The Rookie Season 5 brings Mircea Monroe's Isabel back to the police procedural for the first time since Season 1. From the first episode, Isabel is primarily depicted through Tim's point of view as it's the first time he's seen his wife in nearly a year. Much of Isabel's presence in the debut season hinges on Tim trying to help her find her footing and visiting her when she's in rehab. Four seasons later, The Rookie gets to know Isabel on her terms with a plot significant to her, and the show gets to fill in the gaps left by Tim's stories.
Isabel becomes a more well-rounded character with an extended history in the show's universe — outside of her relationship with Tim. The Rookie gives more depth to Isabel through an old case significant to her personal life and career as an undercover cop. All the while, "S.T.R." deepens the relationship between her and Tim without it ever being the sole purpose of her visit. Plus, the show doesn't miss a beat to check in on a seed planted in Season 1 between Isabel and Lucy. The episode does such a great job of reintroducing Isabel that it's easy to wish to see her recur on The Rookie.
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Chenford Helps Isabel with an Old UC Case
Isabel's appearances throughout The Rookie's first season detail that she will always be important to Tim. So much so, Season 1, Episode 7, "The Ride Along," features one of Tim's most significant moral dilemmas as he grapples with whether he should tamper with evidence to protect Isabel. While Lucy eventually convinces him not to, that episode is another example of Isabel's impact on Tim's life. By Season 1, Episode 12, "Heartbreak," The Rookie finally gives more of a glimpse into Tim's impact on Isabel's life. She tells him, "I found something I wanted more than a fix. For you to see me sober."
Monroe wasn't a series regular then, so much of Isabel's story unfolded off-screen and between episodes. The first season sees Isabel sober in her last appearance, but knowledge of her withdrawal period at the hospital only exists because of her dialogue's confirmation. Also, Isabel's work as a UC is never shown in flashbacks; she only works as a C.I. (confidential informant) for a larger case in Season 1, Episode 8, "Time of Death." After her last appearance, Lucy reaches out to Isabel to help Tim prepare for his sergeant's exam, which Season 5 references as Chenford takes things slowly. Still, as Lucy mentions in "S.T.R.," much of Isabel's characterization comes from Tim's stories of her.
This episode changes that for the better when Isabel returns with a few years of sobriety and a goal to help someone from her UC days, Dara. It's a blast to see Tim and Isabel step back into a rapport they likely carried as they worked side by side. It's fun to see Smitty greet Isabel with a smile. It's telling that Nyla describes Isabel as someone she heard of "first as a rock star UC, then as a cautionary tale." That dialogue supports the narrative that Isabel is good at her job.
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Isabel and Lucy Team Up on an Undercover Op
It's fulfilling to hear Isabel talk about the high-stress environments she found herself in and letting people go while undercover. Of course, Season 1 prioritizes Tim's perspective, so Season 5 offers a finer-tuned necessary point of view — Isabel's. The combination of their experiences lets "S.T.R." hit poignant notes with lines like "I get it because I held my breath every time you left for a long-term assignment" from Tim. Even then, "S.T.R." never instills doubt that Isabel could derail Lucy and Tim's relationship. However, it finds fun beats in Tamara's quest to learn more about Isabel to protect Lucy, who has become family to her.
Chenford's first Valentine's Day together proves this couple can handle obstacles. Isabel's brief return to UC work only opens the door for the conflict that already exists between Chenford — the strain of their preferred professional paths. Tim knows about Lucy's interest in undercover work and realizes that his ex-wife and girlfriend are different people, but Isabel brings a lot of old concerns and wounds to the surface. Isabel, "a UC legend," also happens to be a great person for Lucy to discuss the field with, especially after Lucy learned about Isabel's work in Season 1, Episode 3, "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."
The Rookie subverts expectations (similar to how it dodged a love triangle) that the women will only talk about Tim, opting for a frank discussion of their line of work. There's an instant chemistry and respect between Isabel and Lucy that translates into the field. There's no competition, only comrade. Seeing them team up again would be a thrill, even for something low-stakes outside of UC work.
The Rookie airs on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.
