Although it's a police procedural, The Rookie doesn't skimp when it comes to relationships. There are several opportunities for romance among the main cast, and the series often plays around with the actors' on-screen chemistry. In fact, the established and potential couples are one of the many reasons that viewers tune into the show.
With a lot of great couples, also comes a lot of bad ones. When a character gets with the wrong person, it inadvertently affects other potential romances in the series. There's a lot of buzz surrounding a few relationships, in particular, and viewers have made it clear which couples they love, and which ones they can't stand.
Lucy And Nolan
It's still a bit puzzling what the series was trying to accomplish with this romance. They were set up as a couple to root for, but viewers couldn't wait for their relationship to end. Nolan is almost twenty years older than Lucy and the lack of chemistry between them made their scenes cringe-worthy. It seems as though the show has realized their mistake, as there's been no mention of their previous fling since they broke up in the first season. Now, Nolan treats Lucy more like a little sister, making the fact that they dated particularly awkward.
Nolan And Grace
From the moment Grace entered the picture, it was clear that she was going to be romantically involved with Nolan, even though he had a girlfriend at the time. Nolan and Grace did date in college, but they should have left the past in the past. Grace's life was already complicated by her shaky relationship with her ex-husband and kids, and it was surprising that Grace and Nolan worked for the short amount of time they did.
Tim And Rachel
There's nothing wrong with Tim and Rachel, but there's also nothing right about them. They're not a couple anyone cares enough about to get invested in. Rachel disappears for episodes on end, and many fans forget that they're even together.
Their scenes aren't bad as much as they're boring. The moments they share are usually a waste of screentime that could be better utilized elsewhere. Rachel feels like a placeholder for another love interest, and it's obvious that there are no actual sparks between them.
Lucy And Emmet
Although their romance was short-lived, Lucy and Emmett had some cute moments. It hasn't been confirmed, but it appears that the two are no longer together since he hasn't been mentioned in season 3 of The Rookie. They could be written off as a fling, regardless, as Lucy and Emmett never called things official. Emmett was a compassionate character who treated Lucy well, but they wouldn't have worked in the long run. Lucy needs someone who challenges her and pushes her to be better, and that's not who Emmett is.
Jackson And Sterling
Jackson and Sterling were beloved by fans until it was revealed that Sterling wasn't who he said he was. Not only did he lie about his name and where he was from, but he assisted a child actor turned cult-leader in a robbery. Sterling claimed that his feelings for Jackson were real, but the trust between them was broken and Jackson ended the relationship. It was the right call on Jackson's part, but it's hard not to mourn what the two of them could have had.
Henry And Abigail
They only appear in the series once in a while, but the relationship between Nolan's 20-year-old son and his fiancée is one that everyone strives for. The characters are young, making Nolan uneasy about their relationship, but even he came around.
They bring a lot of light and happiness to every scene they're in and the other characters are even wistful of what the two of them share. The episodes that feature Henry and Abigail always turn out to be phenomenal.
Nolan And Jessica
Most fans agree that Jessica was Nolan's best match. There was something about them that felt natural and they kept viewers on their toes. The rest of Nolan's relationships were dull and unexciting, but the show finally stumbled onto something with Jessica. Their breakup was saddening, especially because there was no love lost between them. Jessica was running out of time to try for a baby and Nolan wasn't sure if he ever wanted to have kids again. Their plans for the future didn't align, but their personalities did.
Grey And Luna
Grey and Luna are always in the background providing a grounding force. Their romance isn't emphasized too heavily, as Luna is just a natural part of his life. Viewers don't get glimpses of them often, but when they do, it's a nice reminder of what a loving and equal relationship is supposed to look like. Luna supports Grey no matter what he decides, and she encourages him to stay in the LAPD until he fulfills his promise to himself and helps make real change.
Angela And Wesley
Angela and Wesley weren't love at first sight, which makes them so unique to the other couples in the show. They have completely different viewpoints and very rarely find something they agree on. They shouldn't work, but they do. Angela and Wesley's relationship never gets boring, as they both enjoy firing each other up as much as they love calming each other down. The love they have is rare, and despite their differences, they're constantly on each other's team. Angela and Wesley's wedding is an event that viewers have been looking forward to since they got engaged in the show's second season.
Tim And Lucy
Despite not being an official couple yet, Tim and Lucy are the fan-favorite romance by a landslide. Their obvious feelings for each other was an unexpected development that the series didn't originally plan. Tim is Lucy's training officer and he's known for being harsh and closed off. However, Lucy managed to weasel her way into Tim's heart by caring for him in a way no other rookie had before. The training officer/rookie dynamic prevents them from acknowledging what's been growing between them, but viewers have become fond of the slow burn, and are willing to wait until they're on more equal ground.