The Rookie

10 Best Episodes of The Rookie - Season 2

The Rookie is an American crime drama television series airing on ABC. The show follows John Nolan, a small-town guy who pursues his dream of becoming an LAPD officer after a life-altering incident. The show has been running since 2018 and is currently in its fifth season. There have been a lot of great episodes over the past five seasons. To help narrow down the selection, here are some of the best episodes of The Rookie ranked.

The show really kicks off with the pilot episode, where John Nolan sets out to pursue his dream of becoming an LAPD officer. The show does a great job of introducing the characters and setting up the premise. It's a great introduction to the show and the character of John Nolan.

Another great episode was the season one finale, "Free Fall". This episode was a great way to wrap up the first season, as it included intense action and a great cliffhanger that left viewers wanting more. It also provided a great wrap-up to the arc that had been building throughout the first season.

Written by Sophie and last updated on apr 26, 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!

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The Rookie - S2E15

#15 - Hand-Off (Season 2 - Episode 15)

Officer Nolan is having a particularly bad day after learning his identity has been stolen and could jeopardize his position as an officer. Meanwhile, Sgt. Grey must confront his past and testify at the parole hearing of the man who shot Grey and murdered his partner.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 1261 votes.

The Rookie - S2E2

#14 - The Night General (Season 2 - Episode 2)

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Nolan teams up with new night detective Nick Armstrong for a murder investigation case that results in an unexpected reunion with a former love interest. Officer Bradford reluctantly accepts help from Officer Chen as he prepares for his sergeant exam, and Officer West pursues an unconventional move after finding himself in need of a new home.

The episode was rated 7.72 from 1503 votes.

The Rookie - S2E6

#13 - Fallout (Season 2 - Episode 6)

An emergency alert of an impending missile attack sends Los Angeles into chaos and uncertainty, while the officers each try to keep the peace and deal with their own disasters.

The episode was rated 7.73 from 1402 votes.

The Rookie - S2E16

#12 - The Overnight (Season 2 - Episode 16)

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Officers Chen and Bradford respond to a call at the Los Angeles auditions of “American Idol,” and Officer Chen ends up facing Ryan Seacrest and the judges. Meanwhile, Chen befriends a reporter whose motives are not clear.

The episode was rated 7.73 from 1218 votes.

The Rookie - S2E3

#11 - The Bet (Season 2 - Episode 3)

Officer Nolan navigates building tension in his relationship with Jessica and a developing rapport with Grace while working a high-stakes criminal case involving an undercover homeland security agent. Meanwhile, Officer Chen meddles with Officer Bradford’s love life, and Officer Lopez learns some surprising news about Wesley.

The episode was rated 7.74 from 1480 votes.

The Rookie - S2E12

#10 - Now and Then (Season 2 - Episode 12)

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Nolan takes his son’s fiancé, Abigail, on a ride-along after she shows interest in becoming a police officer. Meanwhile, Jackson’s relationship is becoming complicated at work.

The episode was rated 7.75 from 1322 votes.

The Rookie - S2E4

#9 - Warriors and Guardians (Season 2 - Episode 4)

Officer Nolan gets off to a rocky start after being introduced to his new training officer, Nyla Harper, who has an unconventional approach to police work after her stint as an undercover detective. Meanwhile, Officer Bradford struggles to think of an appropriate birthday gift for Rachel, and Officer Lopez finds herself navigating a case that triggers a personal memory.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 1423 votes.

The Rookie - S2E1

#8 - Impact (Season 2 - Episode 1)

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The season premiere of The Rookie, titled "Impact," was packed with drama and suspense as Officer Bradford fought for his life after a planned attack on Los Angeles. The episode also revealed the test scores of the main characters, which were listed in the same order that John, Lucy, and Jackson were seated. This was a slight surprise to viewers, as it was unexpected for the show not to mix up the order.

Another key focus of the episode was the sexual harassment that Talia faced from a guest star. Despite the fact that Talia is a main character and the perpetrator was a one-off character, the show failed to take her allegations seriously. This ultimately led to Talia's departure from the show, which left a noticeable hole in the balance of the show. This was an unfortunate decision, as Talia was a beloved character and her experiences should have been taken more seriously.

The episode was rated 7.77 from 1574 votes.

The Rookie - S2E18

#7 - Under the Gun (Season 2 - Episode 18)

The episode Under the Gun of the show The Rookie had an uneven tone and the writing was a complete mess. Officers Nolan and Harper are tasked with escorting four juvenile offenders to a Scared Straight program at a correctional facility that quickly becomes a riotous situation. Meanwhile, Nolan is uncertain about his relationship with Grace after she fails to introduce him to her ex-husband. The riot plot was hilariously convenient and absurd in how it was playing out. The algorithm plot was also garbage and the writers tried to cram too many storylines into a single episode. Tim's girlfriend calling the shots too soon was very obvious and Nolan and Grace's relationship was out of the blue and boring. It was not the best balance between cop-life and personal-life and viewers were not interested in any of the storylines. This episode was not engaging and was the least favorite of the season for many viewers.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 1219 votes.

The Rookie - S2E8

#6 - Clean Cut (Season 2 - Episode 8)

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Officer Nolan kicks off his birthday by babysitting a crime scene at a law office in the episode Clean Cut of the show The Rookie. Meanwhile, Officer Bradford and Officer West are set to receive special awards, and Sgt. Grey rides patrol with Officer Harper after she requests an early annual evaluation. This episode is one of the lighter episodes of the show, and every storyline was well served. It is also interesting to note that the cast is really expanding this season, introducing characters such as Alan Tudyuk and Sara Rue. While there were some unfortunate ad placements, viewers were also treated to a little Firefly reunion. All in all, Clean Cut was a delightful and well-rounded episode of The Rookie.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 1331 votes.

The Rookie - S2E17

#5 - Control (Season 2 - Episode 17)

Officer Nolan's relationship with his first confidential informant is tested when he discovers her back on the street dealing drugs in the episode, Control. Meanwhile, Lucy's fear of dating following her abduction, and her intrusion into Jackson's relationship threatens their friendship. This episode was on par with the fourteenth episode, where patrol officers go up against ex-military soldiers, in terms of excitement and stakes. Though the plotline regarding Lucy, Jackson and Sterling didn't feel as engaging as the rest, it was still an important plot point that continued to move forward. Furthermore, the plotline involving a little girl teaching Chen how to stop the bleeding was a sweet moment for viewers to enjoy.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 1196 votes.

The Rookie - S2E10

#4 - The Dark Side (Season 2 - Episode 10)

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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 7.85 from 1343 votes.

The Rookie - S2E19

#3 - The Q Word (1) (Season 2 - Episode 19)

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 7.91 from 1262 votes.

The Rookie - S2E20

#2 - The Hunt (2) (Season 2 - Episode 20)

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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 7.91 from 1198 votes.

The Rookie - S2E11

#1 - Day of Death (Season 2 - Episode 11)

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 1318 votes.

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