Since 2018, ABC drama The Rookie has stood out from other police procedurals thanks to its story of a fresh start, inspired by real-life events. Over its six seasons and just over 100 episodes, John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) has proven his desire to become a cop after a life-changing incident was more than just the whim of a man in the middle of a midlife crisis. The series’ success led to a short-lived spin-off, The Rookie: Feds.

Despite its sometimes harrowing plots and intense subject matter, certain episodes of The Rookie are great to revisit again and again. With unexpected plot twists, some episodes are worth a rewatch to see just how the plot points fall into place and the evidence leads to a certain direction, while other lighthearted episodes provide pure entertainment and highlight certain characters and relationships without reliving some of the series’ darker, more intense moments.

15 “Greenlight”

Season 1, Episode 16 (2019)

Life is unpredictable and so is The Rookie — that’s exactly the message “Greenlight” gave off at the end of the day. In its own way, The Rookie never shied away from some of the harsher realities, however, this episode leaned into the show’s knack for mixing lighthearted moments with serious drama. In a nutshell, things got intense once Officer Nolan arrested a woman linked to a gang. The result? A very potent hit was placed on him. The stakes are quite high when Captain Zoe Anderson (Mercedes Mason) steps in to protect Nolan. Unfortunately, she sacrifices her life, but not before showcasing her badassery and taking a few gang members with her.

The episode goes out of its way to highlight the unpredictability and risks that cops actually face. It’s not just because of Captain Anderson’s death on the show, but the fact that arresting someone could have such consequences of epic proportions is jarring. What truly makes “Greenlight” stand out is how it balances suspense with heartfelt moments. It also taps into what the show does best — delivering high-stakes drama while diving into the intricacies of its characters’ relationships and moral dilemmas. – Imaobong Ifum

14 “A.C.H”

Season 4, Episode 5 (2021)

Who doesn’t love a good Pete Davidson episode? His guest appearances are a nice palette cleanser from the sometimes dramatic and gritty world of The Rookie. In the episode, things take a bit of a wild turn when there’s a new designer drug on the scene. It slowly turns into a Halloween to remember with the drug giving users zombie-like characteristics. Perhaps adding a fair share to the chaos is Davidson in his recurring role as Nolan’s half-brother. However, he’s not solely a passing hurricane in this episode and even helps the LAPD track down the drug dealer behind it all. Despite his usual goofiness and immaturity, Pete is a productive part of this episode and plays a huge role in cracking the case.

The episode doesn’t just follow the action and “zombies,” there’s also a detailed look into character dynamics. Case point, audiences got another peek at the rocky mother-daughter dynamics between Lucy and mom. There are also a few hints and pointers in the Chenford direction. Overall, “A.C.H” is light and entertaining and is packed with tons of fun scenes that perfectly portray how the show balances serious issues with a good amount of humor. – Imaobong Ifum

13 “Daddy Cop”

Season 5, Episode 13 (2023)

In The Rookie Season 5, episode 13, we dive into an episode that’s a bit of a transitional chapter for the characters. It focuses more on the character’s connections and growth. Audiences get to see how much of a family the team has metamorphosed into. At the center of it all, are Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez) and Tim Bradford, who are facing very tangible challenges.

While the city is in the throes of a double whammy — a heatwave topped with a blackout — Lucy focuses her energy on finding a desk-ridden Tim a more fulfilling job. She tries to move people around, determined to help Tim switch departments and land a more suitable position at Metro. On the other hand, Celina steps up in a big way, taking on a major leadership role even though she’s still a rookie. Luckily, she’s got not one but two helping hands in the form of Grey and Tim. Adding to her air of badassery is the fact that she juggles this while also dealing with personal concerns about her mother. In usual The Rookie fashion, “Daddy Cop” blends character-driven drama with a touch of comedy. Overall, it tugs at the heartstrings and not in a sad way while setting the stage for future developments. – Imaobong Ifum

12 “Amber”

Season 3, Episode 9 (2021)

This episode of The Rookie is pure emotional drama and tension to the core as the officers rush against the clock to find a kidnapped newborn. In perhaps the most compelling performance by an extra on the show, Joshua Bitton’s portrayal of Ethan Cissane — the deceased baby’s father — is gut-wrenching. You could sense that he was barely hanging on as one tragedy after another struck. Using body cams, shop cams, and even Nolan’s professor’s phone, the storytelling in this episode feels a lot more up, close, and personal. However, it’s that helicopter cam transition shot that really took the crown. Outside the main plot, the show continues to address social issues. This time it’s through the perspective of Nolan’s professor (Toks Olagundoye) who joins the officers for a ride-along. She sparks conversations about police reform and community relations, adding another layer of depth to the episode.

While that’s going on, Officers Jackson and Chen are about to say goodbye to their status as rookies. Unfortunately, Nolan has to serve an extra 30 days due to his unauthorized investigation of Armstrong (Harold Perrineau). It’s equally safe to say a few Chenford nuggets were dropped throughout the season. This episode seamlessly blends personal stories with the usual action that The Rookie brings to the table. – Imaobong Ifum

11 “The Dark Side”

Season 2, Episode 10 (2019)

A Rosalind Dyer episode always ups the sinister factor and “The Dark Side” truly stands out for being the episode that introduces her. The episode has Nolan as part of a team that’s charged with the heavy responsibility of escorting a notorious serial killer to unearth the graves of her victims. The eerie thing is that there was absolutely no need to witness her committing any of the murders. It’s the satisfaction we see her derive from recounting her escapades and how she revels in the pain of her victim’s loved ones that speaks to how despicable she is.

The episode also digs into Lucy’s vulnerabilities as a cop and a person, so much so that she becomes Rosalind/Caleb’s next victim. To be honest, after Captain Anderson’s death, the episode does invoke that nagging feeling that she may be a goner. However, it does so with a touch of predictability, so the situation doesn’t feel completely hopeless. Altogether, it’s a pivotal episode in the show and lays the groundwork for the events that unraveled in “Day of Death.” – Imaobong Ifum

10 “Fire Fight”

Season 4, Episode 7 (2021)

In “Fire Fight,” following the house explosion and apparent suicide of suspected serial killer and arsonist Fred (Michael Reilly Burke), Nolan and Bailey (Jenna Dewan) realized there was more to Fred’s death than initially thought, and Nolan was kidnapped by Fred’s killer, Marcus (Maury Sterling), but ultimately escaped. Meanwhile, Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Bradford (Eric Winter) demand a rematch in their treasure hunt and turned to Grey (Richard T. Jones) to help set new terms, then arrest a string of criminals who were all wealthy women.

“Fire Fight” was a great mix of lighthearted and serious subject-matter – typical of The Rookie, with the storylines of the treasure-hunt redo and Nolan and Bailey’s investigation leading to Nolan’s kidnapping. Those elements make it fun to rewatch, especially knowing Nolan escaped unscathed, although the dynamic between Nolan and Marcus was still great to watch, especially Nolan’s thrilling escape. It was also a great episode for Chen and Bradford, as their relationship progressed, and they shared some great moments together.

9 “Pilot”

Season 1, Episode 1 (2018)

In the pilot episode of The Rookie, Nolan was caught in the middle of a bank robbery the same day his divorce was finalized, which inspired him to pursue his lifelong dream of being a cop. He left behind his life in Pennsylvania and moved to Los Angeles, where he joined the LAPD as their oldest rookie officer. While his peers and superiors especially dismissed his dream as a mid-life crisis, Nolan proved himself.

Sometimes, the best episode to rewatch is the one where it all began. The Rookie’s pilot episode is great to revisit to see Nolan’s story, and it’s a reminder of how far the character has come in the show’s six seasons. That’s also true for the rest of the characters. A lot has changed over those six years, and the very first episode serves as a great reminder of the show’s themes.

8 “The Q Word”

Season 2, Episode 19 (2020)

Detective Nick Armstrong (Harold Perrineau) recognized Nolan’s skills in “The Q Word” as the rookies’ first year approached its end and their training officers evaluated their performance. The episode was the first of a two-part season finale. After Chris Rios (Christopher O’Shea) was shot and killed by a member of a crime family, evidence went missing, pointing to a dirty cop within the LAPD. Nolan realized the dirty cop was Armstrong after Armstrong fatally shot another rookie.

Nolan’s abilities, as well as his reasons for deciding to become a cop so late in life, were often doubted by his peers and superiors alike, so it was refreshing to see someone actually believe in him for once, which also made the reveal that Armstrong was the dirty cop all the more shocking and devastating. And while a good plot twist can make it hard to enjoy a rewatch, here, it’s interesting to watch the pieces come together after knowing where they lead.

7 “The Choice”

Season 5, Episode 4 (2022)

Serial killer Rosalind (Annie Wersching) returned in “The Choice,” and the LAPD and FBI joined forces to stop her in a crossover episode with The Rookie: Feds. Bailey’s life is in danger after falling into a trap set by Rosalind in a seemingly abandoned house rigged with other traps, triggered by the squad’s attempts to rescue Bailey. Part of Rosalind’s plan was to be killed by Nolan, and although she did meet her end, it wasn’t because of Nolan.

As one of The Rookie’s most formidable villains, Rosalind was always great to watch, and her episodes are great to revisit. “The Choice” was an intense one, as Bailey was trapped and efforts to save her were complicated, and it was a reminder of just what Rosalind was capable of and what a great villain she really was. And, of course, it’s a relief to revisit an episode knowing everything works out in the end.

6 “Free Fall”

Season 1, Episode 20 (2019)

In “Free Fall,” the rookies got ready for an exam that determined who moved on to the next stage of training. Meanwhile, Nolan and Bishop (Afton Williamson) are called to a murder scene with a victim who may have had ties to a potential terrorist attack in Los Angeles, in which a group planned to release a deadly virus. The team was permitted to notify their loved ones to avoid public places.

More was at stake in “Free Fall” than just the rookies’ test scores and the futures they dictated, the episode was action-packed and fast-paced, making it a great way to end the season and the rookies’ first year. The squad’s instructions to warn their loved ones presented a devastating moral dilemma, in which the public at large didn’t receive the same warning lest it also tip off the terrorists and prevent them from being caught.

5 “The Hunt”

Season 2, Episode 20 (2020)

In “The Hunt,” the second of the two-part Season 2 finale, Nolan was determined to take down corrupt officer Nick and turned to Rosalind Dyer to help. Thanks to a tip from her, Nolan made a shocking discovery about Nick which went much deeper than he expected and threatened both his career and his life, and flashbacks revealed Nick had been working with the Derian crime family throughout the entire series.

“The Hunt” was an exciting episode with major implications for Nolan, and it’s a great one to revisit thanks to great writing and plot details. Nick’s flashbacks put previous events in an entirely new light, and rewatching the episode helps lay out all the pieces and how they came together. In addition, the cast were all impressive in this episode, with Perrineau especially standing out as Nick’s situation became more dire, and he was confirmed to be a dirty cop, despite how good and honorable he seemed previously.

4 “Plain Clothes Day”

Season 1, Episode 14 (2019)

The rookies marked their 100th day with the LAPD with their biggest test ever when they had to make all the decisions on patrol, with their training officers dressed in plain clothes and unable to assist in “Plain Clothes Day.” Meanwhile, Nolan expressed his desire to be promoted to detective within five years and tried to justify his goal by proving he was progressing faster than his fellow rookies, and Jackson was pulled to catalog evidence, interfering with his goal of beating his father’s record for arrests on Plain Clothes Day.

“Plain Clothes Day” was a memorable episode for the rookies, with both successes and missteps as they navigated the day alone. For Nolan, the Plain Clothes Day exercise was another reminder of his age, but it only made him that much more determined to prove his skill and work his way through the ranks. The episode is a great one to rewatch for its challenges for the rookies, and it’s a reminder of how far they’ve come since.

3 “Time of Death”

Season 1, Episode 8 (2018)

A silent alarm went off at a local convenience store in the midst of a robbery, and Nolan and Bishop responded in “Time of Death.” Nolan pursued one of the suspects on foot, leading to him fatally shooting him. The episode dealt with the aftermath of the incident, from an investigation into the shooting by Internal Affairs to Nolan’s guilt over it. Meanwhile, Bradford’s wife agrees to go undercover to catch drug dealers.

“Time of Death” treated the subject of an officer-involved shooting with care. Its impact on Nolan was clear, as he struggled more and more throughout the episode. While the episode can be a difficult one to rewatch, it’s worth it for its emotional power. It was a great look at Nolan’s character with an impressive performance from Fillion, as well as an example of the way the LAPD supported each other.

2 “Day of Death”

Season 2, Episode 11 (2020)

After Chen was abducted by her date, serial killer Caleb Wright (Michael Cassidy), the LAPD raced to find her in “Day of Death” and enlisted Rosalind, who mentored Caleb, for help. Meanwhile, Chen awoke to Caleb tattooing the date, her date of death, onto her stomach, and throughout her time with him, she did everything she could to outsmart him and stay one step alive, keeping her alive as long as possible.

“Day of Death” was a harrowing episode, making it a thrilling one to watch again. While it was difficult to watch Chen being held captive and tortured, some of the best moments both in the episode and for her character overall came from her taunting Caleb and her scheming to keep from being killed. It was also fascinating to watch Rosalind work with the police to capture a killer who learned from her.

1 “Under Siege”

Season 5, Episode 22 (2023)

In the season five finale “Under Siege,” the LAPD realized they were being targeted by a group of masked attackers after multiple officers were attacked, some in their own homes with threats against their families. Chen and Bradford suspected the culprit was Luke Moran (Chet Grissom), who had served time after being found guilty of elder abuse, but they were only partly right. Meanwhile, Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) gave birth to a baby girl.

“Under Siege” introduced a villain and plot point which continued into Season 6, making it great to rewatch heading into the following season, but it’s also worth revisiting on its own merits. The masked assailants were truly creepy, making the episode’s tone in line with something out of a horror movie, and it was one of the series’ most intense episodes. The identity of the masked group wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed, and rewatching the episode may give some insight into what was happening.