In “I Will Be Walking,” this week’s episode of Chicago Fire, this member of NBC’s Chicago franchise exhibited the best of its heroes. How refreshing to see civil servants portrayed as decent human beings making a difference in the life of an inner city teenager – especially given the reputations of real life politicians and police in Chicago...
Lt. Matt Casey (Jesse Spencer) and the crew at Firehouse 51 respond to a call that turns into the rescue of a teenager strapped onto a steel rail under the ‘L’ tracks. He was put up there by some gang bangers seeking retaliation for the teen’s (Victor’s) older brother’s decision to partner up with Chicago P.D. and leave the gang.
Lt. Casey is a recently elected Chicago Alderman. Deciding to try and work something out with the gang to get Victor off their hit list – after being chastised by Victor’s grandmother for the gang violence in her neighborhood – Casey meets with a couple of the thugs. Even after offering to “do them a favor” if a deal was made, the thugs ended up backing out of the agreement.
Victor is an honor student and only days from graduating from Kennedy Park East High School. Casey decides that since the safety of Victor can’t be solved by an Alderman, he’ll solve it as a man. He insists on walking Victor to his graduation.
Of course the rest of the squad shows up in support, along with a few Chicago P.D. members. It’s all-good in the hood. A non-political solution to a community problem is in full display, and it’s a nice change of pace from all the police v. minorities stories in the news these days.
Grandmother: - Alderman Casey.
Casey: - Call me Matt.
Grandmother: - He's not listening to me.
Casey: - Hey. You going?
Victor: - Yeah.
Casey: - I'll go with you.
Victor: - I don't need a babysitter
Casey:- Yeah, I know you don't. But I'm walking with you.
Victor: - I'll get my cap and gown.
Chief Boden: - Ready when you are, Lieutenant.
Casey: - Chief Boden once told me, "A hero's not somebody who's unafraid. "It's the guy who's scared to death and does what's right anyway."
Victor:- Thanks, Mr. Casey.
What a tribute to the character of the men and women who protect and serve our communities every day, in ways big and small!
A political consultant pays a visit to Casey after seeing the escort on YouTube. Bigger things may be in store for him...
The Chicago franchise will soon be expanded to include Chicago Justice.
