Antonio Dawson Begins as Voight's Second-in-Command in 'Chicago P.D.'
Antonio Dawson joined the Intelligence Unit in "Stepping Stone," the pilot episode of Chicago P.D., recruited out of the Vice Squad thanks to his skills at undercover work. He wasn't an unknown in the One Chicago franchise, however, having appeared in the third episode of Chicago Fire's first season, running interference with the CFD after Voight's son Justin (Josh Segarra) got into a drunk-driving accident. Things didn't start well for his time in Intelligence, when his partner, Julie (Melissa Sagemiller), was tragically killed right in front of him while pursuing crime boss Adres "Pulpo" Diaz (Arturo Del Puerto).
Antonio Dawson Sets Himself Up as 'Chicago P.D.'s Moral Compass
While Voight was (and is) not above working outside the law to achieve justice, Dawson is the opposite, proving himself to be the moral compass of the group when his commanding officer skirts it away. This is most evident in the storyline that begins in Season 5's "Homecoming." Olinsky (Elias Koteas), the Intelligence Unit officer in prison after being connected with the murder of the man who killed Voight's son (taking the proverbial bullet for Voight), is killed in prison after being stabbed by an inmate, doing so at the request of Carlos DeLeon (Jason Martinez). When the inmate is found severely beaten and left bleeding on the floor, Dawson approaches Voight, who lies at first but admits that he did it, and if Dawson didn't like it, he could take himself off the investigation.
Antonio Dawson Has a Shocking Arc on 'Chicago P.D.'
It was a shocking end for a fan-favorite character, one who deserved a better send-off than what he got. Now, with the new season approaching, Chicago P.D. has a chance to right that wrong. Seda, for one, is open to a return, saying that, "as long as the show is still going, I'm willing at any time. Antonio is still alive. If they ever wanted me to come back for an episode, or come back, or whatever, I'd be totally up for it. I've learned to never say never."
There's no reason why he couldn't come back. The question is, should he? And the answer is a definitive yes. The Intelligence Unit has just gone through a tumultuous season, and Voight has, once again, resorted to illicit means to achieve so-called "justice." The team has lost its way, and the return of Dawson, a man fully in control once again, would bring it back towards a moral centrality. He also wouldn't be afraid to call Voight out for his actions against Reid, and after evading repercussions for so long, maybe it's time someone did.
