Seth is a compulsive liar, but I still believe he deserves another opportunity to return in The Rookie

Patrick Keleher aka Seth in The Rookie ( Image via Instagram / @patrickkeleher )
Patrick Keleher, or Seth, in 'The Rookie' (Image via Instagram/patrickkeleher)

Seth is not your average character on The Rookie. When he initially appeared in Season 5, I was immediately drawn to how utterly random and, quite honestly, infuriating he was. He is a liar, the type of person you wouldn't trust to tell you what day it is today. And yet, despite all that, I couldn't help but be drawn to him.

His zany energy brought a bit of tension to the show, and although he annoyed me enough to make me roll my eyes, I couldn't help but feel there was something more to him. I know Seth has grave issues, particularly with lying, but I somehow feel that he deserves a second chance to return.

Sure, he was a mess, but he was also an unpredictable wild card, and I really do believe there is a lot more to his story that hasn't been revealed yet. Would The Rookie be better off by bringing back Seth? I think it would, and here's why.


Seth’s role in The Rookie wasn’t just a filler in The Rookie

Even though Seth wasn’t on screen for too long, he left an impression that wasn’t just about stirring up trouble. His appearance helped give more depth to Celina Juarez’s character. Remember when Seth claimed to be Celina’s late sister’s boyfriend?

That moment was wild and made me question everything. It also made Celina confront some unresolved sadness, which was simply staggering. Seth's deception wasn't just frustrating — it brought a depth of interest to her as a character and made her path more emotional and real.

That's not fluff. That's a vital part of the puzzle. His inclusion forced the other actors, particularly Celina, to act and react outside of their normal parameters. It caused some conflict, sure, but it was also a cause of some of the depth of the show. That was what made Seth's position so notable, even if he was a bit of a wild card.


There's still room for unfinished business in The Rookie

Here's the thing: Seth's storyline was left unresolved. He was not arrested, and we never quite determined whether he was lying about everything or if there was some validity to his crazy tale. To me, that feels like unresolved business. The Rookie tends to wrap up its storylines nicely, so leaving Seth's situation unresolved feels a little like they have left a door open.

I would really like to see them revisit that storyline, particularly considering the amount of potential there is within his character. It doesn't even need to be a full-scale return — perhaps just an appearance to tidy up loose ends. Either way, closure or to further explore his layered personality, getting him back could bring some heavy weight to the show's larger story.


Compulsive lying doesn't equal irrelevance

I understand — Seth is a liar. He is not a reliable guy, and his fabrications can be downright infuriating. But let me tell you: Compulsive liars are not irrelevant in a show like The Rookie. In fact, they are pretty much at the center of everything. Seth's habit of spouting these over-the-top fabrications caused plenty of tension both for the actors and the audience. His unpredictability was engaging, and if utilized appropriately, it can continue to be.

Rather than viewing Seth as a person who does not deserve a second chance, I believe he could really be an interesting character if done right. His deception walked the line between reality and fiction, and that is precisely why his character is so dynamic. He may not be reliable, but that is precisely why his return would create so much drama.


A return would fit with the show's tone

One of the things I believe makes Seth worthy of another chance is that his return would be exactly in line with The Rookie's tone. The show isn't about ideal people, it is about imperfect people trying to make a difference in an imperfect world. Seth, with all his flaws, is just that. Returning him wouldn't be a decision about letting him off the hook — it would be about recognizing that people, even the most imperfect, can still grow and change.

Seth doesn't necessarily need a redemptive arc. He doesn't even need to be a better person. But his return could create some really interesting conflicts for the main characters, especially Celina, and provide fans with more to consider when it comes to handling lies, trust, and emotional vulnerability.


Seth is a compulsive liar, and I understand why some people would want to see him vanish. But for me, his crazy energy added something special to The Rookie. He wasn't a troublemaker — he was a character who compelled others to deal with their own demons, and that is not something every show will find.

Whether he returns to provide closure or cause more drama, I really do think Seth deserves a second chance in The Rookie. Sometimes the most interesting characters are the messiest.

Also read: The Rookie Season 7 cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the ABC crime drama's latest chapter?

Edited by Vinayak Chakravorty