Los Angeles’ first responders aren't just dealing with city turmoil but also personal issues that affect them on and off the clock. All those storylines lead to confusion about what's happening with our favorite characters on The Rookie. Season 8 hasn't slowed down from undercover jobs to explosions and on-duty stabbings. Nolan and the others are always on edge.
With the next episode right around the corner, here's a rundown of what's happening to our favorite characters on The Rookie in season 8 as of episode 11. The Rookie season 8 episode 12 airs Monday, March 23, on ABC at 10 pm ET/PT. Catch up on all the drama on Disney+ and Hulu.
Detective Harper eats her words
Detective Harper (Mekia Cox) and Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil) went undercover as part of an international operation run by Grey (Richard T. Jones) and Garza (Felix Solis). At that point, I thought that storyline was the most dramatic we’d see from Harper and Chen; I was wrong. The Liam Glasser case came back to bite Harper in the butt, as her threat towards him to take him down got her sent back into uniform and training, Miles.
Not to mention, Miles (Deric Augustine) ended up in trouble for doing an unauthorized stakeout with Seth (Patrick Keleher). He’s back in long sleeves for six more months of training by his new TO, Harper. Just when we thought Harper would win her case against Glasser, everything got twisted, and Glasser walked free at the end of season 8 episode 11. When Glasser walked despite Harper, Angela (Alyssa Diaz), and Wesley being sure he committed the crimes, Wesley (Shawn Ashmore) wasn't thrilled at all. Not only was he losing his case, but he might lose the race for District Attorney of Los Angeles.
Sergeant I Lucy Chen experiences on-duty trauma
As if Lucy Chen hasn’t been through enough trauma, she lands in the middle of a chaotic case that ends terribly in episode 10. She fights for her life against two people trying to kill her. The intense moment ends with her stabbing the knife aimed at her into the assailant. Bruised and shaken, Bradford (Eric Winter) walks her from the scene.
At the beginning of episode 11, we learn that some time has passed since the attack, and she’s finally returning to work. Although her outer wounds are healed, her heart hurts for Martin’s sister, who comes to her about what happened. I love how Lucy decided to be a good human despite the cop side needing to stay quiet when she sat down with Martin’s sister and told her the truth.
Through all of this, Bradford realizes how important Lucy is to him when he tells her he’s glad she’s alive after her attack. When he wakes her up at the beginning of episode 11, their love radiates off them. I couldn’t be happier with how their relationship has progressed. Not only is Bradford a better listener, but he also turns soft when it comes to Lucy. Despite all the terrible things happening, their relationship has survived meeting Bradford’s mom, losing Valentine’s Day gifts, and an attack in the line of duty.
Other than Celina (Lisseth Chavez) getting to see her man again at a work party, not much has happened for her this season. She’s an excellent supportive role for both Lucy and Miles through their many ups and downs in their personal and work lives. Honestly, I'm thankful she isn't going through a lot because her character only gets better, whether she's being an awesome cop or a supportive friend and roommate. Not to mention, when the bomb went off in Mid-Wilshire Station, Celina and Lucy saved almost everyone despite being injured from being very close to the explosion.
Lt. Grey and Officer Nolan bond over marriage troubles
Grey accepts Garza's offer to be on the FBI-LAPD Joint Task Force as a senior liaison in season 8. After years of being the Watch Commander at the Mid-Wilshire Division, he steps down and hands over his role to Tim Bradford. Meanwhile, Luna's job causes friction between her and Grey on cases and in their marriage. They can't seem to see eye to eye. As time goes on, Grey becomes suspicious of how close Luna (Angel Parker) has become to her male coworker. When he takes her car in for maintenance, he discovers sunglasses in the middle console, which he later finds out are the male coworker's.
After confiding in Nolan for advice, Grey confronts Luna and is heartbroken by her emotional honesty about developing feelings for her coworker. She's surprised to learn that Grey never once looked at another woman in all their time together because no one was better than her. As of episode 11, Grey and Luna still haven't found a way to resolve their issues.
Bailey's job sends her to work at the Pentagon, causing tension between her and Nolan (Nathan Fillion). At first, Nolan will do anything to support Bailey's new adventure, until he starts looking into job opportunities. Unfortunately for him, he'd have to start at the bottom again. After some lengthy talks and thinking time, he tells Bailey (Jenna Dewan) he can't move to DC. After much back and forth about if they can survive long distance, she finally decides to move to DC to work at the Pentagon.
Although he misses her and is excited for her return home, they didn't expect work to follow her home. In the episode 12 promo, The Rookie revealed that Bailey's door-knocking mission at the Pentagon has turned into a full-on stakeout by Nolan and the other Mid-Wilshire cops. So happy Bailey will be back in LA, but nervous that the case will blow up in their faces.
The Rookie airs weekly on Mondays at 10/9c, with episodes streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.