The Rookie Fails Its Main Character Miserably by Making This Mistake

Summary

• John Nolan has had a lot of traumatic experiences on the show.
• The Rookie doesn't really address the mental health side of the story.
• John must feel guilty about several tragedies that have happened before his eyes.

For over six years, ABC's hit crime drama The Rookie has entertained us with many exciting, sometimes breathtaking twists and turns in the story of John Nolan, portrayed by Nathan Fillion. The oldest rookie in the LAPD, the forty-five-year-old character decides to pursue a career in law enforcement after helping the police during a bank robbery in his hometown in Pennsylvania.

Initially looked down upon by other officers, John's bravery and impressive investigative skills have earned him the respect of his colleagues over the years, and he has come a long way from rookie to almost detective, to being officially reprimanded, to becoming a training officer for other rookies. Needless to say, the character has been through a lot during the six seasons of the show, and it's been exciting to follow his story. But there's one thing that ultimately ruins it.

Nolan Isn't a Man of Steel

The Rookie has many points. It shows that it's never too late to start over and follow your dream. It shows that age is not a barrier to living your life to the fullest. It shows that everyone's journey is different and some people achieve the things they want later in life. And John Nolan is the embodiment of all those things.

He dropped out of college when his ex-wife got pregnant. Many years later, they divorced and he, a professional builder and contractor, realized that he wanted to do more with his boring life and help people. So he became a cop and patiently worked his way to respect and to become a detective, which unfortunately he didn't, despite many difficulties and tragedies along the way. And yet we never see how hard it must have been for him, especially emotionally.

The Bearer of Bad Luck

In his police department, John Nolan is known for his bad luck. He has been kidnapped or taken hostage more than any other character on the show. During these kidnappings and in several other instances, he has been on the verge of death. For example, he was held at gunpoint by Kyle Montgomery, the vengeful brother of a dangerous criminal whom John had to kill to save innocent people.

Then he witnessed the murder of several of his friends and fellow officers, including Chris Rios, Erin Cole, and his mentor Captain Zoe Andersen. His girlfriend Bailey was almost killed because of him. But The Rookie doesn't really address the effects of these tragedies on Nolan's mental well-being. And that is a mistake, because it would add nuance to his character and help the audience see him more clearly.

Hopefully, Season 7 will do a better job of exploring the psychology of John Nolan.