Chicago PD Season 12: Episode 10’s Central Thriller Is Just Like This Cult Film

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As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice that even the most creative dramas sometimes draw inspiration from unexpected places, and this was evident in Season 12, Episode 10 of “Chicago P.D.”, titled “Zoe”. This episode revolves around Zoe, an eight-year-old girl who appears to be the sole survivor of a double homicide, waiting for her father who she believes always returns for her. However, a DNA test reveals an intriguing twist – Zoe isn’t biologically related to her deceased mother and newborn sibling.

Detective Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) becomes entangled in an investigation where he discovers that Zoe’s father is a ruthless serial killer, targeting single mothers and their children when they don’t live up to his ideal standards of perfection. With another potential victim in the crosshairs, Ruzek is now in a race against time to prevent this family-destroying individual from committing further atrocities. Although this storyline might not have been what some “Chicago P.D.” fans had anticipated, it does share similarities with the 1987 horror film, “The Stepfather,” which terrorized moviegoers worldwide and gave rise to a series of sequels. Despite some new twists, including Ruzek’s father “Disco” Bob Ruzek (Jack Coleman), the main narrative bears a striking resemblance to this classic slasher story.

The Stepfather drew a lot of attention to Terry O’Quinn

The Stepfather” showcases Terry O’Quinn, a future star of “Lost,” in a groundbreaking performance as Jerry Blake, a man who adopts numerous personas and aliases in his quest for domestic tranquility as a stepfather. However, each family he attempts to create meets with disaster due to his unyielding demand for perfection. Consequently, he eliminates all of them, alters his identity and appearance, and repeatedly tries to construct the idyllic suburban family, only to encounter obstacles — including stepchildren determined to safeguard their mothers by taking lethal action against him. The film inspired two straight-to-video sequels and a remake in 2009, cementing Jerry as one of the most chilling parents ever portrayed on screen.

As a fan, I must admit that although Jerry hasn’t had Mini-Zoe by his side as a partner, I’m confident he could handle her father when we eventually meet him. The series has yet to unveil his identity, leaving young Zoe in limbo within the foster care system while the police pursue the culprit. This situation suggests that her story might continue later in the season. For now, despite it being a common trope in horror shows, it’s challenging to dismiss this narrative thread as just another recycled One Chicago storyline.

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2025-01-31 02:59