Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Chicago PD season 11 finale.

Summary

• Alvin Olinsky returns in the Chicago PD season 11 finale to help Hank Voight in a moment of need.
• Voight's guilt over Olinsky's death is still present, making their reunion a powerful moment.
• Elias Koteas' cameo was apparently in the works for so long, with Jason Beghe spearheading the petition for it.

The Jay Halstead left One Chicago in season 10. But just because Hank Voight's team is undermanned, it doesn't mean that work has been light. Things came to a head when a major multi-episode case put Voight's life in danger after a meticulous serial killer abducted him. The seasoned cop was able to escape, but he did get some help from an old friend.

In an interview with TV Line, Sigan explains how bringing back Elias Koteas as Alvin Olinsky for the Chicago PD season 11 finale came out to be. As it turns out, it was Jason Beghe's idea to get Voight's best friend back to the show. Read her full quote below:

I think for where [Voight] was and what he was thinking about, the perfect person was his old partner. He needed someone to basically tell him, ‘You’re not done. Wake the f—k up,’ and they had to be Olinsky. In my mind, there’s so much there between the two of them — so much that never got closure, never got resolved. But I think Voight carries it around every day, that this person he loved, and that he was responsible for in some element, ended up dying. He feels guilt and he feels shame and he feels responsible for that.

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Considering Olinsky's fate, Chicago PD is limited by their options in of bringing Koteas.

Chicago PD and One Chicago have had many cast departures, but Olinsky's exit remains one of the most heartbreaking. As Voight's best friend, he took the fall for murdering Justin's killer. Unfortunately, before Intelligence could come up with a way to get Olisnky out of prison, he was fatally stabbed, resulting in his death. Voight has already exacted his revenge against the people who ordered the hit on his long-time partner, but he has never gotten over that Olinsky died because of him. Seeing his late pal come to his rescue is such a powerful moment.

Considering Olinsky's fate, Chicago PD is limited by their options in of bringing Koteas. He could return in a flashback, but that means that a case must be tied to his past for it to be justified, and so his potential appearance would have been spoiled long before it happened. Voight's hallucination is the easiest way to stage Olinsky's comeback without having to set it up ahead of time. This also allows for it to be an effective surprise, especially for viewers of Intelligence and Chicago PD from the beginning of its run.

Seeing Olinsky again is a great treat for everyone who enjoys Chicago PD. Beyond this hallucination, the chances of seeing Koteas again are slim to none. One Chicago can't simply repeat this storytelling trick without it feeling repetitive. The good thing is, Chicago PD is already confirmed for season 12, which gives Sigan and her team more opportunity to find ways to bring Olinsky and other former cast back.

The Chicago PD season 11 finale is available to stream on Paramount+.

Source: TV Line