The Rookie Season 7, Episode 1 Review: I'm Disappointed By How The ABC Series Handled Aaron's Underwhelming Exit

Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from The Rookie season 7, episode 1, “The Shot.”

Expectations are rather low heading into The Rookie season 7 following a disappointing sixth season, but the premiere does an okay job of improving upon the previous finale (while still making a handful of mistakes). ABC’s police procedural, created by Alexi Hawley, picks up a few weeks after the events of the convoluted and lacking The Rookie season 6 finale. As some might recall, the episode ended with Oscar Hutchinson and Jason Wyler escaping prison, assumingly wanting to seek vengeance on those who wronged them, like John Nolan and Bailey Nune.

While The Rookie‘s season 7 premiere begins with the team searching for Jason, the rest of the episode is dedicated to other criminals whose stories end before the hour is up. Elsewhere in the episode, Wade Grey (who was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant between seasons) elevated Lucy Chen from Police Officer II to Police Officer III so that she could train one of the two new rookies. Consequently, Nolan, Lucy, and Tim Bradford serve as season 7’s training officers. Unfortunately, nothing else significant happens during “The Shot.”

The Rookie Season 7 Premiere Brushes Past Its Season 6 Cliffhangers

Jason, Oscar, & Monica’s Stories Make Little To No Progress

Even though The Rookie season 6 ended with three dangerous criminals on the loose, none of them are in the season 7 premiere. The episode opens with the team raiding a house where they believe Jason to be, but it’s a bust. Afterward, all discussions surrounding Jason and Oscar’s whereabouts cease to exist. Even Monica is missing, although Angela Lopez mentions she invaded Interpol in Bolivia sometime in the past few weeks.

It’s disappointing the major cliffhangers from the season 6 finale are largely ignored. Without Jason, Oscar, or Monica, the premiere doesn’t feel much like a premiere. The story involving the stolen battlefield nuke is intriguing, full of high stakes and action, and allows Felix Solis to cameo as his The Rookie: Feds character. However, it would be much better suited for an episode later in the season.

Nevertheless, it makes sense why Jason doesn’t appear in “The Shot,” seeing as Bailey is deployed with the National Guard, a story that came about to account for Jenna Dewan’s maternity leave. When Dewan returns as Bailey in The Rookie season 7, Jason likely will as well. In the meantime, the writers could focus more on Oscar and Monica’s stories and bring them to a satisfying conclusion (or introduce a new season-long Big Bad).

Season 7 Is Wisely Handling Tim & Lucy’s Story With Care

Chenford Returns To Its Slow-Burn Roots

One of the highlights of the season 7 premiere is Tim and Lucy. Their scenes are handled perfectly, with them making obvious improvements on the negative tension between them following their breakup in The Rookie season 6, episode 6, but still not jumping headfirst back into a relationship. The writers must not rush to get Tim and Lucy back together, and the premiere proves they’re taking their time. Of course, Tim and Lucy will reunite one day. It just wouldn’t be believable if the couple did so without putting in the work to make themselves ready for a relationship again.

Lucy becomes a training officer. As a result, she and Tim are assigned new rookies and they make a bet to see which one can train the better cop. The light camaraderie, competition, and the lack of overly fraught angst between Tim and Lucy is fun and implies there is still hope for them without being too obvious. The two Rookie characters’ lingering looks also add to their exciting tension. Ultimately, Tim and Lucy are at their best when they are in a slow-burn phase of their relationship, and the writers are wisely returning to that in season 7.

Aaron’s Exit Is Mismanaged (But The New Rookies’ Introductions Aren’t)

Tru Valentino’s Departure Deserves Better Than A Flimsy Excuse

The most frustrating aspect is how Aaron Thorsen’s exit is addressed in an offhand comment. Celina Juarez reveals that Aaron transferred to the North Hollywood station because of what happened between him and Dr. Blair London in season 6. After that, Aaron isn’t mentioned again. For being a main character for three seasons, the way The Rookie season 7 handles Aaron’s exit is a disservice to him and Tru Valentino, the actor who played him.

On the other hand, the episode does a great job of introducing two new characters — Miles Penn and Seth Ridley. Miles (Tim’s rookie) worked as a cop for two years in a small Texas town before moving to Los Angeles because he believed he was destined for something greater. Meanwhile, Seth (Lucy’s rookie) is brand new and quite eager to help people. The two are complete opposites, and based on the season 7 premiere, it will be intriguing to see how they grow as the episodes continue.

New episodes of The Rookie season 7 will air weekly at 10pm ET every Tuesday on ABC.

Your changes have been saved

My List

My Favorite TV Shows
My Watchlist

Pros

• The Rookie isn’t rushing back into Tim and Lucy’s relationship
• Miles & Seth’s introductions are intriguing and well done
• The action is back and better than ever

Cons

• Prominent villains from season 6 are sidelined for a one-off story
• Aaron’s exit is managed horribly
• Ignored characters in season 6 (Lopez and Harper) continue to be ignored