While it was exciting when The Rookie released one of its best episodes ever in season 7, what came next was frustrating. The following episodes were quite inferior (to say the least), meaning none of them could hold a candle to season 7’s standout hour. As a result, it seems that even a perfect Rookie episode couldn’t save season 7.
When The Rookie is good, it’s really good. There’s a reason why it has stayed on the air for eight seasons (and counting). Unfortunately, the crime drama has struggled to capture the magic it had during its first few seasons as of late. Both seasons 6 and 7 of The Rookie were overall disappointments, and even one exceptional episode couldn’t redeem them.
The Rookie Season 7, Episode 8 Is One Of The Show’s Best Episodes
“Wildfire” Served As The Midseason Finale
The Rookie season 7, episode 8, “Wildfire,” is, by far, the ABC police procedural series’ best episode since season 5. For those who may not remember, the hour served as season 7’s midseason finale. It began with Nyla Harper tailing Liam Glasser, whom she strongly suspected was a serial killer. Everything got much more chaotic, though, when an intense wildfire started.
The episode featured The Rookie season 7’s characters assisting in the city’s evacuation, including helping set up a refuge spot at James’ community shelter for those displaced by the fire. Meanwhile, Glasser used the chaos to elude Harper and find his next victim. By the hour’s end, though, Harper and co. found Glasser and stopped him before he could kill anyone.
The Rookie season 7, episode 8 was full of tension and high stakes that left viewers on the edge of their seats. However, “Wildfire” also intertwined each story perfectly, contained a great villain, and produced one of Tim and Lucy’s best scenes in The Rookie. Overall, the episode suggested that the show was getting back on track. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“Wildfire” Made It Difficult For The Rest Of The Rookie Season 7 To Live Up To Its Standard
The Episode Set The Bar High
Yes, “Wildfire” was one of The Rookie‘s best episodes, but it came with a downside. The second half of season 7 couldn’t live up to episode 8 because it was that good, and it only served to set the season up for failure. Everything just went downhill after the midseason finale, and the last eight episodes were wholly disappointing and dissatisfying.
The Rookie season 7, episode 8 set the bar too high and raised expectations that the ABC cop TV show’s following episodes simply couldn’t meet. After “Wildfire” aired, one couldn’t help but hope that it would signal a shift in the TV series’ quality. It seemingly exuded the promise that The Rookie was finding its magic again, after all.
Instead, the back half of The Rookie season 7 contained contrived storylines, lackluster cases, and nonexistent character development. The final eight episodes also mishandled Tim and Lucy’s reunion arc and prioritized characters who didn’t need the attention (or more than they already got). Most plotlines were unnecessary, meaning The Rookie season 7 ended not with a bang but a whimper.
The Rookie Season 7’s Best Episode Can Help Season 8 Redeem The Show
Season 8 Can Learn A Thing Or Two From “Wildfire”
While “Wildfire” evidently set the bar too high for The Rookie season 7, the good news is that the crime drama can use the excellent episode to help season 8 right the ship. There’s still hope for the show. The Rookie just needs to understand why season 7’s midseason finale was such a success and keep it in mind when planning season 8.
Given that it didn’t debut too long ago, most of The Rookie season 7, episode 8’s content (stories, characters, etc.) can apply to season 8. So, the writers should take what worked in the episode and apply it to the show’s future. For example, Tim and Lucy’s aforementioned scene was the perfect way to address their feelings while still drawing out their reunion.
Additionally, Seth Gabel’s Liam Glasser is one of the best Rookie villains we have seen in a long time. The ABC police procedural series would be wise to bring Glasser back and make him the Big Bad, replacing Monica Stevens. Monica’s villain arc has been stretched out for far too long, and it’s time for it to end.
It also couldn’t hurt the show to up the stakes every once in a while. Intense moments shouldn’t be reserved for just premieres and finales (it’s, above all, a cop TV series that demands action). Here’s to hoping that we get all this and more in The Rookie season 8, and that “Wildfire” isn’t the show’s last great episode.
