Missing in Action: The Character The Rookie Forgot—And Why It’s a Huge Mistake

The Rookie 0

The Rookie Season 7 reintroduced multiple characters we had not seen for a while, with some reemerging years after their last appearances. Tim Bradford’s ex-girlfriend, Rachel Hall (Jasmine Mathews), last showed up five years ago in Season 2, and we last saw Abigail Tierney (Madeleine Coghlan), Henry Nolan’s ex-fiancée, during Season 3! Another recurring character from the early years of The Rookie is overdue for a return in Season 8: John Nolan’s ex-girlfriend, Jessica Russo (Sarah Shahi). Russo, a Homeland Security agent, and a former FBI hostage negotiation specialist, dated John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) early in the show’s run. Their relationship didn’t work out, and she disappeared from the show completely. However, recent events set up the perfect way to organically have Russo return to the show and reconnect with Nolan. It’s time to bring Jessica Russo back to The Rookie!

Jessica Russo and John Nolan Started a Relationship in the First Season

Russo debuted in The Rookie way back during the first season’s fifteenth episode, “Manhunt,” where she consulted with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Mid-Wilshire Division. For those keeping score, that episode aired way back in March 2019, over six years ago. Russo was teaching the officers about dealing with bomb threats and hostage negotiation situations. Sparks flew between Russo and Nolan early, and the two were already in a relationship by her next appearance in Season 1, Episode 17, “The Shake Up.” Their relationship later carried over into the second season. The pairing made sense at the time, with Nolan newly single and available after he and his fellow rookie officer Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) mutually agreed to end their relationship earlier in the season.

Unfortunately, Nolan and Russo broke up after a pregnancy scare in the Season 2 episode “Safety.” Although it turned out to be a false alarm, Russo realized she was ready to become a mother, but Nolan was not prepared to make that type of commitment. Sadly, that was Russo’s last appearance in the series, and we have not seen her again in over five years!

Shahi stood out as a great recurring addition to the cast. She and Fillion shared an interesting dynamic, and it was fun to see their characters’ relationship blossom. The way things ended between the two was a bit sad, but Nolan was just not ready for a fatherly commitment after his recent divorce and so early into his career in the LAPD. Russo’s exit from the series always makes us wonder what it would be like if things had played out differently between Russo and Nolan. True, Russo determined she wanted to become a mom, but would things have worked out if they continued dating? It’s something worth exploring, and recent events in Season 7 have set up the perfect way to bring Russo back into the fold.

The Monica Stevens Development Presents the Perfect Avenue to Reintroduce Jessica Russo

The Rookie Season 7 finale revealed that the diabolical Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) received an immunity deal from the federal government. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Matthew Garza (Felix Solis) discloses that the government was leveraged with stolen intel orchestrated by Monica. In addition, Felix stated that the entire intelligence community and the Justice Department evaluated the intel and the repercussions of a potential leak. Garza would reveal only that the intel was “beyond national intelligence, including sources and methods.” That little bit of exposition provides the perfect avenue to bring Jessica Russo back into the fold.

Russo was working in Homeland Security when she last appeared in the series, making her a part of the intelligence community that would have evaluated the intel that Monica stole. There is no better way to reintroduce Russo than to reveal that she is investigating Monica as well. DHS deals with cybersecurity, economic security, and cyber threats, which appear to relate to Monica’s recent activities in Season 6, with her role in the Federal Reserve heist and the stolen intel in Season 7.

Russo returning to the series would serve the show in multiple ways. One, it brings a familiar face and a great actor back to the show. Two, it allows viewers to catch up on Russo’s life since she left. Did she ever have children or remarry? Did she move up in her DHS career? Frankly, Russo is so competent, goal-oriented, and determined that it would not surprise anyone if she had become Secretary or Deputy Secretary of DHS in just a few years — even while juggling a career and motherhood. Third, Russo would finally reconnect with Nolan after quite a few years and significant changes in his life.

Russo’s Return Would Offer Proper Closure to Her Relationship With Nolan

As awkward and out-of-nowhere as the Rachel Hall return during Season 7, it did provide some positive outcomes. It finally clarified what occurred between Rachel and Tim off-screen, considering they did not break up in the Season 2 finale when Rachel was leaving Los Angeles for New York. Also, it was revealed that Lucy gave her dear friend Rachel a heads-up before she started dating Tim, and Rachel gave Lucy the go-ahead to do so. That development always seemed awkward since Lucy set up Tim and Rachel on their blind date in the first place. Finally, Tim and Rachel got some much-needed closure in their relationship, which was rewarding for the viewers as well. The same thing should happen with Nolan and Russo. Even though they didn’t end the relationship off-screen, there is unfinished business there that Russo’s return could resolve.

Russo’s hypothetical return to the series would provide a chance to show both characters doing well and moving on in their lives and careers, even though their relationship did not work out. It would also be greatly amusing to see Nolan’s second wife, Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan), possibly meeting Russo. Considering their respective backgrounds, they would likely get along and become friends. Russo’s presence as Nolan’s ex-girlfriend does not necessarily mean any romantic drama would ensue between the two women. Ultimately, Russo’s return is something that needs to happen, and the show needs to explore it in Season 8! It remains to be seen if Russo ever makes her long-awaited return to The Rookie, but with Season 8 currently in the works and slated to debut later next year, there is certainly a chance.

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