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Alexi Hawley created the American police procedural TV series The Rookie. The story focuses on 40-year-old John Nolan, who joins the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) as its oldest rookie. The series is also based on William Norcross, a real LAPD officer who joined the force in his mid-40s after moving to Los Angeles in 2015.
The Rookie has delivered many exciting and emotional episodes across its seasons. From intense rescues to personal betrayals, the show has kept fans hooked. The top 10 episodes on this list are known for their tension, character growth, storytelling, and unforgettable moments that capture The Rookie's spirit.
Disclaimer: This article is based solely on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised. Let us know in the comments which other episodes should have made the list.
The list of the 10 Best episodes from Rookie (ranked) is given below:
10. Clean Cut (S2 E8)
In this episode, Rookie fans see Officer Nolan working on his birthday, guarding a crime scene at a law office. He waits through the night and meets Ellroy, a crime scene cleaner. They uncover evidence and survive a shootout when the killers return. Meanwhile, Bradford crashes into another car, fearing for his job until Chen finds out the other driver is part of a scam ring. Officer West is exposed to powder and nearly goes to the hospital but ends up fine. Nolan manages the scene and celebrates with colleagues at a mall food court.
This episode ranks last on the list because of its low-stakes story, disconnected subplots, and shallow emotional impact. It lacks the character development, suspense, and meaningful themes that set other episodes of The Rookie apart, even though it is still quite enjoyable.
9. Manhunt (S1 E15)
In S1 E15 of The Rookie, a prison transport bus crashes, allowing dangerous inmates to escape into the city. Officers Nolan, Bishop, West, and others race through Los Angeles to locate them. Nolan tends to a wounded deputy and hears his final message. He also meets author and negotiator Jessica Russo, whom he impresses with his empathy. Meanwhile, West and Lopez encounter a prisoner who knows West's father, which raises suspicions about Commander West. Bishop remains calm under pressure and single-handedly corners a hostage taker.
This episode slightly differs from S2 E8 and ranks ninth because it features intense action, emotional depth, and moral reflection. Each rookie demonstrates courage, leadership, and teamwork under pressure. It shows why Nolan’s life experience is important on the street.
8. Time of Death (S1 E8)
Time of Death is a tense fall finale in The Rookie. Nolan and Bishop respond to a store heist. Nolan chases and shoots a suspect in self-defense, leading to a homicide investigation. Bradford’s wife goes undercover and gets kidnapped, raising stakes. Nolan is haunted by guilt and questions his career. At home, Lucy comforts him, and they reconnect emotionally. As credits roll, Nolan is attacked with a bat.
This episode stands out in The Rookie for its realism, emotional depth, moral complexity, and suspense. It challenges Nolan and helps him grow as a character.
7. The Q Word (S2 E19)
In The Q Word, the rookie year's end is near. A classmate, Chris, is shot during a chase. Nolan, Chen, West, and Harper rush to find the killer. They realize Erin, their fellow rookie, failed to activate her body camera. Nolan finds Erin at the Rose Bowl and talks to her, but she is shot by Nick Armstrong. Meanwhile, Bradford and Chen raid a family linked to the Derians, uncovering a corrupt LAPD officer. Nolan reviews the body camera footage and concludes that Armstrong is the mole helping the crime family.
This episode from The Rookie creates intense tension, emotional stakes, and a clever twist. It’s one of the best in The Rookie because it challenges the rookies, explores trust and betrayal, and sets up a major reveal.
6. The Hunt (S2 E20)
In the episode The Hunt of the Rookie, Nolan lands a shock in an end-of-season finale. He finds body-cam footage suggesting Officer Nick Armstrong may be a spy. They trace burner phones to an abandoned house with Harper. Nolan then fights Armstrong, who admits to being involved with the Derian crime family after struggling to pay his wife's medical bills. Armstrong tried to set Nolan up by planting evidence at his house. Nolan searches Armstrong's residence, leading to a tense shootout.
This episode of The Rookie stands out for its mystery, betrayal, and emotional depth. Nolan's bravery and loyalty are especially commendable because he risks his career to uncover a traitor.
5. The Dark Side (S2 E10)
The dramatic final episode of The Rookie is set in the fall. When Nolan and his colleagues escort a female serial killer, Rosalind Dyer, a convicted murderer, Rosalind wants to see the graves of her victims. The situation worsens as they discover new corpses that Dyer insists she did not kill. Meanwhile, Chen meets a handsome man who later turns out to be Dyer's accomplice and abducts Chen. A race to save her ensues as Armstrong faces trauma related to Dyer, who taunts him about his dead wife. This episode explores true danger, heartbeat moments, and teamwork.
It is notable in The Rookie because it combines a thriller procedural with personal threats, tests the crew's trust, and gives Nolan a sense of humanity as he protects Armstrong while also defending his rookie friends.
4. Plain Clothes Day (S1 E14)
In *The Rookie*, Season 1, Episode 14, rookies must take the lead without backup from uniformed police. Their training officers are present but unable to assist. Nolan works hard to impress but makes mistakes while chasing criminals. Chen arrests a dog abuser and later risks her career by confronting a sex offender. West gets frustrated when his cruiser breaks down, but he steps up to return a watch belonging to the widow of a murder victim. When Nolan ignores a woman in danger, it leads to a kidnapping; Bishop steps in to rescue her.
The episode stands out because it shows the rookies making tough choices, owning their mistakes, and growing under pressure. It highlights Nolan’s leadership, Chen’s courage, West’s determination, and the importance of trust in The Rookie's early training.
3. Free Fall (S1 E20)
Free Fall is a tense season one finale that pushes rookies Nolan, Bishop, Chen, and West to their limits. They're preparing for an exam when they learn of a murder at a bus station, revealing a terrorist plot involving a virus. Tensions rise as Tim might be exposed, and Russo shoots a surrendering suspect, straining her relationship with Nolan. Jackson displays his skills by saving lives and confronting his father’s doubts. The team works swiftly to contain the threat, give a vaccine, and stop the terrorists.
This episode stands out for its high stakes, moral dilemmas, and how each rookie must rise to the occasion when lives are on the line.
2. Under Siege (S5 Finale)
Under Siege depicts a terrifying assault on the Mid-Wilshire precinct. Celina and Aaron are attacked after a night out, and Aaron is shot. Celina hears a mysterious riddle. Later, Nolan and Bailey are assaulted at their home. Nyla’s baby is briefly kidnapped. Angela and Wesley decipher the riddle and uncover a scheme linked to past arrests. Officers Lucy and Tim fend off masked attackers in riot gear until backup arrives. The team realizes someone is targeting their precinct.
The episode ends with Aaron in a coma. It stands out as one of the best in The Rookie because it puts the whole team in danger and highlights their strength during a crisis.
1. Day of Death (S2 E11)
In The Rookie, "Day of Death" resumes a cliffhanger. Officer Chen is buried alive by Caleb Wright, a student of serial killer Rosalind Dyer. Nolan and Harper question Dyer for clues, then track Caleb via stolen contraband. They break into Caleb’s hideout; Harper shoots him, but he dies before revealing Chen’s location. The team follows Chen’s ring, and Bradford performs CPR to save her.
This episode stands out for its suspense, teamwork, and emotional rescue.
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We concluded that these episodes capture what The Rookie is all about: a mix of danger, heart, growth, and tough choices. Each story tests the characters in different ways, allowing them to grow and connect with viewers. From high-stakes finales to emotional moments, these episodes remind fans why The Rookie is a powerful and engaging police drama.
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