The Rookie will be closing out its race for District Attorney, but one star is warning it may not end well for everyone!
Caution: This article contains SPOILERS for The Rookie season 8
A recurring subplot in The Rookie season 8 has Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) running for Los Angeles District Attorney. While at first reluctant to take on the job, Wesley now hopes he can win and effect real changes in the office.
Speaking to US Magazine, Ashmore discussed how the March 23 episode touched on the first half of the final run for DA and how the March 30 episode will be “a very interesting conclusion to the story." I will say that. Whether he wins or loses, it’s gonna be a challenge for him.”
Wesley has been facing former colleague ADA Vivian Eckert (Necar Zadegan), who was put out by Wesley joining the race. She’s been fighting a bit dirty against both Wesley and his wife, Detective Angela Lopez (Alyssa Diaz).
The latest episode had Vivian arranging a public confrontation by Wesley’s former client turned foe, crime boss Elijah Stone (Brandy Jay McLaren), who claimed that Wesley had cheated on Angela with their recurring criminal attorney enemy Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan). Wesley and Monica had a chat, which revealed Monica was hurt by Wesley cheating on her when they were together.
Monica came through with a video denying the affair and blaming Vivian for the story. Meanwhile, Angela was tempted to use information given by an AI (long story) that could ruin Vivian but decided to take the high road.
That promises some dramatic turns for the election itself that will change the characters!
Ashmore told US that Wesley tends to have a “hero complex” yet is always trying to help the city. He hinted that the election’s end "is not super clean” and that Wesley and Angela will “hold each other accountable about doing the right thing and trying to fight the good fight.”
“Whether he wins or loses, he’s going to have to deal with the repercussions of that,” Ashmore added. “Whether it’s putting his family in a tough position or dealing with the disappointment, you know, depending on what happens. It’s a tough spot and an interesting spot, either way.”
It won’t just be Wesley affected, as obviously if she’s married to the DA, Angela will be put under a major spotlight, which includes being accused of possibly colluding with her husband to go after criminals. It's also likely to occasionally set her against her fellow cops if they don't like what the DA's office is doing on a case.
“She’s going to be under scrutiny. And I don’t think that was something that she particularly wanted. There’s also, like conflict of interest that could affect her relationships with her colleagues. Putting herself and her family out there is something that makes her very uncomfortable, and the issues that arise from her colleagues aren't really the ideal situation.”
The way both actors speak hints that Wesley will win and become the DA. That’s sure to be a massive shift for him and other characters, yet win or lose, there will be challenges ahead that will change The Rookie for a long time to come.
The Rookie season 8 airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.