After a Valentine’s Day episode with romance and heartbreak, The Rookie returned with a surprising episode continuing to focus on character over action. John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) are tasked with babysitting two criminals. Meanwhile, Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and her rookie Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher) go undercover. It was a surprising and fun episode showing the series has hit its stride.
Just a few seasons ago, fans wondered if The Rookie planned to kill off Nyla Harper and James Murray. Thankfully, that didn’t happen, but the two characters did fade into the background. James was introduced in Season 3 as a community advocate, and their relationship was unlikely. While it was a smaller story in “The Mickey,” The Rookie had Harper (Mekia Cox) finally meet James (Arjay Smith) halfway on his desire to make policing better. She and Nolan will start an advocacy board for cops trying to make things better. This is an element of the series that’s been downplayed in recent years, so it’s a positive sign The Rookie is picking it up again. The other stories in the episode are classic, street-level stories the show is known for. Yet, instead of a big, action-heavy gunfight, the episode subverted expectations with a (slightly) less violent resolution.
The Chenford Resurgence Keeps Moving Forward as Tim Keeps ‘Doing the Work’
From a Support Group to Being ‘Emotionally Available,’ Bradford Is Evolving
Season 6’s Chenford breakup devastated fans, but they got a glimmer of hope when Tim and Lucy reconnected on Valentine’s Day. The episode opened with another positive sign for that segment of The Rookie fan community. Sure, Tim spoke about their night together with regret, but he did so at a support group for veterans. His issues were what drove the separation, and in “The Mickey” he makes it explicit that Tim’s ultimate goal is to get back together with Lucy.
Tim Bradford to his Veteran Support Group: I knew it was a bad idea in the moment. That I was being selfish. That I hadn’t finished doing the work to fix what I broke.
In Season 3, Bradford helped a fellow combat veteran, Katie Barnes, but she left the force. He’s since discovered that he holds onto his own traumas from his time in the service. This is a fantastic depiction of veteran struggle rarely depicted on television. He’s a capable officer, a good trainer and a reliable friend. Yet, he still has some things to work out, and he’s brave enough to seek help. It’s one of two really positive examples The Rookie depicts in “The Mickey.”
During an overnight duty with Nolan, Bradford shows his emotional growth by being “emotionally available” for Nolan. He’s still struggling with a fight he had with his wife Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan), though he kept the details to himself. Bradford speaks frankly and openly about the emotionally mature way to approach this problem. At least he didn’t offer Nolan the name of an attorney like the thrice-divorced (this decade) Quigley Smitty.
The Rookie Resolves the Nolan and Bailey Marital Fight With an Important Story
The Series Highlighted the Scourge of Domestic Violence with Positive Representation
The previous three episodes of The Rookie dealt with Jason Wyler, Bailey’s abusive ex-husband. Manipulative and devious, the series thus far has painted what Bailey suffered as emotional. Yet, he tried to kill her, framed her and almost broke up her marriage. It’s not until she met Diana, a woman who runs a shelter, that she was able to face up to the full extent of how Jason terrorized her.
Some fans found Bailey annoying at first, but this episode could change that for the majority of viewers. She’s taken out criminals and saved lives on The Rookie before, but talking with Diana about her trauma is one of her bravest moments. Both this discussion and Bradford seeking help is more than just compelling character drama. It might just be the thing that inspires someone in the audience who is struggling to seek help themselves.
Unsurprisingly, once Bailey lays this all out for Nolan, he lets go of his anger and judgment. In fairness to him, she was (technically) an accessory to murder. However, her communication with a hitman hunting her husband was done out of fear. Also, for what it’s worth, her information didn’t actually help him. If anything, the hitman warned her about Jason still being in Los Angeles, albeit too late.
In ‘The Mickey’ the Two Police Work Stories Are Resolved in Unexpected Ways
Rather Than Traditional Action, The Rookie Subverted Audience Expectations
In Season 7, The Rookie revitalized its unique storytelling, specifically focusing on a number of smaller, street-level cases each week. With “The Mickey,” Nolan runs afoul of some gunrunners, who steal is his shop but then cut a deal. He and Bradford are left to guard the two overnight. But when Mickey tries to turn the tables, his partner — a returning character called “the Hammer” who likes to fight cops — flips them right back. It’s a humorous and lighthearted ending that surely surprised the audience.
The more interesting police story in “The Mickey” involved the return of Lucy’s spiritual little sister. Tamara Collins moved out of their apartment in Season 6, but she came back when she found someone pushing prescription drugs on her college campus. Seth had to pose as her boyfriend for a simple “buy and walk” drug sting. Yet, he ended up being taken by the drug dealer to meet his “boss.”
Again, The Rookie subverted expectations. Rather than a big, dangerous gun battle, Lucy is able to save Seth by setting up an impromptu sobriety checkpoint. The drug dealer made it easy by accidentally spilling pills everywhere. What was even more interesting was that Seth and Tamara hit it off. Because of Seth’s habitual lying, Lucy tried to warn Tamara off, but it had the opposite effect. This creates an even more complicated web of tension around Lucy and her new rookie.
The Rookie Has Found Its Groove in Season 7 With Fresh and Familiar Faces
While Focused on Street-Level Policing, the Show Loses Another Trainee
With Season 7, The Rookie has definitely hit its stride. While fans are rightly still upset about the loss of Aaron Thorsen from the cast, the show is still delivering excellent episodes. In fact, given Tamara’s return, it’s possible the former Mid-Wilshire officer shows up in a future episode. The addition of Ridley and Miles Penn (Deric Augustine) allows the show to get back to its roots. In fact, Penn had a touching story tied to the domestic abuse arrest. The episode ended with him offering to volunteer at the shelter.
The other big moment came for Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez) who finished her stint as Nolan’s first rookie. She has been a fun and exciting addition to the cast, and that will only grow now that she’s no longer a “boot.” It’s possible Nolan gets a new rookie or picks up Seth from Lucy, who was only supposed to be a temporary training officer. Either way, the focus in these stories on that element of the job is what makes The Rookie stand apart from its peers.
Hopefully, the advisory board Harper starts is something that comes back in future episodes. Part of training cops is teaching them the right way to police the community, which allows the show to do even more for the public good. This critique of policing in America has been mostly absent since the death of Jackson West (Titus Makin, Jr.). The Rookie is a series with a lot of heart. This element allows it to be on full display, while also making room for the romance and character relationships fans love best.
