Chicago P.D. season 12 episode 9 ending explained- Who is Kiana Cook's mother?
Chicago P.D. season 12 is back on NBC after its midseason hiatus. The latest episode 9, titled Friends and Family, aired on January 8, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET, and new episodes will be released on Wednesdays. The ongoing season takes forward the story of the patrol officers and Intelligence Unit of the fictional 21st district.
The Intelligence Unit, led by Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), introduced Toya Turner as Officer Kiana Cook this season. Cook is a former tactical officer who was demoted to a patrol officer. Her competence and dedication led to her being recruited into the Intelligence Unit by Voight.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Chicago P.D. season 12 episode 1.
Since her introduction, fans have been curious about Kiana Cook's past. In the episode released yesterday, viewers got a glimpse of Cook's familial life and her relationship with her mother. It is revealed that her mother, Patricia Dixon (Marie-Francoise Theodore), is part of a wealthy family, unlike Kiana's father, William Cook, who runs a convenience store.
Chicago P.D. season 12 episode 9 discloses details about Kiana Cook's background
Chicago P.D. season 12 episode 9 offered significant insight into Officer Kiana Cook’s background. The episode opened with Kiana helping her father, William Cook, at their family-owned convenience store in Garfield Park, a neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. Their conversation and William's reassurance to manage the store on his own showed that the duo were on good terms.
While returning from the store and heading to work, Kiana saw a car crash. One of the people involved in the accident, Gregory, revealed that his wife and children had been kidnapped. During the investigation that followed, Cook disclosed a personal connection that took her team by surprise. Since the department was unable to help with the ransom despite Voight trying his best, Kiana turned to her estranged mother to secure the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
Chicago P.D. season 12 showcased that Kiana's mother, Patricia Dixon (Marie-Francoise Theodore), came from a wealthy family, and the duo didn't get along. After not being in touch for three years, her mother agreed to provide the money on one condition. She wanted Kiana to attend a high-society fundraiser and change her hairstyle to please her grandfather, who wanted to be an alderman.
Through conversations with Adam Ruzek, Kiana disclosed that she was raised solely by her father after her parents' one-night stand. Her mother’s family was not very fond of her father. Talking to NBC Insider (January 8, 2025) about Kiana's character, showrunner Gwen Sigan said:
"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 polices and what this job really means to her."
Chicago P.D. season 12: The team rescues two kidnapped children
The central case in Chicago P.D. season 12 episode 9, revolved around the kidnapping of two children and their mother. The case began when Kiana witnessed the car crash and, while assisting Gregory, learned about the abduction. Gregory told her he was trying to gather the ransom money to save his family.
The Intelligence Unit got involved in the case and learned that the kidnappers had set the ransom price at $200,000 for the safe return of the hostages. Gregory died in the surgery, but the kidnappers did not know this and sent a video of his wife being shot to his phone. Through the video, the team intercepted the kidnappers, but when they reached the location, they found out that the wife was killed.
With limited time on their hands, the team got together to find the kidnappers' hideout while trying to secure the ransom. Voight turned to Deputy Chief Reid for the money but was halfway successful. As a last-case scenario, Kiana offered to get help from her mother, who did help but with certain conditions.
The team set up a sting operation, and even though they fell into a trap first, they were able to capture the guy who had picked up the ransom. Once they painted him a picture of his prison life, he revealed his motive and the location of the children. In a plot twist, it wasn't Gregory's gambling addiction that led to the kidnapping, but the affair of his wife with one of the kidnappers.
After she chose her husband over him, he resorted to this crime. The two children were rescued unharmed and would be raised by their uncle in the future, giving a successful resolution to the tense and emotional case.
Chicago P.D. season 12 is available on NBC and Peacock.
