Whereas The Rookie season 7 had some highs, its lows outnumbered them, however the excellent news is that each one hope is not misplaced in the case of police procedurals. Through the early seasons of The Rookie, the sequence was unbelievable. There is a cause why it is nonetheless on the air seven years later, in spite of everything. However someplace alongside the way in which, it misplaced its magic.
Maybe The Rookie will flip issues round in season 8 and recapture what made it so good within the first place. Or it might proceed in its downward spiral. We cannot know till season 8 premieres. Till then, followers might rewatch a few of The Rookie‘s best episodes. Or they will take a look at ABC’s new present that may restore their religion in police procedurals.
The Rookie Season 7 Was A Flop
Season 7 Could not Redeem The Police Procedural Collection
Season 7 had potential at first. Sure, the way in which that The Rookie wrote out Aaron Thorsen was disappointing, however a few of the circumstances of the week have been fairly entertaining, and the ABC TV present launched a few intriguing villains. The newbies — Miles Penn and Seth Ridley — have been even fascinating. Nevertheless, issues shortly went downhill after the midseason finale.
The Rookie season 7, episode 8, “Wildfire,” was undoubtedly one of many crime drama’s greatest episodes. It contained excessive stakes, thrilling storylines that each one appeared to intersect, and a stunning ending that left viewers eager to see what occurred subsequent. After “Wildfire,” although, The Rookie season 7 skilled a irritating decline that even the midseason finale could not redeem.
ABC renewed The Rookie for an eighth season, which is being held for midseason and can comprise 18 episodes. It’s anticipated to air weekly with little to no interruptions, barring any presidential addresses or different unavoidable hindrances.
The next episodes did not ship memorable plotlines and made huge errors regarding a handful of characters and their arcs. For instance, The Rookie season 7 mishandled Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen’s romantic reunion. They have been the very definition of “cold and warm.” Tim and Lucy would hook up after which return to regular like nothing occurred.
The Rookie season 7 ended with out Tim and Lucy getting again collectively. We did not even get to see them have an actual dialogue about their breakup and their relationship standing. So, that was disappointing, as was Monica’s return. Her villain arc has been drawn out for means too lengthy, and her look within the finale wasn’t shocking (regardless that it was meant to be).
Excessive Potential Is The Rookie’s Good Alternative
ABC’s New Present Was A Hit Throughout Its 1st Season
Total, The Rookie season 7 was a disappointment. Then again, ABC’s police procedural sequence Excessive Potential season 1 was a smash hit, and for good cause. The community’s new present obtained reward from critics and audiences alike, which is why it scored an early season 2 renewal and why it serves as the right remedy for The Rookie blues.
Excessive Potential surpasses The Rookie season 7 in some ways. For starters, it is a contemporary and thrilling tackle the police procedural style, whereas nonetheless embracing all of its basic qualities. It has Kaitlin Olson, who was born to be a number one girl. Plus, High Potential season 1’s cases have been fascinating, and it has a well-executed thriller that hangs over all the sequence.
Sadly, the Emmys snubbed High Potential and Olson, regardless that they certainly deserved a minimum of a nomination. Excessive Potential broke information and was one of many most-watched community TV exhibits of the 2024-2025 season, in spite of everything. Nonetheless, the ABC police procedural TV sequence was an awesome success throughout its first season, and it might train The Rookie a factor or two.
What The Rookie Can Be taught From Excessive Potential
The Rookie Can Redeem Itself In Season 8
By seeing how a lot of a triumph Excessive Potential was throughout its first season, perhaps The Rookie can take what labored within the newer sequence and apply it to season 8. In fact, not all the pieces that occurred in High Potential season 1’s 13 episodes can apply to The Rookie. Nevertheless, the Kaitlin Olson-led present incorporates varied qualities that the older sequence can replicate.
For starters, Excessive Potential masterfully developed its overarching thriller (Morgan’s ex-husband’s disappearance greater than a decade prior) over the course of its first season. It was teased within the pilot, then slowly however certainly gained new floor because the season went on. By the point the Excessive Potential season 1 finale got here round, the viewers was dying to study extra (they usually did).
The ABC crime drama ended on a few suspenseful cliffhangers in consequence. In the meantime, The Rookie season 7 finale ended with a whimper, not a bang. Monica’s predictable entrance did little or no to go away viewers wanting extra. So, The Rookie could be clever to check not solely Excessive Potential‘s huge thriller, but in addition its “circumstances of the week.”
Excessive Potential additionally had nice character progress and relationship growth, and season 1 solely contained 13 episodes. From Morgan and Karadec’s dynamic to Morgan’s relationship together with her youngsters, all the pieces was attractive to look at. On the finish of the day, characters and their tales are an important components of TV exhibits, and The Rookie should hold that in thoughts for season 8.
Excessive Potential season 2 premieres on Tuesday, September 16, at 10 pm ET on ABC. In the meantime, The Rookie season 8 will not premiere till early 2026.
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