The Rookie Season 8 Episode 7, titled “Baja,” delivered major answers about Seth Ridley’s unexpected return and his true intentions after covering for Miles Penn during a dangerous off-duty mission. The February 16 episode finally explained why Seth chose to protect Nolan’s rookie and what it means for his future with the LAPD.
The episode showed Seth stepping up in ways viewers never expected from a character who was fired for pathological lying. When Miles went rogue conducting unauthorized surveillance on a criminal named Hamster, Seth not only joined him but also made the smart call to contact John Nolan when things went wrong. This moment changed everything about how fans view Seth’s return to the series.
Seth’s Surprising Role in Miles’ Dangerous Stakeout
The seventh episode of Season 8 revealed that Miles Penn decided to run his own off-the-books operation to catch a criminal. He pulled Seth into the plan, and the two former rookies found themselves in serious trouble when Hamster captured Miles. Seth immediately reached out to Nolan for help, which led to Tim Bradford joining the rescue mission .
What stood out most was Seth’s behavior throughout the crisis. Unlike his previous pattern of lying and covering up mistakes, Seth remained level-headed and focused on keeping Miles safe. He even tried talking sense into Miles before everything went wrong, proving that something had changed since his firing .
FAME Magazine noted that Seth proved to be “rational and reasonable” during the ordeal, showing better instincts than Miles despite being the one who is no longer an active cop. The irony was clear: Miles thought he could help Seth get back into the academy, but Seth ended up being the one with better judgment .
The Real Reason Seth Covered for His Friend
Seth’s decision to cover for Miles wasn’t about protecting a bad decision. It came from genuine friendship and loyalty. When Miles went rogue, Seth could have walked away or reported him. Instead, he stayed by his side and made sure help arrived when Miles got kidnapped .
This version of Seth is completely different from the one fans met in Season 7. Back then, Seth lied about having cancer, contaminated crime scenes, and covered up his mistakes until Lucy Chen exposed him. He was fired after refusing a blood test that would have proven he faked his illness .
But Seth took a bullet for Nolan in the Season 7 finale, losing part of his leg. That moment of heroism opened the door for his return. Now in Season 8, Seth appears to have learned from his past. He still wants to be a cop, but he’s approaching things differently .
Show creator Alexi Hawley explained that Seth’s return was always intended as a potential redemption arc. He told Deadline that actor Patrick Keleher brings depth to the role, and the writers wanted to explore whether someone who crossed major lines could earn a second chance .
What Seth Is Hiding Now
The big question after Episode 7 is whether Seth still has secrets. The show hasn’t revealed any new lies from Seth since his return, which suggests he might finally be telling the truth. However, his character history makes viewers wonder if there’s more beneath the surface .
Seth’s willingness to put himself in danger for Miles shows genuine growth. He’s not asking for favors or trying to manipulate the situation. He simply showed up when a friend needed help and made the right calls under pressure .
Fans noticed that Seth didn’t try to take credit or make himself look good. He quietly did what needed to be done and let the chips fall where they may. That’s a far cry from the Seth who once faked cancer to keep his job .
Tim Bradford’s Tough Decision About Miles
While Seth emerged as a reliable friend, Miles Penn faced serious consequences for his reckless behavior. Tim Bradford initially fired Miles on the spot after rescuing him from the kidnapping situation. Bradford was furious that his former rookie had gone rogue and put himself and Seth in danger .
Eric Winter, who plays Bradford, explained that Tim was “more disappointed” than angry. Tim takes pride in training his rookies properly, and watching Miles make such stupid choices hit him hard. Winter noted that seeing someone go off on their own tangent “rubs him the wrong way, for sure” .
Nolan stepped in and convinced Bradford to adjust the punishment. Instead of firing Miles completely, Tim suspended him for two weeks and extended his rookie training by six months. This will affect Miles’ career options going forward, but it gives him a chance to learn from his mistakes .
Winter believes Tim just needed time to cool down before making a final decision. He pointed out that Tim’s growth as a character and in his new Watch Commander role means learning “to see a bigger, broader picture of giving a good cop a chance to make mistakes and learn and grow” .
However, Winter added that Tim “struggles” with Miles having Seth back in his life. The actor explained that after everything that happened with Seth’s lies, Tim “definitely doesn’t appreciate and doesn’t forgive easily” .
Lucy and Nyla’s Undercover Success
While the Seth and Miles drama unfolded, Lucy Chen and Nyla Harper ran a successful undercover operation in Baja. They posed as a couple living the van life to catch the people responsible for murdering two young women who were forced into drug trafficking .
The case hit close to home for Lucy, who saw her own past reflected in the victims. Before joining the LAPD, Lucy spent time figuring out her life and avoiding her parents’ expectations. She admitted to doing things that weren’t exactly legal during that period, and she realized that luck was the only thing separating her from the victims .
Melissa O’Neil, who plays Lucy, explained that the episode allowed her character to process trauma in a healthy way. Rather than dwelling on her pain, Lucy channeled it into helping others. O’Neil told EssentiallyHollywood that any part of Lucy feeling like “a fish out of water” disappeared because she stayed so focused on the mission .
The partnership between Lucy and Nyla gave both characters space to open up. Nyla shared her stress about the ongoing Glasser investigation, while Lucy confronted memories she usually keeps buried. Their undercover personas as girlfriends allowed for genuine conversations that strengthened their friendship .
How Seth’s Redemption Arc Is Developing
Seth’s role in Episode 7 suggests the show is serious about redeeming him. He didn’t just show up and cause problems. He actively helped keep Miles safe and demonstrated real police instincts .
FAME Magazine’s review noted that this version of Seth is “more tolerable” and that if he returns permanently, viewers might not mind. The writers seem to be slowly bringing him back into the fold without forcing forgiveness from the other characters .
The big test will come when Seth has to interact regularly with Lucy, Bradford, and others who remember his lies. For now, he’s operating on the edges, helping when needed without demanding attention or favors.
Patrick Keleher previously told Screenrant that Seth genuinely wants to be a good cop and make a difference. The problem was that lying became so deeply rooted in his behavior that he couldn’t stop. Losing his leg and his career might have been the wake-up call he needed .
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What Episode 7 Means Going Forward
The events of “Baja” set up interesting possibilities for both Seth and Miles. Miles now faces an extended training period that will test his patience and prove whether he learned anything from going rogue. Seth, meanwhile, has shown he can be trusted in a crisis .
Seth’s decision to cover for Miles and call Nolan demonstrated loyalty and good judgment. Those are exactly the qualities he lacked during his first run with the LAPD. If he continues making smart choices, he might eventually earn his way back into the academy .
The show has planted seeds for Seth’s potential return without rushing the process. He’s not suddenly best friends with everyone or pretending the past didn’t happen. He’s simply showing up, being helpful, and letting his actions speak for themselves.
For fans who hated Seth in Season 7, Episode 7 offered a chance to see him differently. He’s no longer the guy who lies to save himself. He’s the guy who stood by a friend in trouble and made sure help arrived when it mattered most.
The Rookie airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC. New episodes stream on Hulu the day after they air.
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