The Rookie Season 7 has recently come to an end, and it stands out as one of the most inconsistent entries in the series’ history. Although the season consists of 18 episodes, many of its most significant story arcs unfolded in a hurried manner. Furthermore, several major climaxes concluded in a disappointing fashion, which is particularly evident in the storyline involving Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee). The season finale showcased the return of the devious former attorney-turned-criminal mastermind, Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan), who managed to return to Los Angeles and obtain diplomatic immunity after illegally acquiring sensitive government intelligence. While it’s a relief that The Rookie has set up a critical narrative for Monica in the anticipated Season 8, it must be noted that the Jason Wyler arc required considerably more screen time to deliver a satisfying conclusion.

Jason Wyler’s Short-Lived and Awkward Return in Season 6

In truth, Jason Wyler never appeared to be a character who warranted a return to The Rookie. He was first introduced in Season 4, where he was featured in a three-episode arc as the criminal, toxic, and abusive ex-husband of Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan), who is also the girlfriend of John Nolan (Nathan Fillion). Jason posed a significant challenge to the relationship between John and Bailey, yet, their bond ultimately grew stronger. Although Wyler was portrayed as an engaging recurring antagonist, his storyline was effectively concluded during his last appearance in the fourth season episode titled “End Game.” At that point, he was exposed for his crimes, arrested, and incarcerated. Thus, there was no compelling reason to resurrect Jason after removing him from the narrative.

The question remains: why was Jason reintroduced? It always seemed odd that Jason made his reappearance as a fellow inmate alongside Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) in the Season 6 finale, “Escape Plan.” This marked Jason’s first appearance in years, and there was no prior scene establishing that he and Oscar were cellmates at the same correctional facility. In fact, in Jason’s last appearance, another recurring villain, Elijah Stone (Brandon McLaren), was shown in a neighboring cell to Hutchinson in a previous Season 5 episode, “The Enemy Within.” An epilogue scene revealed Elijah being placed in a cell next to Hutchinson, where he asks Hutchinson for any intriguing “revenge stories” to share. This was a clear narrative foreshadowing. However, when viewers next see Hutchinson in prison during Season 6, the storyline awkwardly shifts from Elijah Stone to Jason Wyler, despite the evident setup for an Elijah and Oscar alliance in Season 5.

It could be that unforeseen circumstances, such as McLaren’s availability or a creative decision in the writers’ room, led to this narrative choice. Regardless of the reason, the storyline felt like a confusing switch between Elijah and Jason, as the focus abruptly returned to Jason, resulting in a clumsy reintroduction of the character. Season 6 concluded with Jason escaping from prison, leaving Bailey and Nolan to learn of the situation via a phone call. Unfortunately, the rushed nature of Season 6’s conclusion would continue to plague Season 7, where the issues only intensified.

The Disappointing Conclusion of the Jason Wyler Storyline

Season 7 of The Rookie kicks off with Jason Wyler as a wanted fugitive, with John Nolan frantically attempting to track him down, fearing he may target Bailey upon his return to Los Angeles. Jason ultimately reappears for a fleeting moment in Season 7, Episode 5, titled “Till Death.” He is swiftly eliminated by the hitman Malvado (Jimmy Gonzalez) after kidnapping Bailey. Following the buildup across several episodes, Jason meets his end at the hands of a new character.

Essentially, the Jason Wyler storyline unfolded as if the writers were uncertain of how to effectively utilize the character, and they did not adequately plan for his return in Season 6. If the writers genuinely intended to bring Jason back, they should have portrayed him as a more formidable adversary, granting him more screen time for his final appearance. Given that Jason was once more attempting to victimize Bailey, the conclusion of this arc diminished her agency. The return of Jason could have provided a powerful opportunity for Bailey to confront him and assert her refusal to allow him to disrupt her life. Instead, the subplot ended up depicting Bailey as complicit in conspiracy and murder, as she texted Jason’s location to Malvado. The repercussions of Bailey’s actions involving Malvado illustrate another narrative that was poorly executed in Season 7.

Season 7 would have greatly benefited from more focus on Jason evading law enforcement and strategizing his revenge rather than predominantly showcasing Monica’s return, which primarily served as a setup for Season 8. More screen time would have effectively established Jason as a more credible and serious threat, akin to characters like Elijah Stone. Additionally, it would have heightened the stakes for John as he desperately sought Jason, illustrating how Jason continually eludes him, engaging in a twisted psychological game by instilling fear in John and Bailey’s lives. His brief return and lackluster demise in Season 7 failed to create any meaningful impact or suspense, and it did not provide a more significant sense of closure for John and Bailey.

‘The Rookie’ Must Avoid Another Season Like Season 7

In summary, The Rookie Season 7 unfolded as a series of misleading moments. Numerous plot developments, including the lackluster conclusion of the Chenford romance, the Malvado storyline, Jason Wyler’s return, and Oscar Hutchinson’s reappearance, culminated in disappointment. The Rookie cannot afford another mediocre climax to a major narrative in Season 8. The execution of Monica’s return to Los Angeles was poorly handled, as most of her manipulations occurred off-screen. However, it is encouraging that The Rookie has revisited her storyline, particularly as it sets up intrigue for viewers in Season 8 to witness her next moves. If Monica Stevens is to be the central antagonist in Season 8, her storyline must receive significantly more screen time than what Jason Wyler experienced in Season 7.

All episodes of The Rookie are currently available for streaming on Hulu in the United States.