The Rookie Season 7 Finale: Disappointing End to a Lackluster Season

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Warning: This article reveals details about the ending of The Rookie season 7, titled “The Good, the Bad, and the Oscar.” Proceed with caution if you haven’t watched it yet.

Once more, we find ourselves here – facing yet another underwhelming finale for The Rookie on ABC. Despite showing signs of improvement in the middle of season 7, the final episodes of this season have felt more like routine installments rather than a season-ending spectacle. Don’t get me wrong, there were some memorable moments, such as “The Good, the Bad, and the Oscar,” but overall, the last part of season 7 has left many viewers feeling disappointed.

In the eighteenth episode of Season 7, it’s revealed that Nolan has been following events related to Oscar Hutchinson since his escape in the final episode of Season 6 of “The Rookie.” This is unexpected as Nolan hasn’t spoken about Oscar at all during the early episodes of Season 7. However, Nolan manages to trace Oscar’s subsequent actions and secures Lieutenant Grey’s approval to work as a detective for a day with Harper, aiming to apprehend the criminal. They succeed, but Oscar manages to escape again. Towards the end of the Season 7 finale, it is Monica who reappears after striking a deal for her immunity.

The Rookie Season 7 Finale Doesn’t Feel Like A Finale

Season 7’s Last Episode Fails To Raise The Stakes

Although Monica’s unexpected appearance at the end of “The Good, the Bad, and the Oscar” didn’t suggest it was the final episode, the eighth episode of The Rookie season 7 certainly felt more like a finale. It managed to weave together multiple storylines such as the wildfire, capturing Liam Glasser, and the Sixth Street Devils in a coherent manner that kept viewers engaged. The ending of episode 8 even surpassed the cliffhanger presented in episode 18. In summary, the high-stakes tension typically present in a season finale seems to be absent from The Rookie season 7.

In contrast to maintaining a concentrated focus on Oscar and Monica’s developments, The Rookie season 7, episode 18 seems to divert attention towards unnecessary, standalone narratives (often referred to as “side cases” or “cases of the week”). It’s questionable why these stories are incorporated into this particular hour, as it involves a woman pretending to be someone else to her husband and the Eastern Front pursuing Miles. Both stories are resolved by the end of the finale, suggesting they could have been featured in any regular episode. There’s speculation that the Eastern Front may resurface, but the finale fails to invest enough time in this storyline for it to leave a lasting impact, making it likely to be overlooked once season 8 begins.

In terms of the characters Oscar and Monica, The Rookie seems to overlook the development of its villains effectively. The sudden appearance of Oscar, reminiscent of Nolan’s research, comes across as unexpected and out of context since he hasn’t been mentioned since the start of season 7. This return feels more like a plot convenience than something organic to the storyline. Now, with Oscar having escaped once more, it seems that the show is postponing providing his character arc the conclusion it requires, so it can progress towards larger and more significant events. It’s likely that we won’t see him again until The Rookie season 8 finale.

In contrast to the build-up many viewers expected, Monica’s appearance in episode 18 feels underwhelming. Throughout most of season 7, she was barely present on The Rookie, and her minimal role in the finale doesn’t generate much anticipation. If the show had provided more hints about Monica’s future during season 7, it might have sparked more enthusiasm. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, leaving viewers uncertain about how Monica’s return will impact the characters or the storyline for season 8.

“The Good, The Bad, & The Oscar” Doesn’t Make Good On Its Promises Regarding Tim & Lucy’s Reunion

Tim & Lucy’s “Talk” Is One-Sided

In the final episode of The Rookie‘s seventh season, fans were eagerly anticipating Tim and Lucy’s long-awaited reunion. Instead of a heartfelt conversation that would clarify their relationship status, the episode concluded without a definitive resolution for Chenford. Although Tim did initiate the crucial discussion towards the end, Lucy dozed off and missed his words, leaving it uncertain whether they have truly reignited their romance.

It seems quite probable that Tim and Lucy will reunite in the eighth season of “The Rookie”. However, I can’t help but express my disappointment with how their story has been handled in season 7. The series hasn’t adequately demonstrated their new dynamic or shown evidence of Tim’s transformation into the man Lucy deserves. Instead of telling us about their progression, “The Rookie” should show it. Now, it remains uncertain where Tim and Lucy currently stand, and how their relationship might differ if they do reunite in future episodes.

How The Rookie Season 8 Can Learn From Season 7’s Mistakes

The Show Must Do A Better Job Of Developing Its Villains

To ensure that “The Rookie” season 8 steers back on course, it might be beneficial for them to delve deeper into Monica’s storyline and establish her as the main antagonist. With the season 7 finale hinting at her comeback, I anticipate a significant role for Monica in season 8.

The program needs to increase the tension level as the recent episodes have been uneventful and unmemorable. This is because nothing seemed significant enough to affect “The Rookie” series or its characters. Regarding Chenford, it would be best for the writers to abandon their past breakup storyline and instead initiate a fresh, well-developed plotline in “The Rookie” season 8.

The Rookie returns with season 8 during the 2025–2026 network TV season.

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2025-05-14 08:06