'The Rookie' Season 8 Episode 17 recap: Hit cop procedural kills major character ahead of epic finale
Contains spoilers for 'The Rookie' Season 8 Episode 17: 'Dead Ringer'
It's the end of the road for Bridget Regan's Monica Stevens on 'The Rookie' Season 8. There was a major and unexpected surprise in Episode 17, 'Dead Ringer' on Monday, with the series' think-tank deciding to kill Monica. The corrupt lawyer spent the majority of the season double-crossing the feds and the criminals, and that ultimately led to her death, just before the season finale. In the latest episode, Monica continues to find solutions to one of her underhanded dealings that promise a new life, while also holding on to the luxury she has. However, the feds and the gangsters realize she's trying to pull a fast one on both parties.
The final reprieve comes in the form of criminal head honcho Aiden (Tim Griffin), who seemingly offers her a way out: A plane waiting at LAX to whisk her off to safety. On the way, Monica makes one final stop to meet her ex-boyfriend, Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore), and they have a heartfelt conversation. The latter tries to convince her to make things right, and just when it looks like she could escape, the woman driving the cab whizzes past the exit for LAX, confirming the lawyer's fate. She's shot twice in the chest, and her body is discovered on the side of the road the following day. With this, Regan's four-season arc finally comes to a close.
Speaking on TV Insider, Regan shed light on her character's end. "Truly, I was not surprised,” she told the outlet. "I was thrilled that she lasted as long as she did. If you play with fire, as she has, eventually you’re going to get burned. And as I said, everybody, I was like, she’s not on her ninth life. She’s on her 37th. She’s escaped multiple assassinations, prison time, and being thrown in a wood chipper. When her number was finally up, I wasn’t surprised. I thought, ‘Fair enough.’ She’s had an amazing run, four years on this show. I’m only filled with gratitude." With this, the focus now shifts to the finale, where the fate of villain Liam Glasser (Seth Gabel) will be determined. The episode ended with him threatening John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) about his future actions, which are unclear at this moment. 'The Rookie' Season 8 ends its run with episode 18 on Monday (May 4) at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
