The Rookie has always stood out as a show with characters filled with morality and honing the belief in second chances. They have always focused on growth and redemption but what if someone doesn’t deserve this? What if a character is too stubborn to change and refuses to walk the path of righteousness?
That’s what happened in The Rookie season 7 that led to the exit of a lying rookie. Was it a well-deserved exit or would his departure set a stage for something even bigger? Let’s delve into this further in this article.
At the beginning of season 7, two new recruits joined the team. One of them was Seth Ridley played by Patrick Keleher. Seth was assigned to Officer Lucy Chen as his training officer. From day one, something was off with Seth. It felt as if he never really understood the terms integrity and honor. With each episode, Seth found new excuses to cover up his mistakes. Though he seemed like a brave young cop, he wasn’t someone the force could rely on.
In his debut episode, Seth threw up over a criminal who was overdosed in his car. In his defense, he told Lucy that his girlfriend overdosed in high school and that encounter made him recall those memories. Lucy sympathized with him until, in another episode, Seth told a different rookie that his lack of performance was due to his girlfriend dying in a car crash. Lucy overheard this and confronted Seth, where he explained that they were two different girls. The lies continued and Lucy was on to him.
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Seth’s exit from The Rookie
In episode 10, Lucy assigned Seth to guard the hospital room of one of the suspects in a crime that took place. There, Seth encountered his old oncologist and while talking, he revealed that his cancer was back. Lucy was puzzled as to why Seth didn’t consult the same doctor and upon confronting Seth, he gave her an excuse that his previous doctor wasn’t covered by the LAPD insurance plan.
Lucy already suspected Seth of lying so she consulted with Luna, who is a social worker and the wife of Sergeant Wade Grey. Luna told Lucy that LAPD looks after its officers and the insurance plan covers every doctor. The doctor that Seth mentioned already had ongoing cases, and he had a reputation for handling patients who needed to lie their way through. This revelation confirmed Lucy’s suspicions that Seth had been lying all along.
After consulting Tim Bradford, Lucy called Seth in front of Tim and Sergeant Grey and asked him to submit a blood test. He had two choices: submit the blood work or leave the LAPD. Seth lashed out, growing defensive over his actions. His arguments were dismissed, and Grey told him to turn over his gun and badge and asked Lucy and Tim to escort Seth to the station so that he could retrieve his belongings.
What’s next for Seth in The Rookie?
Now, here’s the question that has been churning in my mind. Is Seth’s exit temporary or will he be back? It looks like Seth has a grudge against LAPD and especially against Officer Lucy Chen. His exit might just be the beginning but this time, as an enemy of the cops.
We have seen how The Rookie keeps balancing the storyline by also introducing the opposition faced by LAPD. Seth’s firing may lead to either of these two things. His bitterness could push him toward dangerous retaliation against LAPD. But given his sly and manipulative nature, Seth is more likely to take LAPD to court, using his deception to turn the legal system against them. With his history of deception, he might manipulate the legal system to frame LAPD as the villain. However, there’s also a chance that his character arc ends here, as not all villains return.
So, what will happen next? We can only wonder and wait for the upcoming episodes. But in my fan-based views, I am quite glad that they finally revealed the manipulative side of Seth, and it was Lucy Chen who could unveil his true identity. Whether Seth’s departure is the end or just the start of something bigger, one thing is clear: his deceit left a lasting impact on The Rookie, and this may not be the last time we see him.
The Rookie airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC. Catch up the following day on Hulu.
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