Seth's exit in The Rookie paves the way for John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) to be paired with a brand new rookie. He worked tirelessly to become a great training officer and train his first rookie, Celina, to the best of his ability. Because he cared so deeply about her success, John was devoted to her progress. In turn, his first rookie became a ringer and the pride he felt for her was unmatched. The two were able to develop a deep connection and trust that made them both successful by the end of Celina's training in The Rookie season 7.

Celina has a natural instinct and was secure in herself. It wasn't just John's training that made her a great officer. It was her belief in herself and her own gut feeling that pushed her to be great. This is why, in The Rookie season 8, John needs to have a challenge. Celina was a great first rookie, but it won't always be like that for him. In order for John to prove that he is a great training officer, he is going to need someone that no one believes in.

John Needs To Have A More Challenging Case

A Failure Is Where We Will See John Succeed

Seth was the perfect example of a challenge for John. He gave Lucy every excuse to kick him out of the program, and she struggled with what to do with him. Unfortunately for John, he only got a small taste of what Seth was capable of in The Rookie season 7 finale. Despite the rookie's image, John put himself to the test and was determined to give him an equal shot. Now, he knows how to look at them from the outside and will be able to find ways to make it work for the individual.

Giving John a possible washout would be the true test of his ability to train great officers. This will also be an opportunity for him to seek advice from those who trained him and may not have considered him an easy case during his rookie years. John has constantly been praised for his training of Celina, so it's time for a reality check. They are not all going to be that easy. If John has a difficult rookie that he has to fail, it will be interesting to see how he deals with his failures as he did his successes.

John’s Private Life Has Overshadowed His Work Life In Season 7

The Show Has Gotten Away From Its Original Premise

Season 7 shook things up by taking a step back from John's professional life and focusing more on his personal life. Although it was fun watching him ing everyone else around him, it didn't help him grow much as a character. The Rookie's original premise was to follow John around in a brand-new profession at an older age. If John has a difficult rookie, then this is the perfect opportunity to return to the show's roots. John has had a very successful career in the LAPD thus far. This may be good for him but not for the show's storytelling.

John has been complacent in his job in order to get his personal life in order.

Lucy, the rookie John graduated with, has become a Sergeant and is continuing on advancing her career inside the LAPD. John has been complacent in his job in order to get his personal life in order. Now that things have settled down at home, it is time for John to take the same steps as Lucy.

There needs to be a shakeup in his work life in order to keep building upon the foundation of the show. If he's given another "easy" rookie, then there just doesn't seem to be a point in keeping his character around anymore. The Rookie is originally John's story after all. It's time to give him something only he can deal with.

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