The Rookie began its seventh season sturdy with a gripping mixture of intense motion and emotional depth. Whereas the stakes are increased than they’ve ever been with the police work (would LAPD really be concerned in a nuclear menace like this?), it’s the give attention to the relationships, new rookie improvement, and private struggles that basically makes it stand out. It’s an ideal steadiness of thrill and character-driven drama.
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Recap:
The episode kicks off with Nolan and Celina on a rooftop, scanning a home the place they consider fugitive Jason is hiding. Nolan, solely a day faraway from being shot within the butt. Celina affords him an opportunity to sit down this one out. However Nolan, ever the skilled, refuses to again down. The scene units the tone for the episode, which balances action-packed moments with the emotional toll the job takes on the officers.
Because the crew gears up for a harmful raid on a drug home linked to Jason, it rapidly escalates right into a full-on shootout. Whereas Tim and Lucy have interaction the suspects inside, Celina provides chase to a fleeing girl. Nolan, unable to maintain up as a result of his damage, commandeers a scooter in a second that each had the viewers laughing and rooting for him. The chase is chaotic, however Nolan nonetheless manages to apprehend the suspect. It felt virtually like a call-back to the pilot, seeing Nolan keep away from the fence – he didn’t need to not make it over!
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| “The Shot” – THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Eric Winter as Tim Bradford and Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen. Picture: Disney/Mike Taing © 2024 All Rights Reserved. |
The present then has a time-jump, and there are two new rookies, Seth Ridley and Miles Penn. We get to see TO Tim make a grand return as he attire the brand new rookies down together with his traditional Bradford Remedy. In the meantime, Lucy positive factors an interim promotion to P3. When she turns down Tim’s supply of recommendation, they find yourself setting a wager to find out who’s educating strategies are superior. And, no, Nolan just isn’t thought-about as a contestant.
Wesley’s plot this episode is one which I definitely didn’t count on. Initially, it’s revealed that he’s reviewing the remedy tapes from Blair London’s workplace final season. He units up in Tim’s previous Metro workplace and begins to hear…solely to search out out that one of many detectives may need a factor for his spouse!
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| “The Shot” – THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Ivan Hernandez as Detective Graham and Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers. Picture: Disney/Mike Taing © 2024 All Rights Reserved. |
Later, Nolan and Celina discover themselves concerned in a tense pharmacy theft, the place they need to face off with a gunman in search of medication. Nolan freezes within the warmth of the second, unable to take the shot. It’s a uncommon second of vulnerability for him, when he’s normally the one saving the day, and it’s refreshing to see the present dive into his self-doubt. Gray’s recommendation to not second-guess himself serves as a comforting reminder that even the most effective officers have moments of uncertainty.
In the meantime, the rookies (and their TOs) discover themselves in some sticky conditions of their very own. Seth, nonetheless adjusting to the realities of police work, has a very tough second when he pukes proper onto a criminal offense scene after coping with a drug overdose. Later, it’s revealed that he didn’t simply get sick due to the scene, however as a result of his girlfriend OD’d, and he nonetheless has trauma from giving her CPR. In distinction, Miles’ cocky perspective rubs Tim the unsuitable manner, and the strain between the 2 solely intensifies when Miles makes reckless selections throughout a automotive chase.
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The episode then shifts into excessive gear with a bombshell plot-twist: the invention {that a} nuclear gadget has been stolen. The stakes rise dramatically because the crew races in opposition to time to forestall a possible catastrophe. We get a short come-back for Agent Garza from The Rookie: Feds, and the LAPD assists the FBI in monitoring down the weapon. Within the warmth of the second, there’s just one rule: Don’t shoot the nuke!
Nolan’s closing, decisive shot to convey down one of many suspects is a strong second, not simply because it ends the speedy menace, however as a result of it marks a private victory for him. After wrestling with self-doubt earlier, Nolan’s option to act decisively exhibits that he’s handled points, in the end resolving the plot.
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| “The Shot” – THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Jacob Figueroa, Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, Felix Solis as Agent Garza, and Richard T. Jones as Lt. Gray. Picture: Disney/Mike Taing © 2025 All Rights Reserved. |
The episode wraps up with some quieter, extra reflective moments. Tim and Lucy share a playful dialog about their wager, signaling a shift of their relationship from exes to one thing that’s probably prepared to maneuver ahead. Their flirtation is delicate however plain, hinting at a future improvement that can undoubtedly have followers buzzing (together with me). In the meantime, Wesley’s private struggles concerning his data of Graham’s emotions for Angela create an attention-grabbing emotional battle for him–however the episode ends poignantly with Angela firmly declaring she may be very pleased of their marriage.
(Now, can we get their child lady’s title?)
The episode ends with Nolan calling Bailey, who’s been in a foreign country, secure away from Jason whereas in Military Reserves. He walks in alone into his empty home and says to himself,“You probably did a superb job right now,” earlier than realizing it sounds odd.
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| “The Shot” – THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen and Eric Winter as Tim Bradford. Picture: Disney/Mike Taing © 2025 All Rights Reserved. |
Ideas:
Total, The Rookie continues to impress with its combination of humor, coronary heart, and suspense. This episode doesn’t simply give attention to the motion, but in addition on the private journeys of its characters, making it not solely an thrilling hour of tv however a significant one as effectively. The crew is evolving, the stakes are rising, and the present is simply getting higher.
I actually loved the latest rookies. Only one episode in, and there’s a whole lot of depth. We realized a bit about Seth’s backstory (and there’s extra to come back in Episode 2 that can have you ever reeling…), and we get a superb really feel for Miles – however I’m curious to be taught extra about his actual causes for being in LA. It may’t be simply that he’s “destined for greatness,” can it? Both manner, he’s dwelling in his automotive, and he’s going to wish to determine an alternative choice to that quickly…
All in all, this episode had somewhat little bit of every thing. Motion, humor, some private progress, and somewhat little bit of drama on the facet. The pacing felt good, and the character improvement was delicate however vital. I’m excited to see the place issues go from right here, particularly with the brand new rookies within the combine and the continued fallout from the corruption case.
It’s an ideal begin to the season!
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Character of the Week: Lucy Chen
Lucy deserves recognition for the way she stepped into the position with such ease. Sure, issues along with her rookie may be rocky proper now, however it has nothing to do with Lucy’s coaching strategies. She’s empathetic, however agency, making it clear that the job outweighs all the private whereas on shift if he desires to save lots of lives. Nolan took some time to search out his personal groove when he bought promoted to P3, however Lucy is taking it in seamlessly – regardless of not even realizing that she’d be coaching a model new rookie till proper earlier than roll name!
I am immensely excited for the way her coaching develops and grows even additional, and the way she’ll hopefully beat Tim within the wager!
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Ship of the Week: Wopez
Wesley and Angela had been pushed to the sidelines final season, however this season’s premiere provides me hope that we’ll get a whole lot of them to come back. Wesley discovering out {that a} coworker of Angela’s may be somewhat obsessed has him reeling a bit – and Graham does not assist by stating that he does not assume Angela and him would final. Worst of all, Wesley cannot say a phrase about any of this, as a result of he is sworn to confidentiality with the tapes!
However the ending between them is gorgeous, with how genuinely pleased Angela is in her relationship and life with Wesley.
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| “The Shot” – THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers. Picture: Disney/Mike Taing © 2024 All Rights Reserved. |
Subsequent Time:
We can’t have an Superior Preview for each episode, however we’re fortunate to have one for Season 7, Episode 2, “The Watcher.” That one will come out Monday at 8AM PST – preserve a watch out!
What had been your ideas on “The Shot”? How are you feeling about this season? Remark under all of your ideas about The Rookie!
You’ll want to catch The Rookie reside on ABC at 10PM on Tuesdays—or compensate for Hulu the following day!