The idea behind Halstead’s Chicago PD exit arc could have resulted in a compelling exit if NBC was able to execute the storyline differently.
For starters, the whole plot shouldn’t have been rushed. Instead of using a typical Intelligence case as the catalyst for his decision to leave, it should have been a series of events that led to his choice.
The police procedural could have used the death of Roy Walton (Michael Maize) in season 8 and the demise of Anna Avalos’ (Carmela Zumbado) in the season 9 finale for this. Secondly, and more importantly, Chicago PD should have established a stronger basis for Halstead’s identity crisis because everything else he did in the episode, including resigning, was questionable.
Showing his internal struggle better could have easily addressed this. Finally, instead of keeping the door open for his possible return (which is a cop-out), His final fate should have been more definitive. After setting up Halstead’s death, Chicago PD should have moved forward with it as it would have been a far more powerful and impactful way to write him out.
Halstead’s role in Intelligence is immeasurable. He was the moral compass of Chicago PD, and he could have been the perfect replacement for Voight in case he retires or gets promoted. Given this, he deserved a much more cohesive and compelling send-off storyline than what he got. Frustratingly, they could have given it to him with some minor adjustments to how they handled his exit.