The Best Episodes of The Rookie Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.5/10(274 votes)

   #1 - Pilot

   S1:E110/16/2018

   Starting over isn't easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being a police officer. As the force's oldest rookie, he’s met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis. Throw in a workplace romance, a hostage situation, and some tough love from their new training officers, and the latest Los Angeles police rookie class has an uphill battle ahead of them.

   Director:Liz Friedlander

   Writer:Alexi Hawley

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   Director:Liz Friedlander

   Writer:Alexi Hawley
2. 

   7.8/10(79 votes)

   #2 - Crash Course

   S1:E210/23/2018

   Talia forces Nolan to confront his personal moral instincts in order to be a good cop after he encounters a kidnapping victim. Lucy is temporarily placed with a new training officer who tests her patience. Jackson must confront his failures head-on if he wants to be an officer.

   Director:Adam Davidson

   Writer:Alexi Hawley

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   Director:Adam Davidson

   Writer:Alexi Hawley
3. 

   7.7/10(54 votes)

   #3 - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

   S1:E310/30/2018

   After Nolan and Talia lose control of a crime scene, they begin to debate whether people are fundamentally good or bad and what that means for a police officer. Lucy is concerned Tim is enabling his wife’s destructive behavior and not taking care of himself.

   Director:Greg Beeman

   Writers:Liz Alper, Ally Seibert

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   Director:Greg Beeman

   Writers:Liz Alper, Ally Seibert
4. 

   7.5/10(51 votes)

   #4 - The Switch

   S1:E411/13/2018

   The rookies are temporarily paired with new training officers, and Nolan is paired with Lopez. When Nolan and Lopez track down an escaped criminal, they discover a little kindness goes a long way. Jackson is forced to face his fears when he is partnered with Officer Bradford. Chen and Nolan must face a hard truth.

   Director:Toa Fraser

   Writer:Vincent Angell

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   Director:Toa Fraser

   Writer:Vincent Angell
5. 

   7.6/10(50 votes)

   #5 - The Roundup

   S1:E511/20/2018

   Nolan, the rookies and their training officers get involved in a competition that pits them against each other. Chen notices Bradford is obsessed with winning at all costs.

   Director:Nelson McCormick

   Writer:Elizabeth Davis Beall

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   Director:Nelson McCormick

   Writer:Elizabeth Davis Beall
6. 

   8.2/10(43 votes)

   #6 - The Hawke

   S1:E611/27/2018

   Nolan and the team must help capture a cop and his former mentor from the academy after he becomes a fugitive following an assault. Bradford needs Chen to learn to predict the moves of criminals in order to capture them.

   Director:Timothy Busfield

   Writer:Fredrick Kotto

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   Director:Timothy Busfield

   Writer:Fredrick Kotto
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7. 

   8.0/10(33 votes)

   #7 - The Ride Along

   S1:E712/4/2018

   Grey informs Nolan and Bishop that they are going to have a movie director as a ride-along during their patrol after a fun afternoon granting the wish of a Make-a-Wish kid as an honorary police officer. Bradford is tested once again after he learns that his wife has been arrested for drug possession.

   Director:Cherie Nowlan

   Writer:Robert Bella

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   Director:Cherie Nowlan

   Writer:Robert Bella
8. 

   8.4/10(37 votes)

   #8 - Time of Death

   S1:E812/11/2018

   Nolan and Bishop respond to a silent alarm call at a local convenience store where two men are attempting to rob the place. Bishop helps coordinate a drug bust that hits a little too close to home for Bradford.

   Director:Michael Goi

   Writer:Brynn Malone

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   Director:Michael Goi

   Writer:Brynn Malone
9. 

   8.6/10(35 votes)

   #9 - Standoff

   S1:E91/8/2019

   Officer Bradford’s wife, Isabel, is found shot but alive and he vows to track down the man responsible. Meanwhile, Officer Nolan must protect his home and the truth after a home invasion attack.

   Director:John Terlesky

   Writer:Alexi Hawley

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   Director:John Terlesky

   Writer:Alexi Hawley
10. 

    8.1/10(33 votes)

    #10 - Flesh and Blood

    S1:E101/15/2019

    On Captain Andersen’s orders, Officer Nolan and Sergeant Grey are paired up for the day on patrol. Additionally, Nolan’s son and Grey’s daughter visit their dads on the job and see them in action. Meanwhile, Officer Chen is paired up with Captain Andersen, and Officer Bradford tells Chen to protect her at all costs.

    Director:Jessica Yu

    Writer:Inda Craig-Galván

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    Director:Jessica Yu

    Writer:Inda Craig-Galván
11. 

    7.7/10(34 votes)

    #11 - Redwood

    S1:E111/22/2019

    An unscheduled visit by the vice president of the United States puts the station on high alert. The secret service tasks Officer Nolan and Officer Bishop with checking out a possible threat to the vice president while the rest of the team try to keep the streets clear and safe for his visit.

    Director:Sylvain White

    Writers:Liz Alper, Ally Seibert

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    Director:Sylvain White

    Writers:Liz Alper, Ally Seibert
12. 

    7.3/10(35 votes)