The Rookie Season 7 Finale: Villains Return, Plot Thickens!
This week concludes Season 7 in an understated manner. For the past two seasons, the creator of this series, Alexi Hawley, intensified the action, the tension, and the plot, steering the show away from its original concept about training new LAPD officers. However, Season 7, which resumed without a break since its debut, signifies not just a reversion to the original style but a significant progression in the narrative approach of the show. It has refocused on street-level policing, sowed the ground for fresh stories, and allowed them to develop gradually.
In “The Good, The Bad and The Oscar,” the Season 7 finale of “The Rookie” sees characters John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) embark on a mission that brings cowboy-style heroics into play during a CIA operation. Despite this, the episode maintains an intimate feel, concentrating more on character development than grand global chases or death-defying stunts reminiscent of “Mad Max: Fury Road.”
Recurring villain Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) was expected to face off with Nolan, and fans anticipated some resolution regarding the rekindling relationship between Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), now that he’s no longer her superior. Additionally, there was hope of seeing Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) again after a hint earlier in the season.
However, they do reappear, but it’s the manner in which they return that shows the writers of “The Rookie” have become more assured and patient with their storytelling.
The Rookie’s Central Season Finale Story Is an Interesting Change of Pace
John Nolan Versus Oscar Hutchinson Continues for Another Season
Though audiences are meant to perceive Oscar as a villain, they find themselves drawn to his charm instead. Over time, Glave mastered the art of portraying an “endearing sociopath,” making some viewers wish that he and Nolan were actual friends in real life. One particularly memorable scene in the finale occurs when Oscar tells Nolan their bond is the most solid one he’s ever had. This statement leaves audiences questioning why the writers opted to have him fly away on a helicopter instead of meeting a fiery end. The reason for this choice lies in the fact that viewers trust Oscar’s words, understanding that he would just as easily have killed Nolan if given the chance.
During a brief stint as an accomplice in a crime, Oscar vanished. He resurfaced later to claim the $10 million worth of diamonds his old gang had hidden years before. Interestingly, if Oscar had shared the loot with his original crew, Nolan and Harper may never have tracked him down. Regrettably for Oscar, Nolan seized the diamonds instead, leaving him empty-handed. As for the armed gunman who saved Oscar, viewers might wonder how he’d react to this development. However, Nolan informs his comrades that both the helicopter and the corpses of those mercenaries were discovered by the police.
Unlike typical police dramas, don’t consistently conclude with a thrilling gunfight and a slain suspect. There’s a somewhat derisive term among procedural writers for such stories they label “schmuck bait.” This refers to the fact that only those viewers so engrossed in the plot they forget the conventions of TV shows can believe that John Nolan is constantly in mortal peril. The reason “The Good, The Bad and The Oscar” is so effective is because there likely are many viewers who care more about Oscar’s outcome (and his ongoing role in the series) rather than Nolan’s. This is a testament to both the skillful character development by the writers, as well as Glave’s impressive performance.
The Season 7 Finale of The Rookie Balances 3 Smaller Police Stories in a Clever Way
Lucy Chen’s New Role Is the Focal Point, but the Ensemble Isn’t Left Behind
In the finale of Season 6, The Rookie came close to being absurdly intense, yet it was also remarkably clever. Typically, Lucy gets caught up in the show’s high-octane action, and this is why the start of Season 7’s finale is so masterfully done. As the new supervisor for the night shift, Lucy handles several calls that would normally be quite intense. However, as soon as she responds to one call, the scene swiftly transitions to her announcing “Code Four,” indicating everything is under control. But remember, this is The Rookie we’re talking about, so it doesn’t take long for Lucy to find herself in a critical, life-or-death situation where she truly shines.
In the finale, the least compelling plot revolves around humor, focusing on Angela Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) and Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) pursuing a bizarre crime case. The storyline unfolds when a hapless character named Julius (Scott Michael Campbell), in desperation to pay for his girlfriend’s operation, robs a bank. However, Lopez uncovers an unexpected twist: the photo of his supposed girlfriend is an artificially generated image. Behind the scenes, Lopez deduces that Julius’ wife Heidi (Kelly Fyre) orchestrated his downfall. Unfortunately, the show glosses over the heartbreaking reality that with both Julius and Heidi going to prison, their two young children are left without either parent. In essence, the narrative aims to bring laughter but falls short by not fully addressing the tragic consequences for the family involved.
Despite an unexpected turn of events, the climactic police matter underscores the show’s appeal. It also delivers the familiar, exhilarating, over-the-top action that ‘The Rookie’ is known for. Following a hint when Tim advises Miles to conceal his cop status on his dating profile, he secures a date for the night. However, instead of a romantic encounter, it turns out to be a trap set by the recurring antagonists, the Easter Front white supremacist group. Miles manages to flee in a thrilling high-speed chase with armed assailants. Simultaneously, Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez) contacts Lucy. Since their officers are stationed nearby, sleeping in their vehicles, the entire Mid-Wilshire “dream team” rushes to Miles’ aid and apprehends the criminals.
The Rookie Continues to Tease a Chenford Reunion Without Actually Committing to It
If Tim Gets to Ask Lucy the Question He Wanted, It’ll Be an Intense Escalation of the Romance
Although this scene appears lighthearted as it challenges Lucy’s new situation, it overlooks a significant issue. If Lucy’s underlings are negligent in their duties, she needs to tackle this head-on. This predicament could be part of Lucy’s character development for the season, considering there might have been enough time elapsed that she’s managed to get them back on track. The way “The Good, The Bad and The Oscar” handled The Rookie‘s season-long tease of Chenford’s reunion hints at this possibility. Upon her second night home, Lucy finds Tim cooking her favorite dishes, but he does have a hidden intention.
Although it was evident they still harbored feelings towards one another, The Rookie carefully managed expectations by suggesting a change in their living situation. However, as fate would have it, Lucy dozed off during Tim’s declaration of intent, oblivious to his proposal. This scene left the Chenford fans either chuckling or cursing their remote controls. For those rooting for them, The Rookie hinted that Tim’s presence provided Lucy with a sense of comfort and security so profound, she could drift off peacefully into slumber.
In a heart-stopping moment, it was during a time when Tim and Lucy expressed their deep love for each other, as they both thought death might be imminent. Despite being apart, Season 7 offered some wonderful Chenford scenes, such as their romantic encounters on holiday and unintentionally getting high while investigating an old hospital. This is encouraging news for fans, indicating that the storytellers can maintain their allure and chemistry, even by moving their relationship at a deliberate pace. Unfortunately, it seems that fans eagerly waiting for a Chenford wedding may have to hold on until The Rookie reaches its final season.
Season 7 Ends With a Soft Cliffhanger Setting Up a Puzzling Dynamic for Season 8
The Return of Monica Stevens Shows The Rookie Becoming a More Patient Series
In an exciting installment, Monica Stevens made her return after vanishing in the Argentinian wilderness. The bus robbery plot served as a decoy for Monica to pilfer highly confidential intelligence. Although viewers thought this was just an extension and intensification of her transformation into a criminal information broker, her strategy turned out to be far more intricate. Agent Garza (Felix Solis) from the , summoned Nolan, Angela, Wesley, and Lieutenant Wade Gray (Richard T. Jones) for a highly classified briefing.
In light of the previous seasons of “The Rookie”, viewers might have presumed that Monica’s storyline would be the main focus in the Season 7 finale. However, considering that Season 8 was not yet announced at the time, a cliffhanger ending wasn’t entirely unexpected. Yet, much like Glave portraying Oscar, Reagan’s Monica is an exceptionally captivating villain who is underutilized in any conventional police-criminal narrative. The intelligence she acquires isn’t destined for terrorists or foreign adversaries but serves as a means to strike an “immunity deal”. This implies that she could continue to pose a persistent problem for the Mid-Wilshire Division in the upcoming season.
It’s plausible that Garza, Stevens, and even Oscar might be part of what’s happening. Despite uncertainty about whether they knew the show was safe, Season 7 marked a return to its original quality for the series. The manner in which these episodes presented fresh storylines — including Harper’s police reform initiatives and Celina’s new relationship — without wrapping them up immediately demonstrates a new level of maturity. Instead of hastily concluding these plots as The Rookie often does, these stories are allowed to develop and evolve independently. This lends the show greater complexity while also satisfying long-term viewers, effectively laying the groundwork for future success.
The Rookie Season 8 will debut in the 2025-2026 television season on ABC.
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2025-05-15 03:36