In the realm of TV crime dramas, NCIS has a reputation for bringing viewers into the world of naval crimes with a mix of humor, team camaraderie, and procedural cases. Chicago PD, meanwhile, plays in a grittier, more emotional sandbox. And while both shows have seen their fair share of cast changes over the years, there is one area where Chicago PD pulls ahead with undeniable force — how it says goodbye to its characters.
When a beloved NCIS character leaves, the show often opts for a neat, clean explanation. They get reassigned, they retire, they disappear into witness protection, or they take an overseas job. The team shares a bittersweet moment, and by the next episode, life moves on almost as if they were never there. While this formula keeps the momentum going, it risks erasing the emotional investment fans have built over years.
Chicago PD refuses to let you off that easy.
When a member of the Intelligence Unit leaves, the impact is felt like a gut punch. There is no polite fade-out or quiet off-screen farewell. Instead, the departure is woven into the story in a way that ripples through the team for episodes — sometimes entire seasons. Relationships shift. Morale is tested. And the empty space left behind becomes a silent character in its own right.
Take Detective Erin Lindsay’s exit, for example. Her departure wasn’t a convenient plot device; it was the culmination of seasons of emotional struggle, complicated loyalties, and an impossible choice. The aftermath left Voight reeling, Halstead adrift, and the team’s dynamic fractured. Fans didn’t just watch her leave — they lived with the consequences.
Compare that to some of NCIS’s most notable exits. Tony DiNozzo’s farewell was heartfelt but wrapped up with a bow, complete with a surprise child reveal that neatly tied his story to Ziva. Abby Sciuto’s departure was touching but resolved in a single episode. By the time the next case rolled around, the loss felt strangely distant.
Chicago PD knows that real loss doesn’t fade in 42 minutes. The absence lingers. It changes how the team works, how they trust each other, and how they carry themselves in the field. This commitment to realism makes every exit feel like a seismic event, not a scheduling update.
That is the one detail where Chicago PD simply outclasses NCIS. It does not just say goodbye — it makes you feel the weight of goodbye long after the credits roll. And for fans who crave authenticity and emotional depth, that makes all the difference.
