Abhiroop Das
Created by Alexi Hawley, ABC’s ‘The Rookie’ follows John Nolan and Lucy Chen through the highs and lows of their LAPD journey. Starting out as complete rookies, they hone their skills and become police veterans, leading a new generation forward. A defining part of Nolan’s character arc is his encounter with Bailey Nune, a Lieutenant at the Fire Department. The two hit it off instantly, and as time progresses, their friendship blossoms into a relationship, culminating in their grand marriage in season 6. In the fourth episode of season 8, titled ‘Cut and Run,’ a curveball is thrown at their marriage when Bailey gets a job offer of her dreams. While her first instinct is to turn down the offer due to the challenges that come along with it, the more she sits on the idea, the more appealing it feels, leaving her and Nolan at a crossroads of sorts. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Bailey’s Potential Move to DC Throws Her Relationship With Nolan Into Chaos
In season 8 episode 4 of The Rookie, Bailey is approached by a higher-up from the Pentagon, who wants her to join a government think tank comprising some of the brightest minds in the country. However, there is one big caveat: Bailey will have to leave the LA Fire Department, pack up her bags, and move all the way to DC. With all the effort she has put into becoming one of Tinseltown’s top firefighters, as well as her thriving marriage with Nolan, such a drastic career jump requires immense deliberation, which is why it comes as a surprise to both her and Nolan when she flat-out refuses the offer. However, the idea is already deeply embedded in her heart, and over time, she realizes the value she can provide at the Chocolate City, which likely cannot be replicated anywhere else.
Although Bailey and Nolan initially agree to make the decision together, their opinions are definitively split by the end of the episode. Nolan, upon learning that he would have to restart as a Rookie at DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, expresses zero desire to make the move. Bailey, on the other hand, now has a much fuller grasp of her latent potential and how a policy-making position deeper in the government can help bring out the best version of herself. This isn’t exactly an impasse, either; there is a very strong chance that Bailey will make the move, with or without Nolan. Still, moving to the complete other end of the country is a radical step in their relationship, one that neither of them is truly prepared for, and is unlikely to ever be.
Actor Jenna Dewan’s Journey is Unlikely to Part Ways With The Rookie
With Bailey most likely shifting from LA to DC, actor Jenna Dewan’s journey is pushed into the realm of unpredictability. While it is theoretically possible to integrate her character arc into the larger mesh of the show, this will likely break its episodic storytelling format, chiefly centered around the LAPD’s day-to-day cases. Still, given her importance to the story, there is a higher probability of Dewan continuing as Bailey. Earlier in this season, we see Grey being put into a similar situation, as he is no longer the Staff Sergeant, but instead leads a multi-agency team. That doesn’t mean that actor Richard T. Jones’ time with the show is up, however, as we see him reappear numerous times across episodes, just not in a LAPD uniform. It is likely that Dewan will follow a similar trajectory if her character does take the job offer in DC.
Another reason that Dewan has a good chance of returning to the show is Bailey’s as-of-yet unresolved arc with Nolan. The duo ends the episode with a major disagreement, and how they react and respond to it in the following episodes can make or break their relationship. The immediate effects of Bailey’s decision alone are potent enough to define the entire season, and that is not even including the long-term effects that a potential long-distance relationship with Nolan might bring up. Still, it is equally important that her character soars to reach new heights, and joining the think tank can be the perfect impetus. Still, weaving through her new professional avenues and her marriage with Nolan will likely make for several dramatic high notes, and Dewan will likely be there to embody them all.
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