The Rookie Review: Five Minutes (Season 4 Episode 2)
The Rookie Season 4 Episode 2, “Five Minutes,” attempts to set up a new baseline for the show as it juggles the positions within the department and introduces a new character to take up the role of ‘boot’.
This episode beats around the Jackson-shaped bush, acknowledging his passing but skipping past the actual emotional repercussions of his death. It’s instinct for television to move past situations that aren’t driven solely by narrative choice, but it still feels disingenuous to brush past such important loss.
The Rookie even brings out the big guns with Tricia Helfer, who I am slightly disappointed isn’t playing herself. Even still, she isn’t able doesn’t smoothen this transition quite right.
This episode has four new concepts to introduce and has varying degrees of success with each one. For the most part, Angela and Wesley sit this one out.
Nolan goes through the episode dating Bailey, getting dumped by her, and then winning her back in typical John Nolan fashion.
But to be honest, how much do people care about Nolan’s love life? It’s far from the most interesting thing about the character, and The Rookie meets its romance quota with Angela/Wesley and the popular slow-burn ship, Tim and Lucy.
Not to mention that Nolan’s pursuit of becoming a TO is a path traveled upon far less often than another boring white guy in a relationship.
Why not hone in on that more than just mentioning some reading? The scene where he is practicing with Lucy isn’t only fun, it shows the development between the two. There’s just a disconnect.
On the opposite end of Nolan’s romantic life are Lucy and her home. She lived with Jackson so, out of everyone, she’s the only one showing any semblance of grieving which is frustrating, to say the least.
Even this plot isn’t so much about Jackson as it is about Tamara’s place in Lucy’s life, and Lucy making Tamara feel comfortable. Lucy has great relationships with the characters on this show, but it’s hard to be too invested in Tamara when Jackson died, what feels like, much more recently for the audience than the characters.
And with The Rookie being named what it is, there is also a huge slot to fill with Nolan’s promotion going into Season 4. The show answers this question with a new Amanda Knox-esque rookie, Aaron Thorsen.
The idea of his character seems outlandish and niche, and it is. However, once you’re past the theatrics of it, the character actually gels with the ensemble and thematic elements of The Rookie easily.
His presence quickly brings back the Harper we saw when she first arrived on the show and will add a little bit of the mentor/mentee dynamic that has been less present in later seasons.
Last, but certainly not least, “5 Minutes,” takes its time to introduce Tim as a Sergeant. He does things his way of course, but it’s good to have Grey to counteract Tim and balance him out.
The Rookie also makes a point to show Lucy’s reactions to his new role.
They’ve only been given a few moments so far in this season, but the select moments seem to indicate that the nature of their relationship might change and will at the least, be more direct.
What did you think of this episode of The Rookie? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Rookie airs Sundays at 10/9c on ABC.
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Amanda Reimer
In addition to working as a freelance writer, Amanda also works with animals and stage manages various live performances. She has an invested interest in the perspective and experience of fandoms as well as anything in the science-fiction genre. She also loves spoiling her cats, Drummer and Kiki.