The Rookie S7E15: Nolan & Chen’s Shocking Breakup Revealed!

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Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for The Rookie season 7, episode 15.

Summary

  • “A Deadly Secret” of The Rookie season 7 is filmed as a true crime doc with humor and horror movie elements.
  • Body cam footage reveals Bradford broke up with Chen as a form of self-punishment in episode 15.
  • Episode 15 sheds light on a government conspiracy involving a truth serum and a demonic possession theory.

In the final stages of season 7, The Rookie is left with only a handful of episodes. Interestingly, the recent episode takes on a unique twist, being presented as a true crime documentary, breaking away from the usual weekly case format. As John Nolan (previously starring in Castle and Firefly) navigates his role within the LAPD, he and his colleagues are questioned about a missing character who holds significance for both Nolan and the audience. Since its debut in 2018, The Rookie has been recognized as one of the more upbeat police procedurals, with its humor providing a nice counterpoint to the grimmer cases they encounter.

In the seventeenth episode of The Rookie’s seventh season, titled “A Deadly Secret,” which was broadcast on April 22nd, 2025, we find ourselves immersed in an engaging tale revolving around a missing individual who is acquainted with Nolan. This episode incorporates some thrilling horror film motifs and ends on a humorous note.

What Happens At The End Of The Rookie Season 7, Episode 15, “A Deadly Secret”?

In the final episode of The Rookie season 7, titled “A Deadly Secret,” we see Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) in the deserted ward of Westview Psych Hospital on body cam footage. They had come into contact with walls treated with sodium pentothal, a truth serum, which made them open up to each other honestly and vulnerably. Fans have been curious about why Bradford ended things with Chen, and this is where we find out: he chose to punish himself because he was accustomed to getting into trouble due to his father’s mistreatment. Chen expresses forgiveness. While it’s satisfying to learn this backstory, some viewers might be disappointed that these beloved characters continue to remain separated.

Just like some captivating episodes of NCIS, The Rookie reaches its peak when it delves into the storylines of beloved characters such as Chen and Bradford. In The Rookie season 7, episode 15, the narrative seamlessly blends footage from the team’s body cams in Westview with segments for a documentary-style presentation. This episode then introduces Abigail Tierney (portrayed by Madeleine Coghlan), who had gone missing. She shares her survival story, having found sustenance in trail mix and a water jug during her ordeal. Interestingly, she also interacts with the corpse of a man named Bob, whom she believes is still alive. Celina Jurarez (played by Lisseth Chavez), who played a crucial role in The Rookie season 7, episode 14 by solving a chilling case, steps into the spotlight once more in this installment. While Nolan and his colleagues are skeptical of the supernatural, Celina entertains the idea, treating Abigail as if she’s a character in a horror film about demonic possession. In Celina’s words:

She entered completely sound of mind, but emerged having formed a friendship with a dead body. That’s the nature of possession. One cannot dismiss the possibility of supernatural entities like demons being involved.

After Nolan is questioned, Abigail enters and mentions he pledged to discuss with her for her documentary. Nolan consents, and subsequently, the audience witnesses clips of Abigail’s ordeal within the Westview lab. Abigail reveals she uncovered a government plot, which entailed administering a truth serum as a form of “mind control.” Dr. Erikson (Ray Siegle) was the mastermind behind this scheme.

Abigail has been rendered unconscious, following an incident where a man named Carl kidnapped her and placed her in a vehicle. This abduction was captured on film by a woman. The police locate Abigail once more at Westview. Abigail reveals that Carl’s superior, Meg Davidson, the head of Westview, intended for him to murder her but she managed to dissuade him. Davidson had been targeting wealthy patients with the intention of forcing them into conservatorship. Nolan clarifies that Davidson was Dr. Erickson’s therapist and believed that the contaminated water could endanger patients. After an investigation by the state, Westview was closed down. It is difficult not to draw parallels between this situation and the sinister schemes of Hawkins Lab as depicted in Stranger Things.

In the gripping seventeenth episode of The Rookie’s seventh season, as a dedicated film enthusiast, I found myself deeply touched by the heartfelt exchange between Nolan and Abigail. When she asserted that she was managing just fine, focusing on her documentary was her preference, Nolan confessed his tendency to employ work as a form of therapy. He extended an offer for her to reach out if she ever needed someone to talk to. What struck me most was when Abigail revealed Bob had shared case details with her, suggesting she held onto the belief that he might still be alive. The episode culminated with the Ghost Files hosts fleeing in terror from Westview.

The Rookie Season 7, Episode 15 Uses A True Crime Documentary Format To Debate Science Vs. Ghosts

In the 18th episode of Season 5, titled “Double Trouble” from the show “The Rookie”, they filmed it like a real crime documentary. This time around, the narrative technique is employed to reintroduce Abigail, who was once fiancée to Henry (Zayne Emory), Nolan’s son. Abigail had previously made an appearance in Season 2, episode 5, titled “Tough Love.” The episode, “A Deadly Secret”, delves into the widespread appeal of ghost-hunting shows. In this episode, Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej appear as hosts of a show called “Ghost Files”. Additionally, the episode includes some spooky and entertaining scenes related to horror movies, as Abigail was working on a movie titled “Hell P.D.”.

In an interview with TV Insider, showrunner Alexi Hawley explained more about this episode:

We aimed to intensify the eerie and haunting atmosphere a bit more, incorporating elements reminiscent of actual ghost hunters and authentic frightening locations. This is essentially where our idea originated.

Hawley added that Nolan and Harper (Mekia Cox) argue there’s always a logical scientific reason behind things, while Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) and Celina believe in the existence of spirits. Once again, “The Rookie” captivated us by showcasing its distinctive characters, as it did in season 7’s “Three Billboards,” an episode that depicted anti-LAPD billboards and buses throughout Los Angeles. Following this true crime documentary-style installment, the next regular episode of “The Rookie” season 7 will air.

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2025-04-23 19:01