The Rookie is an American crime drama series, available on ABC, which first aired in 2018. The show follows the life of John Nolan, a small-town guy who is pursuing his dream of becoming an LAPD officer. After five seasons, there have been a variety of episodes that have been considered the worst episodes of The Rookie. In this article, the worst episodes of The Rookie will be ranked, based on a variety of criteria.
The rankings of the worst episodes of The Rookie will be determined by ratings from viewers, reviews from critics, and how the episode is remembered in the overall context of the series. This will allow for an objective comparison of the episodes, while taking into account the subjective opinion of viewers.
The episodes will be ranked from the worst to the least worst, with the worst episode of The Rookie discussed in detail. Additionally, the reasons why the episode was considered the worst will be discussed, as well as the impact it had on the rest of the series.
Written by Sophie and last updated on Nov 22, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
In The Choice, the episode of The Rookie, Rosalind returns with a vengeance and Bailey's life is left hanging in the balance. In order to save her, the LAPD and the FBI join forces, and Officer John Nolan is forced to make a deadly decision after a harrowing ultimatum. Unfortunately, the realism of the episode has been called into question with some viewers pointing out a notable goof in the episode, as well as the unrealistic choice of having law enforcement follow John into the parking garage. Furthermore, the “freeze” command used by law enforcement has been cited as a pet peeve, as it’s usually used to setup a chase scene. Despite this, viewers have praised Fillion's acting in his 'decision' scene. Despite some of the unrealistic elements of the episode, viewers have expressed their appreciation for many of the characters and have decided to stick with the show, though if the issues persist, they may look for something better with their time.
The episode was rated 7,79 from 1034 votes.
In the episode "Manhunt" of the show The Rookie, Officer Nolan must track down an escaped convict in the wake of a prison bus crash. As some inmates suffer from severe injuries, others take advantage of the situation to flee. Throughout the episode, Nolan attempts to impress an FBI hostage negotiator as he climbs the ranks of the police force. Jessica Russo, played by Sarah Shahi, is a recurring role in the show that viewers can look forward to seeing more from.
The episode is praised by viewers for its amazing cast and storylines. Nolan is often written as the rookie who does the best in every episode, which is no different in "Manhunt". In this episode, the hunt for escaped prisoners is on with all the drama stemming from not running over a coyote.
The episode was rated 7,80 from 1632 votes.
The episode Fire Fight of The Rookie was filled with excitement and intensity. Officer Nolan and Bailey investigate Fred's suspicious death and make a shocking discovery. Meanwhile, Officer Chen and Bradford challenge each other to a treasure hunt rematch and enlist Officer Grey to help set the terms of the bet. As they carry out a series of arrests, Wesley finds himself struggling to keep it together with the pressure of being in debt to Elijah.
The episode also had its humorous moments as the bad guy repeatedly misses his shots at Officer Nolan, despite being in close proximity. The Firefly reference with the harmonica was a nice touch as well. As for John, his poker face needs some work as he often gets caught by the bad guys.
The episode was rated 7,80 from 1120 votes.
In the latest episode of "The Rookie," Officer Nolan and Celina dive into a compelling special case that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As they navigate through the twists and turns of this intriguing investigation, viewers can expect unexpected revelations that will test their crime-solving skills.
Meanwhile, Monica seeks assistance to uncover the identities of those who targeted her, adding an emotional depth to the episode. The tension rises as she delves deeper into the mystery, creating a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead in her quest for justice.
As Lopez and Harper stumble upon a surprising connection to a series of crimes, the plot thickens, leaving fans eager to see how this revelation will unfold. With each character facing their own challenges and dilemmas, the episode promises to deliver a mix of suspense, drama, and unexpected turns that will keep viewers hooked from start to finish.
The episode was rated 7,81 from 705 votes.
The episode of The Rookie, titled "Lockdown," follows Officer Nolan as he is taken hostage by a desperate man. As the station goes into lockdown, the team races to identify the suspect before it's too late.
Meanwhile, Officer Jackson and his training officer Officer Doug Stanton hit a roadblock in their relationship that could cost Jackson his career in the department. The B story blends so seamlessly with the A story that it's almost indistinguishable.
The episode also offers a great performance from Brandon Routh, who is really improving as an actor. There is no typecasting for this guy as he works his role with finesse. The audience was surprised with Officer West's clever use of the bodycam to activate it and save the day. It was a great realization for Nolan to come to at the end of the episode, giving him a new direction for his career.
The episode was rated 7,82 from 1159 votes.
This episode of The Rookie was a solid one with great drama and suspense. Officer Bradford is determined to catch the man responsible for shooting his wife, Isabel, while Officer Nolan must protect his home and the truth after a home invasion attack. The technical issues that the show has been having with body cams were still present in this episode, but the fact that I'm even focusing on that issue shows how great this episode was. The stakes were high in both the major and minor plotlines, and I found myself caring about the episodic characters. Even the B-Plot was interesting, showing a theme of truth setting you free, but only Officer Nolan believes that. In the end, this episode did everything that MacGyver's episode did wrong, making it one of my top 5 of the season.
The episode was rated 7,83 from 1717 votes.
The episode Consequences of the show The Rookie sees Nolan facing his biggest challenge yet as a police officer. He must come to terms with the choices he has made in pursuit of the truth. The show managed to find a good balance between fitting the cliffhanger, addressing the issue of police brutality, and not overdoing it. Michael Beach's speech was a highlight and it all fit nicely into his IA role from previous seasons.
However, some of the characters' motives felt recycled. There was a trend in the show of making independent, badass careerist women babyobsessed or pregnant, which is becoming increasingly old and disappointing. Rosalind, however, was a highlight of the episode, and viewers were relieved when Nolan did not die.
The episode was rated 7,83 from 1223 votes.
In the episode "The Dark Side" of The Rookie, Officer Nolan and his team are tasked with escorting a notorious serial killer to the graves of her previously unrecovered victims. However, when they arrive, they find something even more unexpected. Officer Chen meets a seemingly perfect man who sparks her interest, and Officer Lopez worries about Wesley as his PTSD continues to increase.
The dark and dangerous nature of the episode is highlighted by the presence of the female serial killer, who has been cast in similar roles in three different shows. The suspenseful cliffhanger at the end of the episode reminded viewers of a similar one in Rookie Blue, where Gail Peck was kidnapped. It left viewers with a sense of uncertainty and worry, wondering if Lucy would be alright in the end. It's clear that the officers must now take steps to stop the serial killer, who enjoys killing without any rhyme or reason.
The episode was rated 7,83 from 1422 votes.
In the episode of The Rookie, entitled "Threshold," Officer Nolan gets hurt while chasing down a shoplifter and the local DA wants to charge the suspect with assault, despite Nolan's wishes. Meanwhile, Lucy goes undercover and Lopez's wedding venue is seized by the FBI. To top it off, Nolan meets his new neighbor. Though the ending of this episode was not what viewers had imagined, it was still good. However, some viewers felt that the ending was unrealistic, as it seemed that at a party full of cops, nobody could see anything. Despite this, the episode overall was well done, and viewers were left with a cliffhanger that no one can believe.
The episode was rated 7,90 from 1114 votes.
In the season finale of The Rookie, officers Nolan, Chen, and West face the ultimate test as their training officers evaluate their readiness for the job. Things take a turn for the worse when one of their rookie classmates is involved in a shooting and the team uncovers some unsettling evidence. It quickly becomes evident that Nolan has been warned about Armstrong, especially after Lucy was kidnapped. As the episode unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that being too good of a cop is a red flag. The audience can sense that something is awry and the episode leaves viewers on a cliffhanger as to what is to come.
Armstrong is a character viewers were just beginning to learn about and grow to like. It is a shock that he is revealed to be the cause of the unusual evidence the team finds. It is a twist that nobody saw coming, although the clues were all there from the beginning. As the season ends, the audience is left wondering what will happen with Armstrong and how it will affect the three rookies. The Rookie is sure to be back next season with more suspense and drama than ever.
The episode was rated 7,90 from 1335 votes.
Nolan's investigation into the suspected serial killer took a turn for the worse in the season finale of The Rookie. After finding out that the murder was connected to a highly secretive government organization, Nolan finds himself in a dangerous situation that could cost him his life and career. As the episode comes to a close, viewers are left with a cliffhanger that will leave them wanting more.
The episode was definitely a thrilling ride, leaving viewers with a nail-biting conclusion. However, some fans couldn't help but feel that the twist was a bit too predictable. Additionally, the sudden end to the season was met with much frustration from viewers, as they have to wait an entire year to find out how Nolan's story will unfold. Nevertheless, fans of the show can rest assured that The Rookie will return with more exciting and intense episodes in the future.
The episode was rated 7,90 from 1277 votes.
In the season finale of The Rookie, the rookies are preparing for a big exam to determine who will move on to the next stage of training. However, Officer Nolan and Officer Bishop are called to the scene of a murder, where they learn that the victim may be connected to a potential terrorist attack on Los Angeles. Through their investigation, they discover a virus and a potential vaccine that could make people immune. As they are trying to stop the attack, Officer Tim faints at the end of the episode, leaving fans wondering if he was affected by the virus or the vaccine. It has been an intense season and fans are left with a cliffhanger, eagerly awaiting the next season.
The episode was rated 7,93 from 1629 votes.
In the mid-season premiere of The Rookie, Officer Nolan and the rest of the team frantically search for Officer Chen after she is abducted. Officer Lopez discovers Wesley unconscious from mixing alcohol and pills, and she is forced to keep him nearby. This episode was solid, and it was great to see Officer Chen safe at the end. One thing that stood out was the lack of music and background noise, which added to the suspense and tension.
The problem with episodes like these, where a series regular is in peril, is that the audience knows that they can’t die. This lowered the tension in the episode, and it made it a bit predictable. However, it still served as an opportunity to further develop Officer Chen's character as she deals with the trauma of the event. All in all, it was an enjoyable episode that left viewers looking forward to the next episode.
The episode was rated 7,96 from 1400 votes.
In this episode of The Rookie, Officer Nolan learns a lesson in respect after he arrests a gang member, leading to a chaotic situation. Officer Chen and Officer Bradford are also forced to pull over Mario Lopez, who tries to talk his way out of a traffic violation. What makes this episode so compelling is how it weaves together dynamics of respect, power, and consequence.
The episode takes an unexpected turn when it is revealed that Captain Andersen has been killed off. This unexpected twist was heartbreaking for the viewers, and left them with a sense of frustration and confusion. The writers and actors of the show deserve recognition for their excellent job in creating a story that is both lighthearted and serious at the same time. It is this perfect balance of themes that makes The Rookie such an enjoyable show.
The episode was rated 8,09 from 1707 votes.
In the latest episode of The Rookie titled "Under Siege," the team faces a shocking turn of events when one of their own is shot. As they recover from this devastating blow, they soon realize that their division may be the target of a group of masked assailants. The intensity of this episode is off the charts, with viewers describing it as a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Fans are raving about "Under Siege," calling it the best episode of The Rookie to date. The writing by Alexi Hawley is praised for its brilliance and the way it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The episode is described as a peak television experience that builds up tension in multiple directions, never forgetting the ongoing storylines from the previous season. Just when you think it's reaching a conclusion, the episode takes a complete opposite turn, leaving viewers with a cliffhanger that both frustrates and intrigues.
The excitement and adrenaline-pumping action in this episode have left viewers in awe. Many have expressed their heart-pounding moments and minor heart attacks while watching. The script and characterizations are applauded for their quality, bringing back the show to its peak form. Fans are eagerly anticipating the next season and are relieved that a certain character, who some found annoying, did not make a final appearance. "Under Siege" has proven to be an unforgettable ride that has left viewers craving for more.
The episode was rated 8,12 from 927 votes.
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