Here we are again — another disappointing finale of The Rookie that feels much more like a regular episode than one that closes out a season. ABC’s police procedural series seemed to be regaining its footing towards the middle of season 7. However, the last few episodes of The Rookie season 7 have simply been dull and dissatisfying. Of course, there have been some highlights, and “The Good, the Bad, and the Oscar” isn’t without some good moments.
In season 7, episode 18, we learn that Nolan has been keeping up with developments concerning Oscar Hutchinson since his escape in the Rookie season 6 finale. This comes as a surprise given that Nolan hasn’t mentioned Oscar since the beginning of season 7. Nevertheless, Nolan tracks Oscar’s next movements and gets permission from Lieutenant Grey to serve as a detective for a day alongside Harper to find the criminal. They do, but Oscar ultimately gets away. Then, at the end of the season 7 finale, Monica returns after having made a deal for her immunity.
The Rookie Season 7 Finale Doesn’t Feel Like A Finale
Season 7’s Last Episode Fails To Raise The Stakes
Despite Monica’s sudden return at the end of “The Good, the Bad, and the Oscar,” the episode never gives the impression that it’s a finale. The Rookie season 7, episode 8 actually felt much more like a finale. It was able to pull in more than one storyline (the wildfire, hunting down Liam Glasser, and the Sixth Street Devils) that all seemed to connect in a way that made sense and was highly entertaining. Episode 8 even ended with a better cliffhanger than episode 18. Essentially, The Rookie season 7 finale is missing high stakes.
Instead of wholly focusing on Oscar and Monica’s returns, The Rookie season 7, episode 18 wastes time on irrelevant, episodic storylines (aka “cases of the week”). It’s unclear why the hour includes a case about a woman catfishing her husband and the Eastern Front targeting Miles. Both cases are solved by the finale’s end, meaning they could’ve been in any other normal episode. Perhaps the Eastern Front will return. However, the finale doesn’t spend enough time on the storyline to leave an impression, and will likely be forgotten about it by the time season 8 rolls around.
Ultimately, it’s hard to care about Monica’s return when we don’t have an inkling of what it means for the characters or season 8.
Meanwhile, Monica’s episode 18 appearance is anticlimactic. Aside from her brief stint in The Rookie season 7, episode 11, the show has been avoiding Monica. Consequently, it’s difficult to be excited about her coming back, especially because she has very little screen time in the finale. If The Rookie had dropped a few teases about Monica’s whereabouts and plans throughout season 7, perhaps I’d be singing a different tune. However, that’s not the case. Ultimately, it’s hard to care about Monica’s return when we don’t have an inkling of what it means for the characters or season 8.
“The Good, The Bad, & The Oscar” Doesn’t Make Good On Its Promises Regarding Tim & Lucy’s Reunion
Tim & Lucy’s “Talk” Is One-Sided
Tim and Lucy will likely be back together in The Rookie season 8. But I can’t help but feel frustrated by how season 7 has handled their story. They haven’t earned a reunion as the series has failed to properly develop their newfound dynamic and prove how Tim has changed, making him the man he thinks Lucy deserves. The Rookie needs to show, not tell. Now, it’s unclear where Tim and Lucy stand and how their relationship will be different this time around (if they are back together).
How The Rookie Season 8 Can Learn From Season 7’s Mistakes
The Show Must Do A Better Job Of Developing Its Villains
