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

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.

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