The Rookie backdrop
Crime•Drama•Comedy

The Best Episodes of The Rookie

Every episode of The Rookie ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Rookie!

Binge this in 4d 7h•Peaking at 9.5/10

Starting over isn't easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being an LAPD officer. As the force's oldest rookie, he's met with skepticism from some

Airs on
ABC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons9

All123456789

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Rookie Season 8 Episode 16 - Out of Time
    9.5/10(24 votes)

    #1 - Out of Time

    S8:E16

    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.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writers:Moira Kirland, Amanda Mercedes

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 17 - Dead Ringer
    9.5/10(16 votes)

    #2 - Dead Ringer

    S8:E17

    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.

    Director:Ryan Krayser
    Writers:Alexi Hawley, Brynn Malone

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Rookie Season 7 Episode 8 - Wildfire
    9.3/10(68 votes)

    #3 - Wildfire

    S7:E8

    Nyla remains suspicious of Liam Glasser as a wildfire erupts, causing chaos in the city. Meanwhile, James tries to help a friend, and Seth makes a costly mistake, putting two of their own in danger.

    Director:Michael Goi
    Writer:Brynn Malone

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 1 - Czech Mate
    9.3/10(285 votes)

    #4 - Czech Mate

    S8:E1

    The LAPD, FBI and Interpol work with Monica Stevens in Prague to target high-value terrorists operating within and outside the United States.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 6 - Burn 4 Love
    9.3/10(33 votes)

    #5 - Burn 4 Love

    S8:E6

    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.

    Director:Lanre Olabisi
    Writer:Moira Kirland

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Rookie Season 2 Episode 11 - Day of Death
    9.2/10(45 votes)

    #6 - Day of Death

    S2:E11

    Officer Nolan and the entire team are in a desperate search to rescue Officer Chen after her abduction and must attempt to get Rosalind to help them in their search. Meanwhile, after Officer Lopez discovers Wesley unconscious from a dangerous cocktail of alcohol and pills, she is forced to keep him close by.

    Director:David McWhirter
    Writers:Brynn Malone, Fredrick Kotto

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Rookie

    READ
  7. The Rookie Season 6 Episode 9 - The Squeeze
    9.2/10(42 votes)

    #7 - The Squeeze

    S6:E9

    Officer Nolan and Celina take on a special case; meanwhile, Monica enlists help to identify her attackers. Elsewhere, Lopez and Harper discover a connection to the trail of crimes.

    Director:Michael Goi
    Writers:Diana Mendez Boucher, Leland Jay Anderson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 2 - Fast Andy
    9.2/10(58 votes)

    #8 - Fast Andy

    S8:E2

    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.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Brynn Malone

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 8 - Grand Theft Aircraft
    9.2/10(32 votes)

    #9 - Grand Theft Aircraft

    S8:E8

    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.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Nick Hurwitz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 9 - Fun and Games
    9.2/10(31 votes)

    #10 - Fun and Games

    S8:E9

    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.

    Director:Stephanie Martin
    Writer:Madeleine Coghlan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Rookie Season 5 Episode 1 - Double Down
    9.1/10(217 votes)

    #11 - Double Down

    S5:E1

    Officer John Nolan is once again face-to-face with serial killer Rosalind, and she wants him to know she's not done with him yet. Meanwhile, officers Bradford and Chen work undercover with Detective Lopez and the Las Vegas Police Department to arrest leaders of a major criminal enterprise.

    Director:Tori Garrett
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Rookie Season 7 Episode 12 - April Fools
    9.1/10(67 votes)

    #12 - April Fools

    S7:E12

    An April Fools' prank on LAPD’s social media leads to citywide chaos. Meanwhile, John's T.O. skills are tested, Wesley is assigned a challenging case, and Tim and Lucy play a joke on the team.

    Director:Ryan Krayser
    Writer:Amanda Mercedes

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 3 - The Red Place
    9.1/10(45 votes)

    #13 - The Red Place

    S8:E3

    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.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writers:Alexi Hawley, Brynn Malone

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 7 - Baja
    9.1/10(28 votes)

    #14 - Baja

    S8:E7

    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.

    Director:Jon Huertas
    Writer:Amanda Mercedes

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 11 - Aftermath
    9.1/10(27 votes)

    #15 - Aftermath

    S8:E11

    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.

    Director:Tori Garrett
    Writer:Chelsea Urech

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 12 - Spy Games
    9.1/10(24 votes)

    #16 - Spy Games

    S8:E12

    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.

    Director:Antonio Negret
    Writers:Natalie Callaghan, Fatima Eldigair

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Rookie Season 1 Episode 16 - Greenlight
    9.0/10(44 votes)

    #17 - Greenlight

    S1:E16

    Officer Nolan gets a lesson in respect after his arrest of a gang member leads to a free-for-all on his life. Meanwhile, Officer Chen and Officer Bradford pull over Mario Lopez, who thinks he can talk his way out of a traffic violation.

    Director:Valerie Weiss
    Writer:Brynn Malone

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Rookie Season 6 Episode 1 - Strike Back
    9.0/10(895 votes)

    #18 - Strike Back

    S6:E1

    In the aftermath of the assaults, the team must now try to understand why they were targeted and if there is a bigger plan in place. Meanwhile, Nolan must survive his last shift before his wedding to Bailey.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Rookie Season 6 Episode 3 - Trouble in Paradise
    9.0/10(54 votes)

    #19 - Trouble in Paradise

    S6:E3

    Nolan and Bailey’s honeymoon is more of a nightmare than a dream when it turns into an active crime scene. Meanwhile, Tim and Celina partner up and must uncover the identity of John Doe.

    Director:TK Shom
    Writers:Glen Mazzara, Madeleine Coghlan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Rookie Season 6 Episode 4 - Training Day
    9.0/10(47 votes)

    #20 - Training Day

    S6:E4

    It's Officer Aaron Thorsen's first day back since the assault, and he's tasked with a series of high-stress cases to determine whether he's ready to work. Elsewhere, the team investigates a homicide case with a potential tie to the pentagram killer.

    Director:Tori Garrett
    Writers:Fredrick Kotto, Natalie Callaghan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Rookie Season 7 Episode 1 - The Shot
    9.0/10(390 votes)

    #21 - The Shot

    S7:E1

    Now recovering from a gunshot wound and feeling the effects of his age, John and the team welcome two new rookies and continue the hunt for two dangerous inmates with very personal vendettas following their prison escape.

    Director:Alexi Hawley
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 5 - The Network
    9.0/10(36 votes)

    #22 - The Network

    S8:E5

    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.

    Director:Ryan Krayser
    Writer:Fredrick Kotto

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Rookie Season 8 Episode 18 - The Bandit
    9.0/10(19 votes)

    #23 - The Bandit

    S8:E18

    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.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Rookie Season 5 Episode 22 - Under Siege
    8.9/10(55 votes)

    #24 - Under Siege

    S5:E22

    After one of their own is shot, the team suffers a series of close calls and realizes their division may be a target for a group of masked assailants.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Rookie Season 6 Episode 10 - Escape Plan
    8.9/10(56 votes)

    #25 - Escape Plan

    S6:E10

    Sgt. Grey helps the team prepare for their biggest mission yet. Meanwhile, Aaron, Lopez, Celina, Tim and Smitty discover a surprising connection in their case.

    Director:Bill Roe
    Writer:Alexi Hawley

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Out of Time" is the best rated episode of "The Rookie". It scored 9.5/10 based on 24 votes. Directed by John Terlesky and written by Moira Kirland, Amanda Mercedes, it aired on 4/20/2026. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Dead Ringer".