Officers Bishop and Nolan took a moment to pay their respects at Captain Anderson's grave on The Rookie Season 1 Episode 17 and then life moved on.

I was a little disappointed that we didn't see any of the Captain's funeral, but this isn't a show about wallowing in grief, it's about dealing with the loss by getting back to work.

The Captain's death will affect everyone, but I'm most curious as to how it changes Nolan.

Improvise, adapt, and overcome were the words on Zoe Anderson's gravestone. Her final moments were full of improvising and adapting, but there was no way to overcome a bullet to the neck.

Anderson partnered with Nolan because there was a target on his back. She had a soft spot for her oldest rookie, and she believed in him before anyone else did.

And then he had to watch her die.

That's got to leave some emotional scars, and I hope we see the ripple effect of that play out over time.

But dealing with an earthquake was a pretty good distraction.

Nolan was quick to jump at the idea of volunteering for the protection detail even if Bishop wasn't on board.

Protection details are like watching paint dry.
Officer Bishop

Permalink: Protection details are like watching paint dry.

I'm sure most of them are, but this one was different.

I wish Michael Trucco (Battlestar Galactica, Fairly Legal) had more than just those small scenes as ADA Sean DelMonte.

I've always liked the actor, but his role here seemed to be about making Nolan question if Jessica was unhappy with his rookie status.

Guest star Joel McHale (Community) had the fun role of Brad Hayes, former Border Patrol Agent turned criminal.

It was difficult not to chuckle as Hayes tried to spin every despicable thing he did with a smile and not a shred of remorse.

Hayes made me understand why Bradford had the rule about not engaging with the protectee. At best, Hayes was a distraction to their job, and at worst, he was looking to manipulate them.

We’re here to guard this guy not braid his hair and be besties.
Officer Bradford

Permalink: We’re here to guard this guy not braid his hair and be besties.

One moment Hayes seemed sincere over having to watch people die trying to come to this country for a better life and the next he was admitting to helping wanted cartel members get back to Mexico.

He seemed more than happy to take money from them all.

I know this was Nolan and Bradford's chance to bond, but I hope we get to see these two share a day in a squad car together.

Bradford's brooding and Nolan's chattiness should make for some great entertainment when bullets aren't flying.

Elsewhere, Jackson got upset when Gino showed up at the station.

At first, I thought Jackson was concerned about the squad learning that he's gay, but he was even more frazzled to realize that Gino was returning the off-duty weapon that he'd left behind.

Jackson West holds himself to a high standard at work, but he needs to work on doing the same in his personal life. Gino had every reason to be upset with Jackson's outburst.

At least Jackson realized he overreacted and apologized. I was relieved when these two made up in the end because they make an adorable couple.

At the hospital, Lucy's discussion with her father was enlightening, and it led to one of my favorite The Rookie quotes.

Lucy had mentioned that her parents weren't happy with her being a police officer, but I always assumed it was because of the dangers of the job, not about their overall feelings concerning law enforcement and the justice system.

I know you’re disappointed in me but you and mom always taught me to be true to myself and this job it’s who I am, it makes me happy. You hate the system because it’s designed to punish people not care for them but that will never change unless people like me step up and make it change.
Officer Chen

Permalink: I know you’re disappointed in me but you and mom always taught me to be true to myself and...

I respected Lucy's father for wanting to do what was best for his patient because that's his job, but arresting the man was Lucy's job, and I wish her father could have respected that, even when he disagreed.

Bishop "testing" Lucy's resolve to write up the extra report about the man's mental illness was also a seminal moment.

Lucy tends to second guess herself, and Bishop pushed her to stand up for her belief that treating every situation with the care it deserved was worth her time and effort.

Finally, we get to the new Captain.

Jessica: Your wife called me. She said you were considering throwing the new Captain out a window.
Sgt. Grey: And you came to talk me out of it.
Jessica: Or open a window, whichever one seems more productive.

Permalink: Or open a window, whichever one seems more productive.

This Captain was a typical bureaucrat, interested in pushing papers and covering his ass and dealing with that was taking its toll on Sgt. Grey.

For a moment, I feared that Grey might consider putting in his papers for retirement, but I'm happy that doesn't appear to be the case.

But with this Captain gone, who will take his place?

Captain Anderson left some big shoes to fill, and anyone new will bring changes in their wake, although hopefully better ones than swiping officer's boots and making them ride mountain bikes on patrol.

Nolan, straight off surviving his first earthquake and then a shootout with the cartel, decompressed by getting cozy with Jessica on the beach.

I wondered if Nolan's bout of insecurity was due to Jessica only spending a few days in LA each month, making this more of a long distance relationship, but that wasn't it.