Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from The Rookie season 7, episode 12, “April Fools.”
After a string of chaotic, significantly impactful episodes,The Rookieseason 7 lets loose (literally) with “April Fools,” and it has its pros and cons. Season 7 of the ABC police procedural series is back to its typical larger episode count after a condensed season 6, meaning there is room for filler and various storylines that begin and end within an hour, like in episode 12.The Rookiecertainly thrives on its lighter moments(well, its version of fun, like an April Fools' Day purge). While episode 12 is no exception, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t contain any flaws.
The Rookieseason 7 will contain 18 episodes, eight more than season 6, which was shortened due to production delays related to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.
Following the bus hostage situation and thereturn of Monica inThe Rookieseason 7, episode 11, episode 12 opens with Tim and Lucy taking a hall pass that allows them to forego their previous breakup for one day. Elsewhere in the hour,the police deal with April Fools' Day pranks gone wrong throughout the city.Grey also assigns Nolan a new rookie after Celina’s graduation, which Nathan Fillion’s character believes to be a joke in light of the holiday (but he couldn’t be more wrong), and Lopez, Harper, and Wesley discover a dirty cop.
The Rookie Season 7, Episode 12’s Action Is The Best Yet
“April Fools” Takes Full Advantage Of The Holiday To Create Tense Action Sequences
Some of the best moments ofThe Rookieseason 7, episode 12 are its action moments. Tim, Lucy, and Celina’s takedown of the purge activity in the office building is a highlight. However,almost every scene concerning the horrifying prank induced by the begrudging social media intern, no matter how brief, is well done.The sequences are thrilling, induce fear just like the actualPurgemovies, and are a great way to “celebrate” April Fools' DayThe Rookie-style.
The Rookie Season 7, Episode 8 Review: I’m Thrilled About Tim & Lucy’s Iconic Relationship Moment In One Of The Rookie’s Best Episodes Yet
The Rookie put out its best episode in seasons with “Wildfire,” which contains numerous twists, gripping moments, and memorable developments.
Perhaps some (or a lot of) scenes inThe Rookieepisodeare unbelievable, but they are still entertaining. Whether it’s Nolan and his new rookie, Connor, facing off against a group of criminals in terrifying masks infiltrating a crime scene, Tim, Lucy, and Celina fighting those partaking in the purge, or Lopez and Harper stopping the dirty cop from escaping, no one can say that “April Fools” isn’t exciting. In the end,everything that transpires inThe Rookieseason 7, episode 12 might feel like one big prank.Still, it’s one worth experiencing.
“April Fools” Is A Filler Episode Through & Through (But That’s Mostly A Good Thing)
TV Needs More Filler Episodes
Yes,The Rookieseason 7, episode 12 isn’t as consequential as some that came before, but that’s okay. TV needs to return to the days of 20-plus episode seasons that contain a handful of filler (and holiday) hours. Not everything has to drive the plot forward. Instead,some TV show episodes can just sit in the fictional world with its characters and enjoy it, like “April Fools.”
Nevertheless,somestories inThe Rookieseason 7, episode 12 didn’t have to end within the hour, like Nolan’s.Grey assigns Nolan a new rookie in “April Fools,” and he can’t help but feel like he’s being punked. Connor, who supposedly spent most of his rookie year with one of the LAPD’s most renowned training officers, can barely handle giving someone a ticket. Nolan later learns the famous training officer doesn’t want to end his career with someone with “no instincts.” So, he sticks him with Nolan.
Patrick Kelehe
Seth Ridley
Fillion’sThe Rookieseason 7 characterrefuses to give up on Connor, though, giving the younger man until the end of the day to prove himself worthy of being a police officer. Ultimately,Connor learns a lot from Nolanand handles himself well during the purge. As a result, he stays in the rookie program.
Connor’s abrupt exit simply doesn’t make much sense, especially becauseThe Rookiedoes a great job developing his character and relationship with Nolan in “April Fools.”
For some reason, though,Grey reassigns Connor to a “much quieter” division.The lieutenant explains that he does so to give him the best opportunity to succeed, but Connor seems to be doing just fine under Nolan’s wing. Connor’s abrupt exit simply doesn’t make much sense, especially becauseThe Rookiedoes a great job developing his character and relationship with Nolan in “April Fools.”
Tim & Lucy’s Temporary Reconciliation Doesn’t Make Much Sense
Their Hook-Up Is Frustratingly Inconsequential
Another nonsensical aspect ofThe Rookieseason 7, episode 12is Tim and Lucy’s random hook-up. Out of the blue, Lucy shows up on Tim’s doorstep at the beginning of the hour. She explains how she wants to partake in a one-day hall pass that allows them to be together because it’s April Fools' Day.
Sure, it’s great for “Chenford” shippers. However,the former couple’s temporary reunion is illogical and only hurts their development in season 7.Tim and Lucy don’t even discuss the state of their relationship or their past problems. Instead, they giggle and make out in hidden rooms, which frustratingly won’t even impactTim and Lucy’s relationshipin season 7.
New episodes ofThe Rookieseason 7 air Tuesdays at 9pm ET on ABC.
The Rookie Season 7, Episode 12
The Rookie follows John Nolan, a small-town man who embarks on a new career as an LAPD officer after a life-changing event. As the force’s oldest rookie, Nolan faces skepticism from superiors who view his pursuit as a midlife crisis.
