John Nolan faces various ups and downs in his fledgling career at the LAPD and his personal life, while Tim Bradford, Lucy Chen, and Angela Lopez quickly became the most likable characters in The Rookie, and they contributed to its large following. Some stand out above others, but the best episodes of The Rookie contain a fair amount of humor, a dash of action, and Fillion’s winning charm. With over 100 episodes and the series still going, The Rookie has a wealth of content to choose from — though the best The Rookie episodes stand out from the crowd.

20 Poetic Justice

Season 4, Episode 6

This season 4 episode of The Rookie had a lot going on, and was one of the most tense and suspenseful episodes of the season. “Poetic Justice” saw treasure hunters searching for gold, and with so much wealth on the line, it ended up as a deadly hunt. People began killing each other to get their share of the riches, and it was up to Nolan and his team to figure out what was going on and stop it before more bodies began piling up.

Popular character actor Sean Gunn, brother of director James Gunn, plays one of the treasure hunters.

What really helps this episode thrive is the relationship between Chen and Harper, who always steal scenes when together. These are the characters who set out to solve the riddles at the core of the murderous treasure hunters and find the gold before anyone else dies. However, the episode also gets credit for sending Jerry out with a perfect retirement, as he finally solves the case for a perfect bow to his career.

19 Double Down

Season 5, Episode 1

One of the best villains to appear on The Rookie is Rosalind Dyer. She pushed Nolan to the limit multiple times and was always entertaining when she appeared on the show. In the season 5 episode, “Double Down,” Rosalind was back. This time, she escapes prison, and Nolan and his crew have to set out to find her and bring her back in. The fact that this was the season premiere showed there would be some big-time excitement in this installment of The Rookie.

Annie Wersching, the actress who played Rosalind Dyer, passed away from cancer at the age of 45 in 2023.

This season, Nolan prepared to move into his role as a training officer, which would change the dynamic for him and his co-workers. While that is a nice change, what carries this episode to great heights is Rosalind and her return to prominence. When she leaves Nolan the video of her killing Beth’s parents and taunting him about Lucy, it sets her up as more dangerous than ever, and this episode sets up a great story arc for the season.

18 The Choice

Season 5, Episode 4

Rosalind Dyer was set up as the season 5 big bad in the premiere when she escaped and taunted Nolan on her way out. She was back in “The Choice,” the fourth episode of the season where the LAPD and FBI joined forces to try to stop her. This was a crossover episode, with The Rookie crossing over with The Rookie: Feds, which added even more excitement on top of Rosalind’s return. Rosalind continues to toy with everyone, putting Bailey’s life in danger in this ploy.

Bailey walks right into a trap Rosalind sets with traps rigged around the abandoned house, making the team’s attempt to save her harder than needed. What makes this entire situation so intriguing is that Rosalind wants to die, and she wants Nolan to kill her. The episode also ends with a huge cliffhanger as Nolan finally finds Rosalind. She is waiting for him, all dressed up with a gun, and this is where she sets up Nolan for their final confrontation. It’s not her end, but the gripping chase made this one of the best Rookie episodes.

17 Plain Clothes Day

Season 1, Episode 14

“Plain Clothes Day” is a fun episode with a strange set-up. The rookies are preparing for their 100th day with the LAPD, which means it is time for one of their bigger tests. They have to go on patrol and make all the decisions, as their training officers are all dressed in plain clothes. They are not allowed to give any advice or aid in the decision-making. During this time, Nolan has decided he wants to become a detective in five years and sets out to prove he is better than the other rookies.

This stands as one of the best Rookie episodes because it allows the rookies to make mistakes and also shows their progression as officers during this one day on patrol. Nolan gets a quick reminder in this episode that he isn’t as young as the other rookies, and while that makes him more determined to work harder, it also shows that he has to use his brain a lot more than his physical prowess when he is out on the streets. Overall, “Plain Clothes Day” was a thrilling yet touching reminder of how far these characters have come.

16 Under The Gun

Season 2, Episode 18

“Under the Gun” is one of the most intense episodes of the second season. The episode sees Nolan and Harper escorting several juvenile delinquents to prison, and things get hairy when they arrive and there is a riot underway. They are trapped and outnumbered, and it is up to the LAPD officers to get them and a security guard being held hostage to safety. That is what really drives the episode because it puts Nolan in direct danger.

There is also a side plot with Rachel and Bradford, who made a mistake and separated a mother from her daughter, and they have to fix this problem. Finally, as if those weren’t enough stumbling blocks, Lopez and West have to save the life of someone who has been making Lopez’s life rough for a while. This episode sees each team put into situations where they have to get through some tough tests, and that always makes for the best Rookie episodes.

15 Standoff

Season 1, Episode 9

Due to the nature of their jobs, all the best episodes of The Rookie feature the characters in some kind of danger. However, the squad is on their own against a savage drug dealer, and they are left more vulnerable than they ever have been before. The stakes are especially high for Tim and Lucy, who are trapped in an apartment with the pregnant woman Vance was after.

Tim is struggling to contain his range of emotions, and viewers get to know the most closed-off character a bit better.

Things get even more out of control when she goes into labor, and Tim is forced to face off with the person who shot his wife. Tim struggles to contain his range of emotions, and viewers get to know the most closed-off character a bit better. It is a clever way for The Rookie to provide insight into Tim’s character, and this episode is certainly one of the best the series has to offer in terms of twists and turns.

14 Time Of Death

Season 1, Episode 8

There isn’t a dull moment in “Time of Death,” and every character is faced with more than they can handle. However, the most thought-provoking plot line belongs to Nolan, who had shot and killed a perpetrator in self-defense. Nolan’s compassion is his most outstanding trait, and his desire to protect others is what led him to join the police force. Nolan, the most sympathetic character on the show, has a lot to process throughout this episode.

By putting Nolan in this complex situation, viewers follow his internal journey, as well as an incredibly nailbiting case.

By putting Nolan in this complex situation, viewers follow his internal journey, as well as an incredibly nail-biting case. Any murder, no matter the circumstances, requires an in-depth investigation, and Nolan spends the episode struggling to come to terms with taking a life. Between exploring Nolan’s psyche and addressing a very real issue that’s not often depicted in crime procedurals, The Rookie uses this episode to set itself apart from other crime procedurals on the market.

13 The Checklist

Season 1, Episode 19

“The Checklist” is one of the funniest episodes of season 1. It’s also the perfect example of why the show is considered a dramedy, with Nolan and Bishop’s more intense plot line creating a balance. In the installment, Tim and Angela are both determined to help their rookies finish their checklist so they won’t be held back in the program.

Fillion has impeccable comedic timing and the episode is a perfect example of how The Rookie handles its character’s relationships.

The humor comes in when they fight over calls they both need and race each other to the scene. The episode establishes how much their training officers cared about Lucy and Jackson’s success, and further strengthens the bonds between them. Fillion has impeccable comedic timing and the episode is a perfect example of how The Rookie handles its characters’ relationships, and the partnership he is sharing with the officers around him as he continues to grow as an officer.

12 Manhunt

Season 1, Episode 15

The Rookie thrives on chaos, and “Manhunt” is the most chaotic installment of the series. It isn’t muddled in a way that takes away from its enjoyment, as it’s clear that the episode was written to showcase a complete disaster. After a prison transport bus crashes and a group of murderous inmates escape, Nolan and the rest of the officers are faced with a situation that simply can’t be controlled.

Despite being so comedy-forward, The Rookie is a serious and compelling show, and “Manhunt” proves it.

The L.A.P.D. runs amok attempting to round up the criminals, and it is one of the most stressful plots the police procedural has ever delivered. “Manhunt” proves that The Rookie is just as capable of high-stakes drama as other hit crime TV shows such as Criminal Minds or NCIS. Despite being so comedy-forward, The Rookie is a serious and compelling show, and “Manhunt” proves it.

11 Under Siege

Season 5, Episode 22

Season finales are generally when the show does its best work, and The Rookie season 5 ending is definitively one of the show’s best episodes. Not one cast member isn’t in danger at some point or another in “Under Siege”. Grey, Tim, and Lucy show up to a scene in which Aaron has been shot by a masked assailant, and Celina is left to tend to his wounds. Soon, however, masked people start attacking members of the L.A.P.D. at random, which increases the tension instantly.

“Under Siege” was the perfect choice to end the season completely action-forward, reminding audiences why they fell in love with the show in the first place.

Nolan and Bailey are attacked next, followed by Nyla and James. Through some detective work, the team sees where the masks were purchased. However, it isn’t revealed until the end of the episode that the assailants that were caught turned out to be framed. Season 5 of The Rookie saw a lot of drama, and not nearly as much action as the previous chapters. “Under Siege” was the perfect choice to end the season completely action-forward, reminding audiences why they fell in love with the show in the first place.

10 Clean Cut

Season 2, Episode 8

“Clean Cut” is one of the best episodes of The Rookie, because, no matter which characters or relationships viewers prefer, each has an engaging storyline. Jackson having an allergic reaction to the drugs he accidentally inhaled during a traffic stop is one of the funniest moments in The Rookie to date. Simultaneously, Lucy and Tim have Chenford shippers rejoicing, as Lucy proves just how far she would go for him.

The Rookie nails it in “Clean Cut” and still manages to bring subplots to a satisfying conclusion without injuring the pacing of the show.

Elsewhere, it seems as though Nolan wouldn’t have much to do after he was tasked with babysitting a crime scene, but even that took a riveting turn. It’s certainly not easy to have an ensemble-driven show that also includes meaningful and interesting subplots. However, The Rookie nails it in “Clean Cut” and still manages to bring subplots to a satisfying conclusion without injuring the pacing of the show.

9 Lockdown

Season 3, Episode 5

“Lockdown” is one of the best episodes of The Rookie because of its seamless blending of two separate plots and Brandon Routh’s superb performance as Doug Stanton. Additionally, the installment features plenty of action, seeing protagonist John Nolan taken hostage. The hostage situation causes the whole station to go on lockdown as the officers scramble to identify the subject and rescue Nolan.

It’s a credit to the show’s writers and production team that these two issues can work out within the confines of one episode.

Within this high-stakes narrative is the subplot of Officer Jackson in the throes of losing his career due to a roadblock in his relationship with Stanton. However, The Rookie manages to work this into the main narrative without any issues or detracting from the frenzied nature of the central conflict. It’s a credit to the show’s talented writers and production team that these two issues can work out within the confines of one episode.

8 The Dark Side

Season 2, Episode 10

“The Dark Side” is one of the best episodes of The Rookie for several reasons, but the biggest is likely due to the introduction of Rosalind Dyer. Rosalind is, objectively, the most powerful and interesting antagonist in the history of The Rookie. While gruesome, the characters’ task to locate the bodies she buried alive made for an entertaining installment.

Rosalind is certainly one of the best antagonists in The Rookie.

It is the events of this episode that set “Day of Death” into motion, as Rosalind’s protégé is revealed when he takes Lucy as his next victim. Rosalind proves that she’s a fan-favorite villain in The Rookie, as she appears in the series multiple times. However, her introduction remains one of the best episodes that she’s in, and one of the best of the show, as the team is tasked with escorting the notorious female serial killer to the graves of her victims.

7 Consequences

Season 3, Episode 1

The season 3 premiere of The Rookie has an artful way of seeing through the season 2 finale cliffhanger and tackling complex topical issues without breaking a sweat. In addition, the fan-favorite antagonist, Rosalind, makes an appearance in the installment, which always makes for an entertaining episode. “Consequences” picks up with John Nolan facing, well, the consequences of his investigation against Detective Nick Armstrong, which has put him in a tough situation all around.

It’s one of the most nail-biting installments of the series, and many were wholly convinced that Nolan was about to meet his end.

After being framed and arrested, Nolan tries his hardest to uncover Armstrong’s connection to the Armenian mob by going undercover. However, Armstrong eventually catches up with him and prepares to get rid of John Nolan once and for all. The episode includes some serious police work from the rookie Nolan. It’s one of the most nail-biting installments of the series, and many were wholly convinced that Nolan was about to meet his end.

6 Free Fall

Season 1, Episode 20

Although they didn’t get together until season 5, Tim and Lucy showed early potential to be one of the best couples in The Rookie. “Free Fall” was the episode that first solidified their strong connection, and the scene featuring them on opposite sides of the wall allowed them to be emotionally vulnerable with each other. Tim is quarantined after being exposed to a deadly virus that is being weaponized against the city of Los Angeles, while Nolan, Angela, and Jackson attempt to stop the spread.

“Free Fall” was an incredible way to end the very first season of the show, and viewers were left wondering if Tim would survive.

“Free Fall” was an incredible way to end the very first season of The Rookie, and viewers were left wondering if Tim would survive. The Rookie season 1 finale proved to be one of the best installments of the series thus far, as, after an intense introduction, it refused to let up and kept audiences hanging on the line for season 2.

5 Threshold

Season 3, Episode 14

The season 3 installment “Threshold” is one of the best episodes of The Rookie based on its bombastic cliffhanger ending alone. A lot of plot threads are at play in “Threshold.” John is injured when he catches a shoplifter and the DA wants to press charges, while he simply wants to let it go; Lucy goes undercover; Lopez’s wedding venue is seized by the FBI; and John ends up meeting his new neighbor.

The Rookie brought its A-game once again for the finale

The Rookie brought its A-game once again for the finale, as season 3 ends in the most shocking finale thus far: with Angela and Jackson held at gunpoint. The episode also sees the end of La Fiera, and Nolan’s eventual fiancée, Bailey, is introduced. The chemistry between the cast is on point in this episode, and it was another fantastic ending to a season of The Rookie.

4 The Hunt

Season 2, Episode 20

“The Hunt” sees John Nolan’s investigation against Officer Armstrong take a dangerous turn. When Nolan reviews the footage from his camera, he concludes that Officer Nick Armstrong murdered Erin. However, he’s forced to find definitive evidence of this or suffer losing his job. In a desperate attempt, Nolan breaks into Armstrong’s home but quickly discovers just how deep his corruption goes.

The scope of the issue mixed with the intrigue of the narrative makes it one of the best episodes of The Rookie .

The revelation that Armstrong is involved with the Armenian mob is an issue well above John Nolan’s pay grade, and he’s painfully aware of this. He seeks help from Rosalind Dyer, but it ends up being too late as Nick attempts to frame John (and to great success) in the season 2 finale. It is an unexpected way to end the sophomore season, and the scope of the conflict mixed with the intrigue of the narrative makes it one of the best episodes of The Rookie.

3 The Q Word

Season 2, Episode 19

Despite being at a disadvantage due to his late start as a cop, Nolan is one of the most intelligent characters in The Rookie. Detective Armstrong realizes his potential, and they form a strong bond while Armstrong helps get him prepared to someday join his line of police work. If audiences have any doubts about John Nolan’s intuition and powers of deduction, then look no further than “The Q Word.”

Between the twist and a satisfying win for Nolan, this installment stands out among the pack as its narrative had reverberating consequences for the rest of the series.

Armstrong appears untrustworthy when he is first introduced, but he proves himself to the audience by trading his life for Lucy’s when she is kidnapped. Therefore, his betrayal makes “The Q Word” one of the most shocking episodes of The Rookie, and Nolan discovering that Armstrong is a dirty cop further proves his aptitude. Between the twist and a satisfying win for Nolan, this episode stands out as its narrative had reverberating consequences for the rest of the series.

2 Day Of Death

Season 2, Episode 11

Not only is “Day of Death” one of the most intense and high-stakes episodes of the series, but it is also an audience favorite due to the heavy focus on Tim and Lucy’s relationship. It features one of several scenes that prove Tim and Lucy are meant to be in The Rookie, and it implies that romance could be on the horizon for them in the future, which finally pays off in season 5.

The Rookie always puts female empowerment to the forefront, and Lucy saves herself.

Viewers are on the edge of their seats as the L.A.P.D. races to save Lucy, who has been buried alive. However, The Rookie always puts female empowerment to the forefront, and Lucy saves herself after leaving behind a ring that she knew Tim would recognize. The incredible episode of The Rookie also brings formidable antagonist Rosalind Dyer back into the mix, as it was her protégé who kidnapped Lucy.

1 Greenlight

Season 1, Episode 16

“Green Light” is Rookie episode that many viewers struggle to rewatch, but this is also why it’s arguably the best. None of the characters came out of their shift the same person they were before, and the installment was impactful, emotional, and utterly devastating, as it saw one of the first major and arguably the saddest character deaths of the whole series. Captain Andersen was a tenacious woman who earned the respect of her subordinates by holding them to high standards, while still making them feel valued.

There’s humor, devastation, and danger packed neatly into this one episode.

Andersen died saving Nolan’s life, and the heartbreaking experience helped shape him into the reputable cop he became. The episode stands out as one of the best episodes of The Rookie because it contains the perfect blend of themes that make the series a success. There’s humor, devastation, and danger packed neatly into this one episode.