Chicago PD just revealed Cook's family backstory, and it's definitely not what anyone expected!
Caution: This article contains SPOILERS for Chicago PD Season 12 Episode 9
Season 12 of Chicago PD had a stunning start as new Intelligence Unit member Martel (Victoria Cartagena) was shot and killed while she and Ruzek were hunting some dealers. Ruzek got into a chase with the shooters and was joined by patrol officer Kiana Cook (Toya Turner), who proved herself well in the chase.
A few episodes later, Cook helped the team on a murder case. That impressed Voight enough to arrange for Cook to join the Unit. She's done well with her street-smart instincts and is not afraid to speak her mind. That included chewing out Torres when he hid how he was romantically involved with a suspect, which put Cook in danger.
We met Cook's parents in Chicago PD season 12, episode 9
The latest episode, "Friends and Family", showed Cook meeting her father, a small store owner in Garfield Park, emphasizing she grew up in a poor setting. On the way back from her dad's, Cook saw a car crash and, while aiding the driver, discovered the man's wife and daughters had been kidnapped.
The Unit was on the case quickly with several turns. Hank wanted to get the $300,000 ransom organized to trap the kidnappers but given it was a Saturday, it was impossible for the department to get that money together. Cook then announced she could get it on her own.
To Ruzek's surprise, Cook led him to a mansion to meet her mother (Marie-Francoise Theodore). It was not a pleasant meeting with Cook's mother judging her being a cop. She agreed to loan the money on the condition that Cook show up at a posh fundraiser and "change your hair."
Ruzek (and the viewers) had plenty of questions, but those had to wait while the gang rescued the children from the kidnappers.
What's Cook's real story?
While the parents were tragically killed, Cook was able to save the daughters. She later revealed to Ruzek that she was the product of a one-night stand and that her mother's wealthy family had never approved of it. Thus, Cook was raised by her father with her mother's family never providing support.
As it happened, Cook's rich grandfather wanted to run for alderman and presenting a cop granddaughter was good for optics. Cook arrived at the party but, after seeing a scratch on her hand from saving the kid, turned to walk away.
Speaking to NBC Insider, showrunner Gwen Sigan shared how the twist will deepen the audience's connection to Cook.
"I think it gives you an insight into how layered she is as a character and how many different sides of her there are that we really only get to touch the surface of it in this episode. There's so much more you'll learn through this season as to who she is and sorta why she polices in the way she policies and what this job really means to her."
It's an intriguing twist as Cook had been shown as a down-to-earth street cop only to find she has a big connection to a wealthy Chicago family. That she chooses at the end not to play this game of being part of the society proves she wants to be a cop first and always closer to her dad.
Turner told NBC Insider that this shows Cook "can't be bought. It's one of the things that I love about her. It's about the justice, that's what matters."
So far, only Ruzek knows about Cook's life although it's likely Voight already checked out her background and knows, he just doesn't bring it up. We may see more of this dynamic as Cook's mother will want to pressure her to be more public with the family while she prefers being with her father. It's still fascinating to realize Cook has such a privileged background yet doesn't let it affect her.
It's a major character turn for Cook and only makes her journey on Chicago PD more exciting to watch.
Chicago PD Season 12 airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC.