The Shocking Truth Behind John Nolan’s Robbery-Homicide Dreams in ‘The Rookie’ Finale

The Rookie 0

The Rookie television series was originally built around John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), a single, newly divorced father who decides to become a police officer, wanting to reinvent his life after thwarting a bank robbery. Nolan’s character was inspired by the real-life story of William Norcross, a man in his 40s who joins the Los Angeles Police Department. In Season 1, Nolan starts his rookie probationary period. He then completed his rookie training and was eventually promoted to field training officer to teach the next generation of LAPD officers. However, at one point during his rookie training, Nolan wanted to go down a different path. In the first season, Nolan wanted to become a detective and join the Robbery-Homicide Division. Events transpired to shift Nolan’s career path, and the recent season finale exemplifies why Nolan should never become a full-fledged robbery-homicide detective.

John Nolan Originally Wanted to Become a Detective

During the first season, Nolan revealed to his original training officer, Talia Bishop (Afton Williamson), that he wanted to join the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division. The odds were already heavily stacked against Nolan since he joined the LAPD in his mid-40s, and it was likely that he would wash out of the training program. Of his rookie class in the Mid-Wilshire Division, Nolan, Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), and Jackson West (Titus Makin) eventually made it to the Officer II rank and completed their training programs. Sadly, Jackson West was murdered early in Season 4. Early in Season 3, Nolan’s plan to become an RHD detective was tossed out the window, and his career faced a demoralizing setback when he received a letter of reprimand for investigating the corrupt Detective Nick Armstrong (Harold Perrineau), who attempted to frame Nolan.

Thankfully, Nolan’s career survived the ordeal, but he opted to go down a different path and become a training officer. Shockingly, Nolan even earned the respect of Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) by showing his conviction for the task. He also becomes the LAPD’s Union Rep in Season 4. Nolan, as a compassionate individual, seeks to bring a mental health program and other positive changes to the LAPD, running into conflict with the Union President, who sought to block Nolan’s career aspirations for field training.

Early in Season 5, Nolan’s valiant efforts earned him a “golden ticket” from the chief of the LAPD. A golden ticket is a rare feat in the department, imbuing Nolan with his choice of positions in any division. Once again, Nolan proves his conviction. He had the opportunity to put his career back on track and join RHD or pick a safer, cushier job as a K-9 officer. Instead, Nolan remained steadfast in his desire to become a field training officer. He used his golden ticket to obtain the position, which he finally began in Season 5. Nolan’s choice proves his integrity. Although Nolan wanted to join RHD early in his rookie training days, he recognized that he could do better and bring about positive changes as a union rep and field training officer. He remained resolute and focused on that path, despite having his pick of any job he wanted in the department.

Nolan Fulfills His Initial Goal with His ‘Temporary Duty Assignment’ in the Season 7 Finale

Ironically, Nolan receives the opportunity to become “Detective Nolan,” albeit briefly, in the Season 7 finale, “The Good, The Bad, And The Oscar.” Lt. Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones) grants Nolan a temporary assignment to investigate the whereabouts of the escaped fugitive, Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave). Nolan predicts that Oscar plans to find an old accomplice in Bakersfield to retrieve some stolen diamonds. Lt. Grey trusts Nolan’s gut, tasking him and Detective Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) to surveil Bakersfield in an attempt to finally apprehend Oscar.

Nolan’s theory regarding Oscar proves correct, but Oscar captures Nolan and takes him hostage. Later, Oscar forces Nolan to dig up the diamonds, but Harper and a teen bystander with a remote-control drone manage to rescue him. Oscar escapes in a getaway chopper, but without his stolen diamonds, which Nolan retrieves. The recent brush with Oscar perfectly demonstrates why Nolan made the right choice to become a field training officer.

Nolan Found His True Calling as a Field Training Officer

Nolan is undeniably a keen and inquisitive individual. The late Zoe Andersen (Mercedes Mason), who died back in the first season, saw something special in Nolan. Nolan brought his life experience to the job that most young rookie recruits do not possess, and that life experience serves Nolan well as a police officer. Not to mention, his sensitivity and compassion for others are also strong assets in his job. Nolan’s work with his first trainee, Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez), proves that the role is Nolan’s true calling. Initially, Celina relies too heavily upon her superstitions and beliefs in the supernatural in her police work. Nolan earns Juarez’s trust and instructs her how to conduct herself as an officer the right way, along with how she can bring her unique instincts to her police work.

Additionally, Nolan briefly serves as the new training officer for Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher), who returns to the training program in “The Return.” Officer Ridley is wounded in the line of duty, saving Nolan’s life during the episode, but Ridley’s lower leg is amputated as a result of his gunshot wound. Nolan has a heartfelt talk with Ridley, convincing him that it’s finally time to come clean about his lies and find a new path. This special scene showcases Nolan’s gentle demeanor in his emotional confrontation with Ridley. Nolan did not seek to kick Ridley while the man was down. Nolan even encouraged Ridley that it’s possible to still work as a police officer.

This scene highlights Nolan’s compassion for others, a recurring thread throughout the series. He believes people deserve second chances and that people can redeem themselves when they make mistakes. Nolan’s unique empathy, understanding, and fatherly wisdom work better as a mentor and field training officer. Nolan was never cut out to be a detective, and that’s why Nolan stuck to his guns when he got his golden ticket. He found his true calling, which brings the character full circle from where he first began in Season 1.

All episodes of The Rookie are available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.

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