Talk about, “This is just what the doctor ordered….”
This week on ABC’s The Rookie, Officer Lucy Chen (played by Melissa O’Neil) enlisted her boot, Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher), to help stand guard outside the hospital room of one of three teenage girls who’d been stabbed in the park.
Along the way, Lucy observed Seth bump into his oncologist. Make that, his former oncologist. Seth explained to his former doctor, in front of Lucy, that his cancer had come back.
But… why not come back to her, as his oncologist, the female doctor asked.
Seth claimed that she wasn’t in-network with the LAPD insurance plan, so his GP referred him to a new oncologist. The lady doc raised a slight eyebrow, but wished him well.
Afterward, Lucy pulled Sgt. Grey’s wife, Luna (Angel Parker), aside to ask about Seth’s new oncologist. Luna wasn’t inclined to talk outside of school, but… she indicated that Seth’s doctor was not at all well-regarded, and is just the sort to lie about a diagnosis for a price.
Later in Seth’s shift, Lucy pulled him into a neighboring hospital room, where both Sgt. Grey (Richard T. Jones) and Tim (Eric Winter) were waiting. Grey firmly informed Officer Ridley that what happens in the next moments will determine the fate of his career with the LAPD.
“Chen has alerted us to her concern that you have lied about multiple things in the course of your training,” Grey said, alluding to the whole cancer thing, the assorted girlfriends who all dodged assorted calamities, and maybe even also that road that was was ruled unsafe during the wildfire.
Seth started to do that thing he does — “explain” — but Grey cut him off, saying, “I’ve been briefed on your explanations, and I find them lacking.” And at the moment, the main topic is “the veracity of your cancer diagnosis.”
Chen then invited Seth to submit to a blood draw to prove it, as is the LAPD’s right.
“This is nuts, for you to even imply that I would be lying about something so serious,” Seth told the trio.
“Yes or no, Officer Ridley,” barked Tim.
Grey and Bradford then made clear that Seth’s refusal to submit to a blood draw will result in his immediate termination — as would a negative result, if he does comply.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Seth bleated, first arguing, “I have rights,” before taking a turn down Sympathy Street. “I can’t lose this. I love being a cop,” he pleaded. “I can be better.”
“Yes or no, son.”
“No, sir,” Officer Ridley sniveled. “I will not submit to the injustice of a blood draw, and I will be suing you and the department for medical discrimination!” Hey, maybe one of his nearly dead ex-girlfriends is a lawyer?
Grey informed Ridley that he has “failed to complete probationary duties, which include following all lawful orders.” He thus had Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire turn over his badge and gun, after which Tim and Lucy went to lead the kicked-off boot back to the station to collect his things. And if he tries to return to Mid-Wilshire, he will be arrested.
Are you happy, thrilled or delighted to see Seth get what was coming to him? Hit the comments to wish him… farewell!
