by The Rookie season 7 has formally concluded one lingering plotline, although there are still a few episodes remaining before the conclusion. Since Bailey declined IVF in season six, Nolan and Bailey have been attempting to adopt a child.
The couple meets with a social worker in “Three Billboards,” episode 13 of season 7, to initiate the adoption process, only to have their application rejected. The social worker acknowledges that Nolan and Bailey might never be able to adopt because of the level of danger in their life, even as she praises their characteristics.
Despite the news breaking Nolan and Bailey’s hearts, The Rookie is known for leaving hints for future reference. In a ScreenRant interview, showrunner Alexi Hawley says Bailey and Nolan have accepted that it’s just the two of them.
He explains that although first responders can adopt, the authors wanted to highlight the couple’s dire circumstances and the truth of their particular circumstances. See Hawley’s complete statement below:
ScreenRant: An official informed Bailey and Nolan that adoption was not possible. Has that plotline been officially concluded?
Alexi Hawley: It has, I believe. Unfortunately, I believe the route will have many low spots for them. However, I believe that many individuals also experience similar challenges. It was particularly identifiable when they were unable to conceive biologically.
Ultimately, I believe that the sheer number of near-death experiences they both endure on a regular basis We’re not arguing that first responders can adopt, of course, but that’s the reality of their particular circumstance. However, I believe they have moved past it and accepted [the fact] that it’s just the two of them, at least for now.
ScreenRant: They both attract danger.
Hawley, Alexi: The show succeeds because they truly are. The program wouldn’t be as entertaining if they weren’t danger magnets.
A Summary of Bailey and Nolan’s Relationship in The Rookie: Jenna Dewan’s Initial Appearance in “Threshold” (Season 3, Episode 14).
Dewan makes his on-screen debut in The Rookie season 3, episode 14, which also marks Bailey and Nolan’s first encounter. Locked out of the neighbor’s house, she knocks on his door in a towel, sparking an immediate conversation. Even if the wedding takes an unforgettably terrible turn, Nolan accompanies her to see Angela and Wesley get married.
In season four of The Rookie, Nolan and Bailey start dating, but happiness is not always straightforward to achieve. Nolan meets Jason Wyler, the violent husband Bailey has been trying to escape, before he can propose. After Jason is eventually imprisoned, Nolan and Bailey tie the knot in “The Hammer,” the 100th episode of The Rookie.
Before choosing adoption, the couple chooses to have more children and thinks about IVF therapy. In the season 6 finale, Jason and Oscar are released from prison together, and their bond is once again tested. Bailey provides information about Jason’s location to a hitman named Malvado just before Jason’s death by gunshot.
However, Hawley tells ScreenRant that Bailey’s secret is secure (for the time being) because of Malvado’s passing in The Rookie season 7, episode 14.
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Final Thoughts
Based on statements from showrunner Alexi Hawley, it appears the storyline of Nolan and Bailey attempting to adopt a child has reached a definitive, albeit disheartening, conclusion in “The Rookie” season 7. The social worker’s rejection, citing the inherent dangers of their lives as first responders, highlights a realistic obstacle that many individuals in high-risk professions might face.
While the news is undoubtedly heartbreaking for the couple, Hawley’s explanation suggests the writers aimed to portray the unique challenges and realities of their particular circumstances, especially after they struggle with biological conception.
Hawley’s acceptance of “the fact that it’s just the two of them, at least for now” indicates closure for this plotline. However, “The Rookie” is renowned for its unpredictable plotlines, and the phrase “for now” allows for the possibility of future developments, albeit unlikely in the immediate future.
The provided summary of Nolan and Bailey’s relationship underscores the numerous challenges they’ve already overcome, from Bailey’s abusive ex-husband to the intense dangers they face daily. Their journey has been marked by both deep connection and significant adversity. The fact that Bailey’s secret regarding Jason’s death is currently safe adds another layer of potential future drama, even if their adoption dreams are on hold.
Ultimately, while the news of their adoption rejection is sad, it seems to serve the narrative by grounding the characters in a realistic struggle and emphasizing the high stakes of their chosen professions. The show will likely continue to explore their relationship and individual journeys, focusing on the inherent “danger magnet” nature that makes “The Rookie” so engaging.
