The Real Reason The Rookie Season 7 CANNOT Break Up Nolan & Bailey Is More Simple Than You Think
Nolan and Bailey appeared to reconcile their differences in The Rookie season 7, episode 7, “The Mickey,” and not just for the reasons fans might think. Throughout the episodes so far, Bailey’s psychotic ex-husband, Jason, has hung over proceedings like a dark cloud. After he escaped prison, Jason made it his mission to kill Bailey. Unfortunately for him, when he finally made good on that threat, he was executed by a hitman that Bailey had guided. Nonetheless, the dark cloud remained in The Rookie season 7, episode 7, “The Mickey,” as Bailey and Nolan had a frank discussion about recent events.
That conversation stemmed from Nolan finding the burner phone Bailey used to contact Malvado at the end of The Rookie season 7, episode 5, “Til Death.” The tension between them then simmered and eventually exploded at the end of The Rookie season 7, episode 6, “The Gala.” Neither seemed to be willing to see the other’s side, with Nolan steadfast on the side of the law he serves while Bailey was still in a compromised emotional state. Despite that, things seemed to turn a corner at the end of The Rookie season 7, episode 7.
The Rookie Season 7, Episode 7 Solves Bailey & Nolan’s Issue Fairly Quickly
For many, it was no doubt a turn that came abruptly, but it was firmly in keeping with the storyline in The Rookie season 7. Despite several episodes building up to the encounter, Jason came and went in less than one. No sooner was he back on the scene than he was dead. Equally, Nolan spent the majority of The Rookie season 7, episode 7, “The Mickey,” being reminded that things aren’t always black and white in his line of work. Career criminals like The Hammer can do the right thing, while even genuinely good people can make complex emotional mistakes.
Bailey also went through her own life lesson during the episode, when she realized that she could let Nolan into her time as a victim of Jason’s without it lessening how strong of a person she’s become since. As such, while it may seem abrupt, it was thematically building throughout episode 7, and it made sense for Nolan and Bailey to be rewarded with reconciliation. Besides, it was obvious that Nolan was never going to turn Bailey in to the rest of The Rookie’s cast of characters. Therefore, Nolan learning to live with Bailey’s mistake was the only path forward.
Bailey & Nolan Need To Be Together Because The Rookie Season 7 Is Already Dealing With Lucy & Tim
On top of everything else, there was also the Chenford of it all. Following their recent tryst in The Rookie episode 6, the tension was obviously playing on both their minds, in different ways. While Lucy distracted herself with a new undercover operation involving Tamara and Seth, Tim’s therapy session over the mistake was a highlight in episode 7. Both instances emphasized that, unlike Bailey and Nolan, the road back to each other was going to be a long and storied one. Were Bailey and Nolan to have the same “will they/won’t they” energy, The Rookie would feel too repetitive.
As an emotionally closed-off person, Tim has a lot of fundamental work he has to do on himself. That’s why seeing him take part in group therapy, and learning the importance of preserving her agency regarding Tim and Lucy’s annoying but necessary hook-up, was so well received. Conversely, Nolan is a more fully-formed and emotionally mature character. As such, it was never going to be long before he empathized with Bailey and her plight in the same way he had many other victims (and some criminals) in the past. To do anything else would have felt forced in the long run.
The Rookie Can Still Subject Nolan & Bailey To Relationship Issues
Though they have reconciled and Nolan has started to understand why Bailey made the mistake that she made, that doesn’t mean things have to be smooth sailing. After all, television shows are built around conflict, and it may still be a little while before Nolan can fully live with what he learned. Even if he understands the reasons why and that her one-time message led to a wild goose chase rather than Jason’s actual death. They can be rocky – from this or from other situations – without breaking up in The Rookie season 7 or beyond.
As things stand on The Rookie, however, it wouldn’t be surprising if the show focused on relationship levity rather than drama.
For example, it wasn’t too long ago that Nolan and Bailey considered having children or adopting. That in itself could be a source of drama, especially when they still try to get back on stable footing. That would be especially true if Nolan or Bailey tried to make up for the time they lost before the other is ready. The possibilities are endless, and that’s without even accounting for the stresses of both their jobs. As things stand on The Rookie, however, it wouldn’t be surprising if the show focused on relationship levity rather than drama for the next few episodes.
