Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from The Rookie season 7, episode 12, "April Fools."

After a string of chaotic, significantly impactful episodes, The Rookie season 7 lets loose (literally) with "April Fools," and it has its pros and cons. Season 7 of the ABC police procedural series is back to its typical larger episode count after a condensed season 6, meaning there is room for filler and various storylines that begin and end within an hour, like in episode 12. The Rookie certainly thrives on its lighter moments (well, its version of fun, like an April Fools' Day purge). While episode 12 is no exception, that doesn't mean it doesn't contain any flaws.

The Rookie season 7 will contain 18 episodes, eight more than season 6, which was shortened due to production delays related to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

Following the bus hostage situation and the return of Monica in The Rookie season 7, episode 11, episode 12 opens with Tim and Lucy taking a hall that allows them to forego their previous breakup for one day. Elsewhere in the hour, the police deal with April Fools' Day pranks gone wrong throughout the city. Grey also assigns Nolan a new rookie after Celina's graduation, which Nathan Fillion's character believes to be a joke in light of the holiday (but he couldn't be more wrong), and Lopez, Harper, and Wesley discover a dirty cop.

The Rookie Season 7, Episode 12's Action Is The Best Yet

"April Fools" Takes Full Advantage Of The Holiday To Create Tense Action Sequences

Some of the best moments of The Rookie season 7, episode 12 are its action moments. Tim, Lucy, and Celina's takedown of the purge activity in the office building is a highlight. However, almost every scene concerning the horrifying prank induced by the begrudging social media intern, no matter how brief, is well done. The sequences are thrilling, induce fear just like the actual Purge movies, and are a great way to "celebrate" April Fools' Day The Rookie-style.

Perhaps some (or a lot of) scenes in The Rookie episode are unbelievable, but they are still entertaining. Whether it's Nolan and his new rookie, Connor, facing off against a group of criminals in terrifying masks infiltrating a crime scene, Tim, Lucy, and Celina fighting those partaking in the purge, or Lopez and Harper stopping the dirty cop from escaping, no one can say that "April Fools" isn't exciting. In the end, everything that transpires in The Rookie season 7, episode 12 might feel like one big prank. Still, it's one worth experiencing.

"April Fools" Is A Filler Episode Through & Through (But That's Mostly A Good Thing)

TV Needs More Filler Episodes

Yes, The Rookie season 7, episode 12 isn't as consequential as some that came before, but that's okay. TV needs to return to the days of 20-plus episode seasons that contain a handful of filler (and holiday) hours. Not everything has to drive the plot forward. Instead, some TV show episodes can just sit in the fictional world with its characters and enjoy it, like "April Fools."

Nevertheless, some stories in The Rookie season 7, episode 12 didn't have to end within the hour, like Nolan's. Grey assigns Nolan a new rookie in "April Fools," and he can't help but feel like he's being punked. Connor, who supposedly spent most of his rookie year with one of the LAPD's most renowned training officers, can barely handle giving someone a ticket. Nolan later learns the famous training officer doesn't want to end his career with someone with "no instincts." So, he sticks him with Nolan.

Fillion's The Rookie season 7 character refuses to give up on Connor, though, giving the younger man until the end of the day to prove himself worthy of being a police officer. Ultimately, Connor learns a lot from Nolan and handles himself well during the purge. As a result, he stays in the rookie program.

Connor's abrupt exit simply doesn't make much sense, especially because The Rookie does a great job developing his character and relationship with Nolan in "April Fools."

For some reason, though, Grey reassigns Connor to a "much quieter" division. The lieutenant explains that he does so to give him the best opportunity to succeed, but Connor seems to be doing just fine under Nolan's wing. Connor's abrupt exit simply doesn't make much sense, especially because The Rookie does a great job developing his character and relationship with Nolan in "April Fools."

Tim & Lucy's Temporary Reconciliation Doesn't Make Much Sense

Their Hook-Up Is Frustratingly Inconsequential

Another nonsensical aspect of The Rookie season 7, episode 12 is Tim and Lucy's random hook-up. Out of the blue, Lucy shows up on Tim's doorstep at the beginning of the hour. She explains how she wants to partake in a one-day hall that allows them to be together because it's April Fools' Day.

Sure, it's great for "Chenford" shippers. However, the former couple's temporary reunion is illogical and only hurts their development in season 7. Tim and Lucy don't even discuss the state of their relationship or their past problems. Instead, they giggle and make out in hidden rooms, which frustratingly won't even impact Tim and Lucy's relationship in season 7.

New episodes of The Rookie season 7 air Tuesdays at 9pm ET on ABC.