One of the reasons The Rookie remains a fan favorite is its ability to craft compelling character arcs. New characters aren’t just fillers; they come with depth, backstories, and emotional stakes. Few embody this better than Officer Celina Juarez, a rookie who went from an intuitive but doubted trainee to a promising officer.
Celina Juarez entered the show as a recurring character back in season 5, episode 3. As a trainee officer, she was assigned to Officer Nolan’s supervision. As a rookie, Celina always stood out in terms of her ideology and her ways of dealing with situations. Usually, cops are shown as rigid fact-followers but in her case, she remained in tune with her spiritual beliefs. In the episodes that followed, she was able to solve cases using her dreams and her feelings. This was what made the fans both intrigued and curious about her credibility in the show.
There were numerous times when Officer Nolan would disregard her theories, but Celina was shown stubborn in her beliefs. As the story unfolded, there were a few reasons for Celina’s connection with her subconscious self. First, she came from a Hispanic family with deep ties to the spiritual realm. Second, when she was nine years old, her sister was kidnapped which was a defining event that motivated her to become a cop. Luckily, the kidnapping of Blanca was solved in episode 19 of season 5, “A Hole in the World”, and it was revealed that the cop whom Celina looked up to as a child was the culprit.
The true metamorphosis of Celina in The Rookie
Finding Blanca’s kidnapper was the turning point for Celina as a cop. She understood that relying on intuition alone was not enough to solve cases. Her being close to the kidnapper and not knowing about him being the enemy she sought, made her realize that facts were also important. Though gut feelings might let her follow a trial, facts are what truly matter. She started doubting herself but under the mentorship of Officer Nolan, Celina rose towards becoming the cop we now see on our screens.
This reveal of truth allowed the character to grow. From a recurring character, Celina has become the main lead in The Rookie since season 6. Her unconventional methods and unique approach to police work changed to trusting protocols and balancing policing with a practical approach.
Taking on her first solo case
In episode 9, we see people recovering from the wildfire in LA. While Nolan was away, Celina was tasked with looking after Bailey, where she quickly noticed two suspicious men nearby. At first, they seemed someone who wanted to score drugs but later on, Bailey pointed out to Celina that the burn on one of the guy’s arms was more due to acid rather than fire. This kicked in Celina’s instincts and took on her first solo case.
This investigation was a test of her ability to balance both instinct and protocol. Rather than jumping to a conclusion, Celina meticulously analyzed the evidence and reviewed the facts presented to her. Using her wittiness and her training, she uncovered the truth that it was a robbery gone wrong. With the success of her first case, Celina received well-deserved praise from her mentor, Officer Nolan.
What’s next for Celina Juarez?
From a rookie with unorthodox methods to a capable officer, Celina Juarez has proven that instincts and protocols can work hand in hand. Celina is a strong female lead in The Rookie and the dedication of Lisseth Chavez who plays the role of Celina Juarez would undoubtedly create an everlasting place in the hearts of her fans.
As she continues to grow, fans can’t wait to see what’s next for her in The Rookie. Will she take on bigger cases? Will her instincts continue to guide her success? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain, Officer Juarez has arrived.
The Rookie airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC. Catch up the following day on Hulu.
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