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 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!
Officer Nolan and officer Chen report to a structure fire and suspect that there is more to the situation than meets the eye. Meanwhile, after witnessing a sniper shooting, the team searches for the shooter and discovers that the perpetrator has a connection to one of their own.
The episode was rated 7.61 from 1029 votes.
When a new designer drug hits LA streets, it turns users into “zombies,” and Officer Nolan and the team have a Halloween they won’t soon forget. Back at home, Lucy questions whether her apartment building might be haunted.
The episode was rated 7.62 from 1045 votes.
Officer Nolan and the entire team race against the clock to locate Lopez after she is kidnapped on her wedding day, not only to save her life but her unborn child’s.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 1080 votes.
Sergeant Grey supports Officer Nolan’s desire to become a training officer and offers to ride with him for the day to get him ready. Meanwhile, Tim and Lucy must manage expectations in their respective relationships as they decide on their plans for Mother’s Day and a romantic vacation.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 940 votes.
After the robbery of a train filled with valuable auction items turns deadly, the team is called to investigate. Meanwhile, Officer Chen has doubts about being Sergeant Bradford’s aide and is upset when he doesn’t give her the recognition she deserves. Elsewhere, Officer Harper takes matters into her own hands and makes a life-changing decision about her personal life.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 943 votes.
The team goes on a city-wide hunt for an individual who is threatening a mass casualty event. Meanwhile, Tim’s sister Genny shows up unannounced with some surprising news, and Lopez continues her inner struggle over Wesley’s deal with Elijah and tries to come up with a plan to get them out of it.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 1008 votes.
Officers John Nolan and Lucy Chen must fulfill three quests if they want to get a stolen police helicopter back safely from a teenage thief. Meanwhile, Detective Nyla Harper and Officer Aaron Thorsen must guard a convicted cop killer in the hospital following a prison riot.
The episode was rated 7.65 from 939 votes.
The team must rely on a criminal for his expertise to help take down an even bigger threat. Meanwhile, Officers Chen and Bradford investigate the murder of an unhoused teenager who used to be friends with Tamara.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 1029 votes.
Officer Nolan and Officer Chen’s run-in with an infamous thief tips them off to a potentially big heist surrounding the Getty’s big gala event. Meanwhile, Nolan works up the courage to ask Bailey out on a date.
The episode was rated 7.68 from 1025 votes.
Officer Harper puts Officer Aaron through “Plain Clothes Day,” but the exercise is interrupted by an unsuspected visitor. After two witnesses for an upcoming grand jury case are murdered, the team must track down the killers before it’s too late.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 935 votes.
Officer Nolan and Officer Chen search for a missing person who may have international ties that puts everyone’s lives in danger. Meanwhile, Harper continues the search for a serial arsonist after responding to a report of an injured cyclist, and Wesley must overcome an impossible task.
The episode was rated 7.72 from 1050 votes.
Desperate to break free from his connection to Elijah, Wesley tries to plant a listening device in his office to incriminate him; Officer Bradford and his sister, Genny, learn an unsettling truth about their father.
The episode was rated 7.73 from 992 votes.
Now that John Nolan knows about Bailey’s past, he must decide if they still have a future. Meanwhile, when a plane crashes in the middle of the city the team races to find out why.
The episode was rated 7.74 from 1034 votes.
Officer Nolan and team are on a hunt to retrieve a buried stash of gold before any treasure seekers get hurt. Meanwhile, Bradford is tasked with encouraging the oldest cop at the station to retire and invites him to ride with him.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 1071 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 7.81 from 1040 votes.
