The Rookie , ABC’s popular procedural drama is back for its seventh season. Picking up with many intense situations left in the previous season the story line now follows familiar and new faces while expanding on previous plot developments.
Season 7 Premiere
The Rookie returns on Tuesday, January 7 on ABC at 10pm ET. With 18 episodes slated this season is nearly double of season six so viewers have a lot to look forward to this season. The debut was with an episode named "The Shot" which follows the results of the prison break with Oscar and Jason.
Stream Options
Episodes are available on Hulu the day after its initial debut and gives many options for the viewers who want to watch it at a more suitable Time. These are also great for catch up as each episode continues its high tension theme.
Key Plotlines
The Prison Break
Season 6 finale left several things to be concerned with particularly Monica Stevens who was involved with a dirty cop. This caused a domino affect of escape. Oscar and Jason (Bailey’s ex) were free and now there was an all out search to contain their locations as quick as possible. All of these people create an elevated state of issues and have very personal motives as well.
New Rookie Characters
Miles Penn played by Deric Augustine who is from Texas transfers and has some previous experience. Patrick Keleher takes on the roll of Seth Ridley, who is less prepared for quick thinking scenarios and has limited experience. They are training under both Tim and Lucy and their dynamic is a driving point throughout the season. With the introduction of these characters they will face their own personal difficulties and adjustments to fit into the department.
Character Development and Relationships
Many favorite characters in the show are tested and explored deeper. Including Tim’s self doubt, and the complexities of Celina and Nolan’s working relationship all take center stage for many intense moments.
Tim and Lucy's Relationship
The once very connected partnership will explore the challenges both characters have since their break up with the added element of training the new rookies. Tim seems to understand his role in their fall out but it’s up to Lucy to decide their fate for reconnecting. Many viewers anticipate what will come from a fan favorite partnership.
Nolan and Bailey
Nolan is shown trying to move too quickly through recovery as Bailey's past relationship issues with Jason cause more issues regarding adoption for the family dynamic. This relationship will have many more struggles moving into the next portion of the series as Jason and Oscar were also previously connected through the previous story lines. Also Bailey's feelings of past abuse have some unaddressed areas that start to surface adding more conflict.
Wesley and Nyla
Wesley becomes known as the “hall monitor” for the department in response to issues. The use of recordings also creates conflict when it becomes apparent that some things he learns can have personal connections to people within his team. Nyla’s personal issues along with relationship will see an increase and push her character to its limits in this season.
Exploring the Themes
The series intends to explore a variety of themes that were laid in previous season from police corruption to intense relationship growth. New additions in the story like new characters or previous characters motivations all come into play when focusing on morality, power and identity during times of high stake situations.
Core Values
The show also shows real aspects of police interactions and a look into various different policing perspectives. The differences between an experience in Texas and California becomes a topic as well for exploring differences in approach.
New Challenges and Pacing
There is focus on an elevated sense of pace with greater emphasis on action and big set pieces and unique moments. They all help shape this season while building an environment of intensity, but the tone balances it with more humor than the previous season while still keeping some edge of darkness.
Loss and Future Direction
With Tru Valentino's departure there is a missing character with a potential explanation later for their exit , however there has been no solid conclusion of the departure in current content. They do state that the departure came from a creative standpoint. However that decision opened up two more roles with varying aspects as an attempt to replace what was lost.
Key Takeaways
- Season 7 of “The Rookie” premieres on January 7th with new changes and returning elements that all come into focus for new episodes.
- The team face familiar foes who had previously escaped their capture leading to higher stakes for the overall department.
- New rookie officers begin in the Los Angeles police department with the assistance of veteran trainers and each new story adds to the season's value.
- Past relationships of main characters create challenges with some that will need repairing through various emotional points.
- "The Rookie" keeps a balance of action drama and some light-hearted moments, exploring complex emotions as the stories go along.