JuicyTalk
As one of the longest-running shows on ABC, The Rookie has chronicled John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) as he’s worked his way up in the LAPD from the Mid-Wilshire division’s oldest rookie to a training officer of his own accord, offering hilarious and heartfelt quotes along the way. As Nolan, who came to the LAPD after a divorce and a near-death experience, is often the focal point of the hit ABC series, his life tends to be the most closely followed of anyone in the show’s large ensemble cast. With so much story to tell, Nolan consistently shares quips and quirks.
As The Rookie season 9 approaches, looking back at past seasons of the ABC series takes on a whole new meaning. Having watched Nolan’s journey from the very beginning, it’s clear that his sense of humor has helped carry him through some tough moments. While being the oldest rookie in LAPD history may have colored his journey in some more difficult ways, Nolan’s sense of wisdom and ability to learn from his mistakes was always a great silver lining for the character, even in times of strife. With iconic quotes throughout the series, Nolan’s best exude both humor and wisdom.
10
“I don’t know if I can pull off this much reptile.”
Season 8, Episode 1
The Rookie season 8 started off strong, bringing Nolan and Bailey (Jenna Dewan) across the pond for an international adventure in Prague. Working with Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) to target a group of high-value terrorists that were operating outside of the US, Nolan dealt with some slight culture shock as he worked the case. While the episode was an action-packed hour, The Rookie’s “Czech Mate” also saw Nolan’s lighter side come to life. In reference to a Euro-style outfit that was ultimately not for him at all, he quipped, “I don’t know if I can pull off this much reptile.”
9
“Hey kids, ever been tased?”
Season 1, Episode 5
While Nolan has long been an officer that finds the fun in his work, he takes things seriously during his time on patrol. In an early episode of The Rookie, during an outdoor community event that saw a rookie Nolan doing some community policing, a group of kids were fooling around in one of the yards he was set to keep track of. When Nolan noticed that the kids were rough-housing in a way that didn’t seem entirely safe, he delivered a quick line of, “hey, kids — ever been tased?” that was part-joke, part-warning to keep their afternoon fun safe.
8
“Okay, fine. Yes, I am seeing someone. She’s an amateur astronomer and a professional luge polisher. We met at a Lizzo concert. We’re gonna raise ocelots together. It’s very exciting.”
Season 2, Episode 20
Nolan’s relationship with serial killer Rosalind Dyer (Annie Wersching) was a fascinating one, and likely would’ve woven itself throughout the entire series of The Rookie if Wersching hadn’t tragically passed in 2023. While Nolan was vehemently against everything Dyer stood for, the serial killer found herself enamored with the rookie officer, and found great joy in toying with him throughout the first few seasons of the series. During one of their encounters after her protégé was captured, Noland delivered a quick rejection of her flirtations, making it clear that he wasn’t interested in taking part in the serial killer’s games.
7
“I wasn’t looking. That’s when love shows up.”
Season 5, Episode 21
One of the most impactful parts of Nolan’s journey has been his relationship with Bailey, who started out as his neighbor and quickly became more. As a training officer, Nolan’s personal and professional life often bleed together, and during The Rookie season 5, as he was training Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez), the pair wound up getting closer when she met Bailey and befriended her. During The Rookie season 5 episode 21, “Going Under”, Nolan’s talking to Juarez about dating after a tough break and shares, “I wasn’t looking, that’s when love shows up,” about meeting Bailey and falling for her.
6
“We’ve come a long way, haven’t we, Sir?…Maybe it’s about time I start calling you Wade?”
Season 5, Episode 2
During the early seasons, it seemed like Sgt. Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones) was going to be one of Nolan’s biggest adversaries. While Grey was hopeful that Nolan would make it through his rookie year, he also didn’t want to make it seem like people were going easy on Nolan because of his age. Instead, Grey would poke at Nolan and get under his skin. As the series continued, the pair became closer, and when Nolan finally became a TO, he teasingly asked Grey if he could begin calling him by his first name after such a long journey together.
5
“Your job as a parent is to protect your children as much as you can, but that also means teaching them right from wrong. There has to be consequences.”
Season 3, Episode 7
Nolan’s son, Henry, is a massive part of his backstory despite no longer appearing regularly on The Rookie. Already grown up when Nolan joins the LAPD, Henry is in the early seasons of the series as he navigates life as a young adult. During The Rookie season 3 episode 7, “True Crime”, Nolan is talking about a case involving a child actor to a documentary crew, and when the subject of parenting comes up, he has some solid advice about what a parent’s role is. The reminder that Nolan has lived a life prior to the show is always welcome.
4
“You’re damn right I love and cherish you — you are the most impressive person I’ve ever met, and I wake up every morning to the dream of being your man.”
Season 6, Episode 2
Nolan and Bailey’s love story took both of them by surprise, and after two seasons of difficulties that made their relationship all the more hectic, the pair finally decided to tie the knot. The wedding episode of The Rookie, which also served as the show’s hundredth episode, was a chaotic hour that took some time in the middle to truly show just how much Nolan and Bailey love one another. Delivering heartfelt vows to each other in front of their friends, family, and colleagues, The Rookie got to see Nolan declare his love for Bailey in a sweet, honest way.
3
“I would say the whole benefit of experience is to learn from each incident, both victories and mistakes, so if the situation happens again, it’ll be a win.”
Season 7, Episode 1
Being a training officer didn’t seem to be Nolan’s goal upon entering the LAPD as an officer, but as he worked with his own training officers and got the chance to be on patrol on his own, it was clear he wanted to contribute more to the force. Eventually, Nolan became clear on the fact that he wanted to become a TO, teaching new officers how to work in the field in order to create a better system. Talking about what the point of the job is during The Rookie season 7 episode 1, “The Shot”, Nolan’s explanation was meaningful.
2
“Drop the German! Put the German down!”
Season 5, Episode 20
Throughout The Rookie’s run, Nolan’s gained some interesting friends from all sorts of places. One of those friends, Skip Tracer Randy (Flula Borg), has come back to the show time and time again to make a mess of things and, ultimately, help the LAPD out. In one of his appearances, Skip Tracer Randy is dealing with some threats to his life, and when Nolan follows along to discover who’s at hand, he watches as Randy gets attacked on the pickleball court. In a hilarious moment, he shouts to the suspect to “put down the German,” creating a signature Nolan moment.
1
“I think that good people will make the right choice when it really matters.”
Season 1, Episode 3
In the show’s early episodes, one of the most important parts of Nolan’s story was that while he wasn’t good at his job yet, he had a lot of heart. Nolan’s heart would guide him into situations that weren’t likely safe, but that he’d (hopefully) be able to talk his way out of throughout the course of the episode. In one of the first episodes of the series, Nolan explains a life philosophy, sharing, “I think that good people will make the right choice when it really matters.” Nolan’s outlook is a quintessential part of his character on The Rookie.
- Release Date
-
October 16, 2018
- Showrunner
-
Alexi Hawley
- Directors
-
Tori Garrett, Chi-Yoon Chung, Michael Goi, Sylvain White, Lisa Demaine, Lanre Olabisi, Bill Johnson, David McWhirter, Liz Friedlander, Daniel Willis, Toa Fraser, Anne Renton, Jon Huertas, Cherie Nowlan, TK Shom, Rob Seidenglanz, Valerie Weiss, Barbara Brown, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, SJ Main Muñoz, Nelson McCormick, Marcus Stokes, Adam Davidson, Anna Mastro
- Writers
-
Corey Miller, Bill Rinier, Zoe Cheng, Mary Trahan, Ally Seibert, Liz Alper, Nick Hurwitz, Racheal Seymour, Madeleine Coghlan, David Radcliff
