldn’t mask the glaring issue: the wedding was treated as secondary.
Instead of centering on the couple’s long-awaited vows, the episode shifted its spotlight to a confrontation between Voight and Chapman over Reid’s death. This subplot completely undercut what should have been Burzek’s moment, stealing screen time and emotional energy from a storyline fans had waited over a decade to see realized.
There was no heartfelt exchange of vows, no intimate reflection on their journey, and barely any time to enjoy the presence of their friends and found family. The result? A ceremony that felt like a narrative checkbox, not a celebration.
Lessons from better finales
TV shows have long faced the challenge of balancing romance and plot-heavy drama in finales. But some, like Grey’s Anatomy, have mastered the art of pacing. Jo and Link’s wedding, for instance, was smartly placed in the penultimate episode, giving it room to breathe and letting the finale focus on higher-stakes drama without diminishing the emotional beats of the wedding.
Had Chicago PD used a similar strategy, fans could have fully enjoyed the Burzek wedding without distraction, followed by a finale that wrapped up the Reid storyline with proper attention. As it stands, neither arc was fully satisfying—and fans were left feeling shortchanged.
This isn’t just about screen time. It’s about narrative respect. Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek have carried emotional weight in the series since its inception. To rush their wedding into a few minutes of fragmented scenes does a disservice to their characters and the viewers who’ve invested years in their story.
What went wrong with the Burzek wedding?
The creative decision to combine major plot developments with the Burzek wedding diluted both storylines. While the writers may defend the finale’s structure, fans were hoping for more than a pretty ceremony overshadowed by police drama. They were hoping to feel something—to celebrate a journey that began in season 2 and finally reached its climax.
Instead, fans were left wondering: why didn’t this moment matter more? Why not give these characters—and the audience—a full, uninterrupted celebration?
In the end, the Chicago PD season 12 finale may be remembered not for the wedding it delivered, but for the one it didn’t. And for the fans who’ve loved Burzek since the beginning, that’s a deeply disappointing conclusion to a story that deserved so much better.
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