Over six seasons on ABC, The newbie persists because the audience connects well with the characters. The show is a police procedural that emphasizes the patrol officer experience, which is both dynamic and exciting. However, viewers continue to tune in not because of the car chases or gunfights, but because the show's characters are so compelling. One of those characters was rookie Katie Barnes, and what makes her so impressive is the fact that she only appeared in one episode.
While The newbie Fans are more interested in the series' regular and recurring characters, sometimes a lasting impression can be made in a single episode. Officer Chris Rios was one such character, a police academy friend of the main cast who was killed off later in the episode. Luckily for Katie Barnes, she didn't suffer the same fate. Her introduction was somewhat of a red herring for the audience, as she was introduced as Tim Bradford's new recruit, after Lucy Chen was promoted. For almost the entire episode, viewers expected to see Katy M. O'Brian reprise the role the following week. Instead, Katie Barnes resigns from the police force at the end of the episode, and is one of the The newbieThe best decisions of.
Who was Katie Barnes in The Rookie?
Tim Bradford's new boot was played by Katy M. O'Brian
In season three, Lucy Chen (Melissa O'Neil) went beyond rookie training, leaving Sergeant Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) without boots to bother. At least, not until training officer Katie Barnes was assigned as his new recruit in “New Blood.” Fans expected to see the stern antics Bradford used to train Chen. However, when Barnes showed off her familiarity with the police-issue shotgun, he recognized her as a U.S. Army veteran. Barnes served in the 82nd Airborne Division, breaching doors and securing positions during fighting.
Bradford's change of approach to training Barnes makes perfect sense, reinforcing his prowess in the job. In season two, it was revealed that he was also a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. His militant approach to Lucy is how Bradford turns civilians into cops. As a veteran himself, he has firsthand knowledge of the transition from soldier to peace officer. In addition to showcasing Bradford's prowess as a TO, this episode also conveyed an important message about the difference between the military and law enforcement..
Police are expected to be proactive. They don't wait for orders. They are no longer bound by military objectives. The actions they take are at their own discretion. And the people we meet on the street are not enemy combatants. They are our fellow citizens. — Bradford to Barnes.
Sometimes The newbie It's over the top, and this is one of those episodes. Barnes and Bradford get into a shootout on their first call, and an even more intense shootout follows at the end of his second, final shift. However, the violence serves to underscore that while Barnes can handle that part of the job, he doesn't want to. Barnes chooses to spend some time out of “survival mode,” and that means not being a cop.
The episode with Katie Barnes also featured Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen
The Rookie, Season 3, Episode 11, 'New Blood'
- Directed by Bill Roe
- Written by Corey Miller and Zoe Cheng
- Debuted: April 18, 2021
- IMDB users rated this episode 7.4/10
- Guest of Honor: Katy M. O'Brian
With Lucy no longer Tim's trainee, the wheels behind “Chenford” began to turn, but slowly. Katie Barnes was Tim's first recruit after Lucy, and the way this affected her highlighted her affection for him. Because of Bradford's different approach to training Barnes, she became jealous and a little angry. Bradford bought Barnes a coffee, let her drive their vehicle, and even comforted her after she shot a suspect. This comical subplot culminated in a scene where she confronted him.
When Bradford asks his former personal assistant why he is so nice to Barnes, he gives him sincere compliments. Bradford explains that Lucy is a person who sees “the good” in people and his approach was intended to make her more objective.. As a war veteran, Barnes needed a completely different approach. While it may seem like police work and military service should go hand in hand, they don’t for the reasons Bradford told her. He also tells Lucy that she’s a good officer.
Of course, two shootouts in as many rounds doesn't really help sell the “police aren't fighting” argument. While it would have been interesting if The newbie he had gone light on this episode, it was just narrative efficiency to highlight this specific part of the work. Especially since there are gunfights in almost every episode. While Barnes' choice is in no way a weakness or flaw, it contrasts with Chen's survival, buried alive, and choice to continue serving..
Katie Barnes is a rare example of television that captures military veterans in the right way
TV and movies often exploit harmful stereotypes about veterans
Katy M. O'Brian's Most Important Roles
Related
What happened to Tamara on The Rookie?
In seasons 3 and 4 of The Rookie, Lucy Chen's roommate Tamara Colins was a major part of the supporting cast, but is seen less in later seasons.
For decades, the portrayal of military war veterans in film and television has been widely problematic. Programs such as Homeland, True Blood, Bar and too many others portray war veterans as mentally wounded, violent, or both. Not all depictions indulge in these veteran tropes, as The History of Star Trekwho has treated these subjects with nuance, authenticity and sensitivity. The portrayal of Katie Barnes in The newbie shares these qualities, thanks in large part to O'Brian's performance. She makes subtle choices, like putting herself on “parade rest” when Bradford identifies her as a veterinarian.
It's no surprise that Barnes was so well conceived, since Bradford is a veteran and narrators write for him all the time. A notable scene in the episode is when he takes Barnes to the park for a zen break, during which he tries to make her understand that she is “safe.” Later, she tells him that it was her first real moment of peace in a long time and that her decision to leave the police force was because she wanted more of it.
You are still in a state of mind where everyone is either a friend or an enemy. My job is to help you change that mindset. These people are all your neighbors. — Bradford to Barnes.
What makes Barnes (and, by extension, Bradford) so rare is that, despite his frequent contact with the enemy overseas, he doesn’t suffer from it. War changes everyone it touches, but because television and film amplify reality, this is often portrayed as a wound or mental illness. What Barnes experiences is common for war veterans who are redeployed, and taking a job where you carry and use a gun would make it worse.But Barnes is doing well, and his decision to resign proves it.
What Happened To Katie Barnes After New Blood
Katy M. O'Brian Still Has Time to Return to The Rookie
Even though Katie Barnes has chosen to resign, Tim Bradford tries to encourage his recruit to stay. With his military experience and on-duty expertise, Bradford knows he can train her to be an excellent officer. He also believes he can help her transition back to civilian life, including in the context of police work. He tells her that her certification is good for three years, and if she returns, she will always have “a home” at Mid-Wilshire Division.
The chronology of The newbie It's unclear. Seasons 1 and 2 took place over the course of a year, but there have been a few time jumps since then. Likewise, the season length could be longer, because Agent Aaron Thorsen (Tru Valentino) wasn't as much of a rookie as the original cast. However, if O'Brian could return, Katie Barnes could return to work once again. However, the new Season 7 cast has added a brand new veteran cop who must join the LAPD as a rookie. So, a return of Barnes as a cop is unlikely.
If O'Brian reprised her role as Barnes, it would have been a better choice for her to find a more peaceful calling.This would allow The newbie to follow up on the character (which Bradford has promised to do), which is a good representation of a veteran just out of the service. That Katie Barnes returns to The newbie or not, viewers are left to imagine that he found many more of those moments of peace.
Seasons 1-6 of The Rookie are available to stream on Hulu, with season 7 set to debut on ABC in early 2025.