The Rookie Season 8: The Bold Character Exit That Could Finally Save the Show!

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No one wants to see any member of the cast of The Rookie leave, but one character is overdue for an exit heading into season 8, especially after the show’s two most recent finales. The ABC police procedural series has featured a few cast departures over the years. Unlike other network TV shows, though, The Rookie‘s original cast has stayed mostly intact. Yes, Titus Makin Jr.’s Jackson West, Afton Williamson’s Talia Bishop, and Mercedes Mason’s Zoe Andersen are gone, but the latter two left during or right after season 1. Meanwhile, Jackson has been absent since the season 3 finale.

Nevertheless, The Rookie hasn’t lost many characters throughout its seven seasons. Most of the important figures (e.g., John Nolan, Lucy Chen, Tim Bradford, Angela Lopez, Wade Grey, etc.) have remained and are set to return in season 8. All the main characters deserve to stay, but one recurring member of the cast is still hanging around The Rookie and is dragging the series down. Consequently, they must leave at the beginning of season 8, for the sake of The Rookie‘s quality and longevity.

Why The Rookie Seasons 6 & 7 Had Mediocre Finales

Both The Rookie season 6 finale and The Rookie season 7 finale had the opportunity to be great. Instead, they served as mediocre ends to overall mediocre seasons. Neither were they all that memorable, nor did they double as perfect (or even suitable) bookends to their respective seasons. Plus, the episodes share one thing in common — they unnecessarily prolonged Monica Stevens’ villain arc.

Ultimately, the finale of The Rookie season 6 was quite overwhelming, while the next season’s curtain call was the exact opposite.

At the end of The Rookie season 6, episode 10, “Escape Plan,” Monica somehow got away from Nolan, Harper, and three characters from The Rookie: Feds (Matt Garza, Laura Stensen, and Brendon Acres). But she wasn’t the only villain in the 2024 finale. In fact, “Escape Plan” was jam-packed with antagonists, varying from old ones such as Oscar Hutchinson and Jason Wyler to new criminals, most of whom I can’t even remember the names of. Ultimately, the finale of The Rookie season 6 was quite overwhelming, while the next season’s curtain call was the exact opposite.

After Monica’s escape, she wasn’t seen for a long time, aside from her fleeting appearance in The Rookie season 7, episode 11. Then, the season 7 finale rolled around (which included Nolan going head-to-head with Oscar and losing, and a couple of other inconsequential storylines), and Monica made her grand entrance. At the end of the last episode, the characters learned that Monica had made a deal for her immunity. She briefly addressed Nolan, Angela, Grey, and Wesley, asking if they missed her, before the screen faded to black.

Monica’s cameo was probably the only impactful development in The Rookie season 7, episode 18, “The Good, the Bad, and the Oscar,” and it lasted for about five seconds. Plus, the excitement surrounding Monica’s return didn’t last long once I realized that this meant her villain arc had been prolonged once again, further tainting the already lousy finale. All in all, The Rookie had released two bad finales in a row, and they both featured Monica.

The Rookie Has Overused Monica At This Point

The Show Has Drawn Out Monica’s Story For Too Long

Bridget Regan’s Monica Stevens has been around since The Rookie season 5. The ABC police procedural series initially did a good job of building her villain origin story as she went from working for a cartel leader to being a criminal mastermind herself. However, The Rookie should have ended Monica’s arc a long time ago, especially when it was at its peak in season 6. Unfortunately, though, the show took too long to fully execute her story. As a result, Monica overstayed her welcome when she should have been arrested or defeated in some other way a long time ago.

It’s Time For Monica’s Villain Arc To Come To An End

Monica Has Been The “Big Bad” Long Enough

There is only so much a TV series can do with one villain (unless it’s Lex Luthor in Smallville). There also comes a time when the writers must move on and explore other options concerning “Big Bads” to prevent their show from becoming stagnant. Instead, Monica is back and better than ever, heading into The Rookie season 8.

The good news is that there is still time for The Rookie to rectify its mistakes. Season 8 could close out Monica’s villain arc early on and promptly move past her character, while the audience can turn a blind eye to the fact that the previous finale set her up to play a big role in future episodes. The bad news is that, based on interviews with showrunner Alexi Hawley, Monica will likely be around quite a bit in season 8. At the very least, the premiere won’t resolve her story before the hour is up. Hawley told TV Insider:

“I think ultimately she will definitely play a part in season 8. It’s obviously early days. The writers’ room literally just started [on May 5], but I think there are facets to the immunity deal that we can play with that keep her sort of active in our world that really work with our storytelling.”

It sounds like The Rookie season 8 will thoroughly explore Monica’s immunity deal. While this would have been an exciting notion a couple of seasons ago, Regan’s character has become tired and overused. At the very least, the hope is that Monica’s tirade will finally come to an end in season 8, and season 9 (if ABC renews The Rookie again) can move on to bigger and better things.

Monica’s Story Ending Paves The Way For A Better The Rookie Season 8 Villain

The Show Needs A Fresh Antagonist

The Rookie needs to stop living in the past and look ahead to the future. Monica as the “Big Bad” isn’t anything new since the main Rookie characters have been warring with her since her introduction in season 5. And it’s been even earlier than that for Wesley since the two used to date. So, the end of Monica’s arc opens the door for other possibilities (i.e., a new antagonist).

The Rookie already has a great villain at its disposal who can replace Monica — Seth Gabel’s Liam Glasser. Of course, the show could always introduce a new enemy after Monica’s arc comes to a close, but Glasser has so much potential, and the writers would be wise to take advantage of it. Glasser could become the next Rosalind Dyer (especially because of his current incarcerated status). The only problem that stands in his way is Monica, meaning she must exit in The Rookie season 8.

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