I’m awaiting this character’s return to The Rookie since Season 3 (& I hope it becomes a reality in Season 8)

The hit ABC series The Rookie, which currently wrapped up its 7th season, is no stranger to introducing short-lived characters who appear in a few episodes before leaving the storyline. Some of these characters are brought back in later episodes, as happened with Rachel Hall, Tim Bradford’s ex-girlfriend, who was introduced in season 2 and then reintroduced again in The Rookie Season 7.

While Rachel’s coming back was a nice touch, there is another character in The Rookie who also deserves to be brought back. Katie Barnes, the rookie recruit of Bradford who lasted very short, had made an impact in her limited screen time, and therefore, bringing her back can prove to be good for the ongoing storyline.

Katie was introduced in The Rookie Season 3 Episode 11, titled New Blood, and while she exited quickly, her character not only made her presence permanent on the show but also brought out a different side of Bradford, which the viewers had never seen before.

Katie Barnes appeared in a single episode of The Rookie

New Blood was the only episode that featured Katie Barns. With a background in the US Army, Katie was shown to be the newest recruit at the Los Angeles Police Department. Given her military background, her skills were impeccable, and it was surprising to see Bradford being so impressed with a new circuit as he was with Katie.

However, Katie dropped out only after two shifts because she realized that she was operating with the combat mindset that she had been taught in the military. The same background that helped her to impress Bradford proved to be a hindrance regarding making her position permanent in the team.

Her mind being in a constant state of survival made her unfit for the police field work, and she felt that she would become more of a liability than a help to the team, and thus decided to quit. Here also, Bradford showed a level of understanding and awareness, which is not typical of his character, as he realized Katie’s point.

Bradford did think that Katie would get used to the police setting after a while, but Katie made him understand that her transition from the military to police field work is not something that she thinks will happen. Her self-awareness is brilliant, and the kind of clarity that she shows about herself impresses Bradford as well, since he decides that Katie should drop off.

Given how the show has brought back previously appeared characters in a number of seasons, Katie Barnes now deserves the same treatment. It should be noted here that when she left in season 3, Bradford had told her that he would check up on her and also mentioned that her Peace Officer Standards and Training certificate (POST) would be valid for three years.

This clearly leaves a space for the character to return in the next season. If The Rookie indeed brings back Katie Barnes in season 8, it would be interesting to see how her character has changed over the years and in what capacity she can join the team.

The Rookie can be streamed on Hulu.

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