Predictability vs. Character Development: Analyzing The Rookie Season 7, Episode 9

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The midseason premiere of The Rookie season 7 had much to live up to following the thrilling previous hour. Thankfully, “The Kiss” doesn’t disappoint. Since episode 8 is one of The Rookie season 7’s best outings yet, episode 9 still falls short of meeting that impossible standard. However, “The Kiss” serves as a satisfying, albeit predictable, ending to the midseason finale’s jaw-dropping cliffhanger, which featured a member of the Sixth Street Devils gang shooting James and Kylie while driving by the community center.

Episode 9 begins right where the last episode left off. After hearing the gunshots, Celina rushes outside, sees James and Kylie bleeding out on the ground, and calls for help. Throughout the hour, James and Kylie’s lives hang in the balance while The Rookie season 7 characters search for the shooter, Connor, and try to clear Harper’s name. They are successful, and everyone (except for Connor) gets a happy ending. While the episode could have featured higher stakes, it still nicely caps off season 7’s first half, clearing the way for new stories.

The Rookie Season 7, Episode 9 Is A Satisfying Conclusion To Episode 8’s Cliffhanger

The Hour Is Emotional From Beginning To End

In the wake of the shooting at the end of episode 8, the midseason premiere takes full advantage of the emotional situation to pull our heartstrings and provide a gratifying ending to the previous cliffhanger. Consequently, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the hour’s story, largely thanks to Mekia Cox’s performance. Harper is, without a doubt, one of the ABC show’s most underrated, underutilized characters. Now, though, Cox’s character is finally getting the screentime and attention she deserves.

While the ending is satisfying because James and Kylie survive and The Rookie characters catch Connor, it’s also a bit predictable. It never feels like James is in danger of dying, despite Harper’s palpable distress about the situation. If episode 9 incorporated more scenes of James in surgery or on the brink of death, perhaps the stakes would have felt higher, leading us to believe he might succumb to his gunshot wounds. Nevertheless, Cox’s performance is enough to make us sympathize with Harper and wrap them up in the episode’s story.

“The Kiss” Seamlessly Weaves In Side Stories Without Losing Focus On The Big Picture

Celina Solves Her First Case As A P2

“The Kiss” manages to perfectly balance the big story (the aftermath of the drive-by shooting) with smaller ones, resulting in an hour full of tension and classic The Rookie moments. For example, Celina, with the help of Bailey, solves her first case since graduating from being a rookie. Additionally, Bailey faints from dehydration. Did anyone else think Bailey passed out because she might be pregnant? Or was that just me? Whatever the case, it all happens at the hospital, ensuring the episode doesn’t lose focus on Harper or James.

The Rookie season 7, episode 9 also contains a handful of funny moments, reminding us that the ABC police procedural series excels at humor and pathos. From Nolan’s “Cop a Feel” comment to classic Tim/Lucy banter, the hour never forgets its roots. Of course, the comedy never takes away from the episode’s emotional beats.

Nolan & Harper’s Heart-To-Heart Is One Of The Rookie’s Best Scenes

The Rookie Finally Reminds Viewers Of Nolan & Harper’s Connection

“The Kiss” undoubtedly focuses on Harper. However, the midseason premiere also sneakily revolves around Harper’s connection with Nolan. Nolan is the one who saw Kylie kiss James, and he feels awful about it because he knows it’s hurting Harper, someone who means a lot to him. The two characters don’t directly interact until the hour’s end, but when they finally do, the result is one of The Rookie‘s best moments in the show’s history. Nolan visits Harper at the hospital once the case is closed and tells her:

“I really did not like having to lie to you. You are — and this is going to sound goofy when I say it out loud, but you are in no small way my hero. And that’s not just because you’ve helped me out of some really tough spots, but because there’s just no one better as a cop, as a mom, and as a human.”

The Rookie hasn’t exactly shined a light on Nolan and Harper’s friendship since he graduated from being a rookie and she stopped being his training officer. However, the scene at the end of episode 9 reminds us of their close bond. Harper even pulls Nolan in for a hug (something unheard of for her character) after he admits how much she means to him. Ultimately, this moment between Nolan and Harper won’t be soon forgotten and is the best thing The Rookie has done all season for Nolan’s character. All of a sudden, he’s likable again.

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