In Season 8, John Nolan and the team are sent on a high-stakes international assignment in Prague before pulling them back into the evolving dangers of life in the LAPD. At home, the unit faces a shifting landscape of political pressure, unresolved threats, and returning adversaries — including hints that corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens may not be out of the picture for long.
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Community reviews for The Rookie, shown here with its season details.
Wow wow wow thats all I can say I watched the premeire of this show and it was a all out blast this is not a show that takes itsself too seriously or jokes too much it's kinda in the middle just rhe way I love it hilarious and also kick-ass the guy from castle is upbeat and charming. As well I love love loved this show it was fantastic no doubt one of the falls best
What a great show! No propaganda, agenda or any political BS. Characters are very well developed. You care about them, you love them. I really can't say anything bad about this show. It's great. Definitely deserves 10/10!
**Score: 7/10 — A Fun, Flawed, and Unapologetically Idealistic Procedural** *The Rookie* succeeds because of [not in spite of] its well crafted contradictions... It is a show that is at once deeply entertaining and profoundly naive, a character-driven workplace drama wrapped in the glossy, sun-drenched packaging of a police recruitment ad. For what it sets out to do—provide optimistic, weekly escapism with a beloved cast—it earns its keep, even as its disconnect from reality grows more pronounced with each passing season. **What Works (Why We Keep Watching):** The show’s undeniable engine is its **character development and chemistry.** Nathan Fillion’s John Nolan, the titular “oldest rookie,” provides a charming, moral anchor, and the ensemble around him (Melissa O’Neil’s Lucy Chen, Eric Winter’s Tim Bradford, etc.) has evolved into a genuinely beloved television family. Their personal and professional arcs—the romances, the friendships, the triumphs—are scripted with a sincerity that makes you invest deeply. As you noted, you **keep interested in the characters**, and that investment has carried the show through its more outlandish plots for **eight fun-to-watch seasons.** **The Central Critique: The Propaganda Paradox** The show’s most significant flaw and [perhaps] its purpose; **This is, in essence, a masterclass in soft police propaganda.** In an era of documented systemic issues, widespread public distrust, and justified scrutiny of U.S. law enforcement, *The Rookie* presents a pristine, parallel universe. Here, every officer is **inherently good, honest, and intolerant of corruption.** Problems are caused by individual “bad apples,” always external to the system, and are solved through camaraderie and sheer moral fortitude. The **plots and storylines are so far from reality** that they often stretch believability to its breaking point, presenting policing as a series of heartwarming interventions and Hollywood style heroics devoid of the complex grey-area tensions that define the real world. **The Verdict:** *The Rookie* is not a police drama; it is a police *fantasy*. It’s the procedural equivalent of comfort food; reliable, warm, and intentionally lacking in challenging nutrients. It earns a **solid 7/10** for executing this fantasy with consistent charm, excellent pacing, and a cast you can’t help but root for. It started strong, embraced a **bit of silliness** to keep the formula fresh, and has maintained its watchability through sheer force of likability. Enjoy it for what it is: a well-crafted, idealistic fable about good people doing good things in a uniformly supportive system. Just don’t mistake its sunny Los Angeles for the one that exists off-screen. It’s a fun watch, but it’s a carefully constructed dream, not a reflection of a waking world. **Watch if:** You love character-centric procedurals, Nathan Fillion’s charm, and undemanding, optimistic television. **Skip if:** You seek gritty, realistic cop dramas, nuanced social commentary, or are frustrated by narratives that sidestep systemic critique in favour of individual heroism.
Episode 1
The LAPD, FBI and Interpol work with Monica Stevens in Prague to target high-value terrorists operating within and outside the United States.
Episode 2
When the president visits Los Angeles, the LAPD teams up with the Secret Service to ensure his safety and assess any major threats on their watch list. Meanwhile, Miles's instincts are tested, and Tim takes on a new role.
Episode 3
Nolan makes a quiet arrest, and Lucy and Celina race to rescue a kidnapping victim. Meanwhile, Harper and Lopez help outsmart a killer, and Miles visits a familiar face.
Episode 4
While out in the city, Nolan and Bailey witness a murder in public and immediately spring into action in the hopes of finding the person responsible. Meanwhile, Angela and Wesley have a big life decision that may affect their future.
Episode 5
Lieutenant Grey and the FBI task force enlist the help of an old colleague to uncover a criminal network. Nolan, Miles, Lucy, and Celina respond to a mysterious officer-involved shooting.
Episode 6
It's Valentine's Day, and the team is on the hunt for someone who is setting more than hearts on fire. Meanwhile, Celina thinks Miles' recent string of bad luck is the result of a curse, and she's determined to break it.
Episode 7
Harper and Lucy go undercover in Baja while investigating the murder of two young women. Back in LA, Bradford and the FBI task force assist in the investigation, while Nolan and Bailey navigate their long-distance relationship.
Episode 8
Nolan and Garza lead a high-stakes operation that quickly goes south. Lucy and Tim navigate their relationship when an unexpected visitor shows up. Meanwhile, the team conducts a citywide search for a suspect.
Episode 9
Harper and Miles feel the weight of their recent mistakes, while Harper is tasked with training Miles. Nolan and Celina are dispatched to a robbery call where Nolan encounters a familiar face.
Episode 10
Nolan, Harper and Miles face a dangerous situation when a routine check takes a sudden turn. Meanwhile, Bailey conducts a covert investigation at the Pentagon at the request of Lt. Grey.
Episode 11
Lucy returns to work in the aftermath of the attack. Meanwhile, an unexpected twist hinders the Liam Glasser case, and a familiar face helps the team track down a killer.
Episode 12
The FBI and LAPD join forces on a covert sting operation to protect Bailey, while Wesley and Angela face tensions in their marriage when his campaign is threatened by a public scandal.
Episode 13
Bailey gets a new role, and a ride-along with Nolan goes awry. Meanwhile, the team looks to recruit new members.
Episode 14
A troubling incident at a school draws the team into a complex case, while Celina's temporary missing persons assignment leads her into a dangerous situation.
Episode 15
The team works together after Nolan and Celina discover a possible suicide that spirals into conspiracy.
Episode 16
Nolan is put to the test when he's forced to protect a man he doesn't trust. Meanwhile, Lucy and Celina follow a promising lead, and Lopez finds herself conflicted about Wesley's new position.
Episode 17
Nolan and Harper try to help a desperate mother protect her child, while Lt. Grey and Garza continue to work with Monica despite their misgivings.
Episode 18
The team launches a high-stakes search to take down a notorious criminal. Meanwhile, Lucy's leadership is tested, Wesley tests the boundaries of his friendships, and Nolan tries to balance duty and family.