‘The Rookie’ Shocker: Polarizing Character Returns, David Krumholtz Turns Villain in Ep 803!

CAUTION: This summary contains key plot points from Episode 803, “The Red Place,” of ABC’s The Rookie.

The Rookie, recognized for its intricate plots and a revolving cast of characters, witnessed the return of Seth Ridley (played by Patrick Keleher), the notorious rookie known for his deceit, in this season’s first major comeback. Seth was last seen in the previous season, and his return follows the appearances of Monica and Garza set up in the last episode of Season 7.

Throughout his training, Seth weaved a complex net of lies, including faking cancer treatment. His quest for redemption led him to take a bullet for Nolan (played by Nathan Fillion), resulting in the loss of his lower leg, which was shattered and later amputated.

Seth’s first appearance since last season came with a check-up from his fellow rookie, Miles (Deric Augustine), in tonight’s episode. The visit didn’t go smoothly, with Seth clearly holding onto bitterness. The dialogue quickly heated up after an unfortunate comment from Miles, leading Seth to express his frustration about his unacknowledged apologies and efforts to come clean.

Seth and Miles eventually reconciled later in the episode, with Seth admitting the need to end his self-pity and seeking Miles’ assistance to improve himself, to which Miles agreed under the condition of absolute honesty.

Seth later visited Miles at his new apartment, which he now shares with another rookie, Celina (Lisseth Chavez), after her previous roommate, Lucy (Melissa O’Neil), moved in with Tim (Eric Winter).

In a related criminal case, Nolan’s routine arrest of Ezra Kaine (guest star David Krumholtz), who seemed just a harmless trespasser, unveiled a connection to a cold case involving a murdered couple from Oregon and their missing daughter, Samantha (Bailey Gavulic). Found in Ezra’s hotel room, it was revealed he planned to kill her as he had found a new young woman to abduct.

The Rookie creator Alexi Hawley, who co-authored the episode, discussed with Deadline the decision to bring Seth back for a redemption arc, the casting of Krumholtz as the eerie killer, and how the show’s popularity among younger viewers helped secure the guest star. This episode marks the last airing in its current Tuesday 10 PM slot, with the show moving to Monday nights starting January 26.

Regarding the choice to continue Seth’s story of redemption and his partnership with Miles

HAWLEY: Patrick is a compelling actor, and his storyline last season really captured our attention. It’s fascinating to explore whether a deeply flawed character can be redeemed, especially one who has crossed serious lines. It’s more complex than merely apologizing; it’s about understanding the deep-seated impact of one’s actions.

Seth’s journey is not merely about gaining forgiveness but about personal growth and learning to live with some actions that are unforgivable.

How frequently will Seth appear this season?

HAWLEY: He will return several times this season. We are just beginning this dialogue, but his story is far from over.

Is there a chance for Seth to become a police officer again?

HAWLEY: Technically, yes, if he can meet the physical requirements, there’s a possibility for his return. However, there are other significant hurdles he must overcome.

Regarding the awkward exchange initiated by Miles’ unfortunate comment to Seth, who is an amputee

HAWLEY: That line was intentionally cringe-worthy.

How did The Rookie manage to cast David Krumholtz for the role of Ezra?

HAWLEY: Securing David was a fantastic achievement for us. His immense talent made him a dream addition, especially given his recent high-profile projects. His children being fans of The Rookie certainly played a role in his decision.

The performance of the actress playing his victim was also stellar, crucially matching David’s portrayal to maintain balance in their scenes together.

Considering the return of other memorable villains, is there a possibility of Ezra reappearing?

HAWLEY: While I haven’t figured out how to bring him back yet, I’m open to the possibility.