Warning: Spoilers ahead for Bad Monkey season 1, episode 10, “We’re in the Memory-Making Business.”With Bad Monkey season 1 now over, a potential second season has an issue to fix with Rosa after her final appearance in the inaugural run of Apple TV+’s dark dramedy. Natalie Martinez’s part in the Bad Monkey season 1 cast was vital, as she played pretty much the only character who stood by Vince Vaughn’s Andrew Yancy throughout the story. Unfortunately, Bad Monkey season 1’s ending creates a difficult obstacle for her eventual comeback should the show be picked up for a second run of episodes.

Despite being only partially set in the Sunshine State, Bad Monkey season 1 was shot entirely in Florida – even the scenes that took place in the Bahamas. Like Yancy, Martinez’s Rosa Campeseno went international when the story took her between the US and Andros Island. Although Bad Monkey season 2 hasn’t yet been confirmed, the success of showrunner Bill Lawrence’s other Apple TV+ shows, like Shrinking and Ted Lasso, suggests it may only be a matter of time. If so, the Bad Monkey source material by Carl Hiaasen will likely make Rosa surplus to requirements.

Rosa’s Ultimatum To Yancy Should Have Stood In Bad Monkey Season 1’s Finale

Natalie Martinez’s character forgave Yancy much too soon

At the end of Bad Monkey season 1, episode 9, “You Don’t Want to Kill This Scrumptious Little Puppy,” Rosa threatens to end her relationship with Yancy if he doesn’t follow her onto the plane and away from Andros. Ever the obsessive detective, Vaughn’s character opts to stay behind and finish the mission. The moment holds a lot of weight, as both characters have been strongly teased to have had tumultuous love lives, but have sound solace in each other’s arms. Annoyingly, the finale immediately has Rosa forgive Yancy for blowing her off.

The finale, “We’re in the Memory-Making Business,” shows Rosa and Yancy reconciling over the phone, which later leads to an offscreen carnal reunion. Rosa’s exit could have been a landmark moment that stood as a huge consequence of Yancy’s decision. Instead, Rosa’s dramatic ultimatum is very quickly rendered inert. If the two had actually parted ways at the end of Bad Monkey‘s season 1’s penultimate episode, their future together would have been much less certain, making the wait for season 2 even more brilliantly painstaking.

Rosa’s Absence From Bad Monkey’s Season 1 Finale Would Have Made Her Next Return More Effective

Rosa probably won’t be a part of Bad Monkey season 2

The mass character exit in Bad Monkey season 1 initially seemed like the Apple TV+ show had no plans to return and was wrapping things up. However, Rosa being among those who leave at the end of “We’re in the Memory-Making Business” only makes it more likely that season 2 will be an adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s 2016 novel, Razor Girl. The book is the only other story penned by the author to feature Yancy, with 2013’s Bad Monkey being the first. Despite technically being a sequel, Razor Girl doesn’t revisit many characters from Bad Monkey.

So, Rosa will likely be absent from season 2, but her not being there could have been more effective if the last time she was seen was angrily leaving Yancy behind in season 1’s penultimate episode.

So, Rosa will likely be absent from season 2, but her not being there could have been more effective if the last time she was seen was angrily leaving Yancy behind in season 1’s penultimate episode. Speaking with Decider, showrunner Bill Lawrence has confirmed he has a “three-season arc” in mind – despite the absence of a third Hiaasen book to adapt. Shortage of source material aside, what’s exciting is the return of Natalie Martinez’s eventual return in Bad Monkey season 3. Annoyingly, knowing she parted ways with Yancy on good terms will still reduce the impact of her comeback.

Why Bonnie Should Return As Yancy’s Love Interest (Not Rosa) In Bad Monkey Season 2

It’s far too soon for Rosa to end up with Yancy

Bad Monkey season 1 ends with a strong tease of Yancy immediately embarking on another case. So, if and when Bad Monkey season 2 happens, it will probably pick up right where the season 1 finale ended. The lack of a time jump means Rosa will barely have left Yancy’s place, so it would be silly to reunite them after her declaring she had some soul-searching to do. Alternatively, Bad Monkey‘s return should reinstall Bonnie as Yancy’s love interest. The pair have great chemistry, and it’s clear from their phone call in the finale that Bonnie wants him back.

It’s obvious that Rosa is Yancy’s happy ending, so it makes sense that she can’t settle down with Vaughn’s character just yet – especially with Lawrence’s plan only one-third of the way to completion. By making Yancy and Bonnie hook up again, the show can create an excellent will they/won’t they dynamic between Yancy and Rosa. Although this storytelling trope is often reserved for sitcoms, Lawrence’s time as the Scrubs showrunner means he’s probably not afraid to break convention for Bad Monkey.

Source: Decider