Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from The Rookie season 7, episode 1, “The Shot.”
Months afterThe Rookieseason 6’s ending, it was announced thatTru Valentino, who had played Aaron Thorsen in the show for three years,would exit before the season 7 premiere. The news of his departure was shocking, to say the least. Nothing inThe Rookieseason 6 finalesuggested that Aaron would leave the ABC procedural drama series. However, that was the reality, and many became curious about how Aaron would be written out of the show. Unfortunately, his exit was ultimately very disappointing and underwhelming.
ABC drops new episodes ofThe Rookieseason 7 on Tuesdays at 10 pm ET.
Valentino made his first appearance as Aaron, a rookie, in the second episode of season 4. His character served as Jackson West’s replacement afterTitus Makin Jr. leftThe Rookieduring the premiere, and he was just what the series needed in the wake of Jackson’s death. Aaron was quite different from Jackson, but he still meshed with the rest of the characters well. As the seasons went on,Aaron continued to develop and form different bonds and relationships.It all came to a sudden end, though, whenValentino exitedThe Rookieahead of season 7.
The Rookie’s Explanation Of Aaron’s Absence Is Weak & Disappointing
Aaron Abruptly Left Mid-Wilshire
Despite being a main character for multiple seasons, the wayThe Rookieseason 7 premiere explained Aaron’s absencewasvia a couple of offhand comments made by Nolan and Celina.While in their squad car, Nolan asked how Aaron was adjusting to his transfer to the North Hollywood station. Celina responded that Aaron was doing well. He was just happy to be working with people who were unaware of his situation with Dr. Blair London. And that was it. Afterward, no one spoke about Aaron again.
Patrick Kelehe
Seth Ridley
If a viewer wasn’t fully paying attention to the episode, they likely would have missed thereasoning behind Aaron’s exit fromThe Rookiein season 7. It was that quick. So, between seasons 6 and 7,Aaron abruptly transferred from Mid-Wilshire to North Hollywood because of what happened with Blair.It’s a weak excuse for his absence, at best. But, it’s also disappointing given Aaron’s importance toThe Rookieand many of its characters. Tru Valentino deserved a better ending for his character. The good news is that the series still has time to fix its mistakes.
10 Things To Remember Before The Rookie Season 7
Heading into the season 7 premiere of The Rookie, there are a few things the audience must remember from season 6 of the ABC TV series.
Will Tru Valentino Ever Return In The Rookie?
The Rookie Season 7’s Showrunner Is Open To Aaron Coming Back
According to Tru Valentino andThe Rookieshowrunner Alexi Hawley, the door is open for Aaron to return. Consequently, the ABC procedural drama can do right by Aaron and give him a proper ending. While addressing his exit on hisInstagramstories,Valentino suggested that Aaron’s story wasn’t over yet.PerTV Insider, the actor said, “You never know who may pop back up in the Mid-Wilshire Precinct.” Hawley expressed the same hope for Aaron’s return whenScreen Rantasked him about the possibility.The Rookieshowrunner explained:
“Of course. Tru [Valentino] is a great actor, and he was a huge part of our show for several seasons, and so we’d love to have him back in some capacity. It just ultimately felt like, creatively, for where the show was going, that we needed to pivot a bit. But he’s still very much alive in our universe.”
The Rookie
Cast
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.
