Why didn't The Rookie do justice to Seth in its latest episode?

The Rookie (Image via Youtube/@TV Promos)
The Rookie (Image via Youtube/@TV Promos)

The Rookie is a television series about John Nolan, a 45-year-old man who becomes a police officer in Los Angeles and as per the show's storyline, he is the oldest rookie in the Los Angeles Police Department. The show chronicles his adventure as he learns to be a cop, confronts danger, and collaborates with other policemen.

It stars Nathan Fillion and is based on an actual person's tale. Nolan eventually becomes a training officer and marries Bailey, a fireman. The program combines action, crime, and drama. It began in 2018 and is currently active. There are currently seven seasons, with an eighth season announced. It airs on ABC.

Seth saves Nolan during a firefight in Season 7, Episode 16, of The Rookie, but loses his leg in the process. He also tells Tamara about his prior deceptions, including inventing a cancer case. The episode does not address the consequences of her breakup with him.


More about Seth’s storyline in The Rookie

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Although Seth Ridley's narrative changes dramatically in "The Return," Episode 16 of The Rookie Season 7 does not give his character justice. Seth is injured and loses a leg during a firefight after risking his life to save Nolan and although this should have been specifically a watershed point in Seth's life, it lacked the emotional depth required to create an indelible impression.

Throughout the season, Seth's battle with compulsive lying has been a major subject, and in this episode, he finally tells Tamara the truth about his history. He admits to lying about having cancer, among other things.

However, Tamara ends their relationship as a result of this incident rather than growing personally. Although it seems hurried and doesn't have the emotional impact that viewers would have anticipated, this specific storyline from The Rookie might have been a potent moment of atonement.

Seth's injury is a significant event, but the program does not adequately examine the implications for his future. Losing his limb is a life-changing tragedy, but the program does not explore how it will affect his work as a police officer. While Nolan tells him that his career does not have to stop, there is little follow-up on how Seth would go after such a serious injury. This squandered chance makes his career as a law enforcement officer questionable.

Ultimately, Seth’s actions in the episode are considered as heroic but the show doesn’t take the time to properly develop his character’s emotional journey and his story feels incomplete, and the potential for redemption is not fully explored. The episode misses a chance to give Seth the depth and resolution his character deserves.

Edited by Sezal Srivastava