How Larry Hawkins Exits Chicago P.D. in Season 14

Spoiler Alert: The following contains key plot points from tonight's episode of the NBC series Chicago P.D. This marks the final appearance of Larry Hawkins in the role of Kevin Atwater on NBC's Chicago P.D. As many of you are well aware, when fans leave any One Chicago franchise […]

Spoiler alert: The following are major plot points for tonight's episode of NBC's Chicago P.D.

It's the end of an era where LaRois Hawkins made his final appearance as Kevin Atwater on NBC's Chicago P.D. As a series regular, as many of you well know, when people leave any of the shows in the One Chicago franchise, it's not beyond belief that they'll ever return.

In fact, tonight's episode, titled "Don't Blink," was directed by Jesse Lee Saffer, an original cast member who returns to direct his previous cast and also reprises his role as Jay Halstead in last year's big crossover event. Related News "Chicago P.D." LaRoyce Hawkins is leaving the NBC series star in season 14.

Viewers meet Atwater's adorable baby boy, Malcolm Atwater, a little boy whose father misses being with his family when he has to go back to work. He gets some important advice from Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), a more experienced parent, who tells him that being away from family gets easier with time. In another cute moment, Makayla, daughter of Burgess and Adam Rojek (Patrick Pfluger), gives Malcolm a small toy.

In a terrifying moment, Atwater is shot in the line of duty, but he was wearing a bulletproof vest that saved his life. This helps Atwater realize that being a parent is the most important job there is. He talks to Voight (Jason Beghe) about a possible career change

Without confirming a solid plan, he says goodbye to his family, the crew he's been with through the good, the bad, and the worse. He reveals that he and Tasha will be looking for a new home for a fresh start. Atwater and Voight discussed the possibility of her becoming a teacher at the academy. Voight encouraged him to look into it and also said they were looking for good officers in the Atlanta office. No matter what choice they make, the Atwaters get their happy ending.

If that ever happens, the story is open to a possible return, giving fans their happy ending for a beloved actor and character who has played since the first season.

"Knowing that we're in this situation and trying to figure out in the room what's the best way to do this ... like, how can we fire him in a positive, optimistic way?" Showrunner Gwen Sagan talked about how the writers' room planned for Kevin's exit.

He continued, "Is there a way we can fire him that feels like it's his choice, and he's writing it, and it feels like a central move for the character? We didn't want it to be something that came out of left field. So that's what we focused on. We wanted it to be really organic for him, and we feel like we gave him the best send-off. I'm proud of his performance in that."

Sagan also opened up about the reunion between Hawkins and Saffer

"It was great that these two did it together. And I hope you can feel that on screen. I know they care a lot about it," she said.

Chicago P.D. It returns on Wednesdays at 10 pm with new stories from season 14.

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