At a Glance
- Patrick Keleher’s pathological-liar rookie Seth Ridley returned in the Jan. 20 episode
- Creator Alexi Hawley says he wants to test whether Seth can be redeemed after crossing ethical lines
- Seth, now leg-amputated after taking a bullet for Nolan, faces tense reunions with former colleagues
- Why it matters: Fans remain divided on whether a redemption arc is deserved or wanted
The Rookie brought back one of its most divisive characters on Jan. 20, reigniting debate among viewers about second chances and on-screen accountability.
Patrick Keleher reprised his role as Seth Ridley, the rookie exposed last season as a compulsive liar who manipulated colleagues to survive training. The episode finds Seth recovering from a leg amputation after he took a bullet for Nolan, a moment that once appeared heroic but now complicates his legacy.
The Return Nobody Saw Coming
Miles (Deric Augustine) visits Seth to check on his recovery, but the encounter is strained. A follow-up scene shows the two men attempting to reconcile, hinting that Seth’s journey back into the squad’s good graces will be anything but smooth.
Social media reaction was swift. One viewer posted on X that they “would’ve preferred a funeral scene” over another Seth appearance. Another asked, “Genuinely what was the point of bringing Seth back in The Rookie?”
Why the Creator Refused to Let Seth Fade Away
Show-runner Alexi Hawley told Deadline that Seth’s prior arc was “really provocative and interesting,” making the character impossible to abandon. Hawley’s goal is to explore a thorny question: “Can you redeem a character who really has not just f—ed up, but really crossed the lines?”
The writer stressed that forgiveness will not come easily. “It’s not as easy as just calling people and apologizing, and you get forgiven, and everything’s good,” he said.
Hawley plans to stretch the redemption narrative across multiple episodes. Seth “still has a lot of maturing to do,” he noted, adding that some wounds may never heal. “Some trauma that you’ve inflicted on other people you’ll never be forgiven for, and you have to figure out how to walk that path.”
A Mirror to Real-World Accountability
The creator framed Seth’s mindset as a reflection of broader cultural tensions. “Seth is still very defensive and a victim,” Hawley observed. “We see a lot of that, sadly, in the world right now, the sense of victimhood. Not to get political, but somehow you’re always the victim of stuff that happens to you, as opposed to, sometimes you do stuff that’s bad, and you should pay for it.”
More Seth on the Horizon
Hawley confirmed that Keleher will appear “a few more times this season,” though he declined to reveal specific plot points. “We’re starting a conversation with this episode, but he will be back,” he promised.
Augustine had teased the surprise return earlier in interviews, telling News Of Los Angeles that the storyline would let audiences “really see the true dynamic of their relationship.” He described upcoming scenes as “phenomenal” and praised the acting craft on display, while admitting the spoilers are so significant that he could not share further details.
What’s Next for the Rookie Squad
New episodes of The Rookie air Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. As Seth’s redemption arc unfolds, viewers will learn whether second chances are possible inside-and outside-the precinct walls.
