Nathan Fillion Teases ‘Complications’ for Nolan and Bailey in Season 7 (Exclusive)

(Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for The rookie Season 7 premiere “The Shot.”)

To describe John Nolan in one word, he’s “frustrated,” says Nathan Fillion, to see his wife Bailey’s (Jenna Dewan) sociopathic ex-husband, Jason (Steve Kazee), still free at the end of The rookie Season 7 premiere.

But the episode begins with Nolan thinking they’ll get him, only for Jason to not be where they attack. “The stakes are very high. Jason is nothing if not persistent. He is psychotically persistent and he has targeted the love of Nolan’s life,” Fillion notes in the beginning of Reserved: The Rookie After-Show. (Watch the full video above.)

“So the stakes are very high and when he thinks he’s going to be able to do something, of course it makes him feel like he’s taking care of the people he loves. But when that doesn’t happen, it “It’s a hanging ending, and John can’t accept that,” he continues.

Bailey has been deployed in the National Guard and, although that is expected to end soon, her stay has been extended so she will be safe outside the country. But as Fillion is quick to point out: “Bailey is not a damsel in distress. She is a woman who knows how to take care of herself. This kills John, of course, even though her job involves running straight toward danger, as hers does — and you could arguably argue that she has more experience with the military, too.

The good news is that this isn’t going to put a strain on their relationship. “They are still strong for the future,” promises Fillion. “There are going to be complications, there are going to be things that are problematic in their relationship as in all relationships. I think that’s the reality. But I don’t think it’s something that drives a wedge between them. I think it’s something that brings them together. But it’s also something they need to keep in mind when it comes to future conversations about adoption.

The premiere also featured something Fillion has offered for many years: Nolan commandeering a scooter to pursue a suspect (which pays off!). It’s such Beginner move.

“I was a little surprised to see how fast they are going,” admits the star. “I wasn’t really prepared for that. I wasn’t wearing a helmet. I tend not to get into a vehicle that requires balance, A, without a helmet and B, at a speed faster than I’m comfortable falling out of. And we were doing a nice little stunt there where I ran into a young lady, knocking her over on this scooter. It sounds easy, but you’re trying not to actually hurt someone and you’re trying not to actually get hurt at the same time. But it was nice to finally be able to do it. I’m telling you, I’ve been offering this one for ages.

Watch the full interview above as Fillion breaks down the premiere (including the shot at the end), teases what’s in store for Nolan and Bailey, his dynamic with Celina (Lisseth Chavez) as she progresses in her training, and more.

The rookieTuesdays, 10/9c, ABC