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The Best Episodes of The Rookies

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

The Best Episodes of The Rookies

The Rookies is an American crime drama series that aired on ABC from 1972 until 1976. It follows the exploits of three rookie police officers...

Seasons4

  1. Background image for The Authentic Death of Billy Stomper
    9.1/10(28 votes)

    #1 - The Authentic Death of Billy Stomper

    S2:E16

    A college girl from Jamaica witnesses the murder of a notorious drug pusher and Terry Webster is assigned to get her testimony in the days that follow, they fall in love, but the girl is tracked down by the murderer and killed. Terry uses himself as a decoy to trap the killers.

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    Director:Gene Nelson
  2. Background image for Down Home Boy
    8.8/10(28 votes)

    #2 - Down Home Boy

    S2:E11

    A telethon featuring an extremely famous country western singer requests of the police department extra protection. The rookies are assigned to the event. Their placement on this assignment results in their protecting the singer from a couple of bitter and unforgiving country folk from Tennessee. The hillbillies hold the singer responsible for the death of their sister, who died while she was giving birth.

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    Director:Leonard Horn
  3. Background image for The Teacher
    8.8/10(34 votes)

    #3 - The Teacher

    S2:E18

    The rookies must contend with 'The Teacher' an ex-convict who masterminds several well executed robberies using the young boys who are in the city looking for excitement.

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    Director:Gene Nelson
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Eyewitness
    8.8/10(21 votes)

    #4 - Eyewitness

    S2:E19

    A young man with a Jekyll - Hyde personality becomes a puzzle for Terry and Willie when he gives them a description of a suspected cop-killer. But for Mike and Ryker he poses a different problem: extreme danger.

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    Director:Barry Shear
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for A Matter of Justice (a.k.a.) Justice for Jill Danko
    8.7/10(26 votes)

    #5 - A Matter of Justice (a.k.a.) Justice for Jill Danko

    S2:E7

    Jill Danko is seriously wounded by a seemingly demented gunman while dining with her husband Mike. Later, they find out that the gunman is unable to be prosecuted in court, because he is suffering from a brain tumor which appears to be the cause of his action. The rookies take it upon themselves to prove the man is dangerous and can place society in jeopardy.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Code 261
    8.7/10(31 votes)

    #6 - Code 261

    S2:E9

    A young nurse suffers a terrifying ordeal when she is raped in the underground garage of Memorial Hospital. The rookies attempt to help the woman by offering support. They offer encouragement and assistance as the woman proceeds through the legal formalities which often are unsympathetic to the rape victim, and sometimes humiliate her.

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    Writer:Unknown
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Rookies

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  8. Background image for The Shield
    8.7/10(27 votes)

    #7 - The Shield

    S3:E19

    The rookies are involved in a case of mistaken identity when they charge the wrong man with the murder of a policeman.

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    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for S.W.A.T. (1)
    8.7/10(25 votes)

    #8 - S.W.A.T. (1)

    S3:E20

    Harrelson is the head of the Special Weapons and Tactics team, a unit trained to handle unusually volatile situations. His hard-nosed attitude about police work irks rookie Terry Webster. (This Rookies episode served as the pilot for the S.W.A.T. series).

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    Director:Unknown
  10. Background image for Legacy of Death
    8.6/10(29 votes)

    #9 - Legacy of Death

    S3:E3

    Chris is partnered with a patrolman who gets involved in suicidal situations so that he might be killed in the line of duty and his family would be secure with financial compensation.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Blood Brother
    8.5/10(23 votes)

    #10 - Blood Brother

    S2:E8

    Like many Vietnam veterans returning home after the war, Jimmy Webster is angry at society for treating him as if he was an outsider, and not openly accepting him. He is unable to find employment and is left with an important decision to make: either he can fall back on his cousin, Terry Webster, and turn to him for support, or he can join a robbery operation and make a large amount of money.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Lots of Trees and a Running Stream
    8.5/10(26 votes)

    #11 - Lots of Trees and a Running Stream

    S2:E12

    Jill is confronted by her past when a former lover of hers appears at her home. Mike is currently out of town. The unanticipated visitor gives the impression that he is fatally ill, thereby luring Jill into becoming involved with him, despite her uncertainty. Only after a period of time does Jill realize the great lengths this former lover will go to try to get her back and claim her as his own.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for A Deadly Image
    8.5/10(42 votes)

    #12 - A Deadly Image

    S3:E22

    A look into Lt. Ryker's more sensetive side has him befriending a young, mixed-up girl who reminds him of the daughter he was forced to give up for adoption. The girl's boyfriend persuades her to use her friendship with Ryker for his criminal gain.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Margin for Error
    8.4/10(30 votes)

    #13 - Margin for Error

    S2:E2

    While performing their routine patrol, Gillis and Danko unexpectedly stumble upon a robbery that is taking place. They radio for additional support and a veteran police team arrive at the crime scene. One of the veteran policeman is killed in the midst of the robbery, and his partner places fault on Danko. The veteran policeman makes the suggestion that Danko be appointed to ride with him, a suggestion that turns out to have almost catastrophic results.

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    Director:Harry Falk
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Deadly Cage
    8.4/10(23 votes)

    #14 - Deadly Cage

    S2:E3

    Webster is asked to play the role of a prisoner at the State Prison. He disguises himself as an inmate, in an effort to aid the issue of prison reform. However, when the other prisoners discover that Webster is merely pretending to be a fellow inmate, pandemonium results.

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    Director:Leonard Horn
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Prayers Unanswered, Prayers Unheard
    8.4/10(25 votes)

    #15 - Prayers Unanswered, Prayers Unheard

    S2:E10

    Lieutenant Ryker is selected to be personally in charge of an important investigation. A priest is murdered and a nun is badly beaten in a destitute neighborhood, and the community worries that religious restlessness with arise. As the investigation progresses, the rookies uncover a completely different motive.

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  17. Background image for Rolling Thunder
    8.4/10(18 votes)

    #16 - Rolling Thunder

    S2:E21

    The Ludlow precinct institutes a Police Cadet Program. One of the boys involved becomes overzealous and is kidnapped, along with Terry, by his sister's boyfriend who is a fugitive.

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  18. Background image for Key Witness
    8.4/10(31 votes)

    #17 - Key Witness

    S3:E2

    The murder of a construction company owner is witnessed by a woman and her married boyfriend, a doctor. Because of the possibility of a scandal, the doctor will not allow the girl to give information to the rookies. They do not know that the killers are now after the witnesses.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for The Hunting Ground
    8.4/10(32 votes)

    #18 - The Hunting Ground

    S3:E16

    Mike's eager new partner proves to be a little too eager when he is found spending his off hours hunting for pushers because his younger brother died of an overdose.

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    Director:Bruce Bilson
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Angel
    8.4/10(26 votes)

    #19 - Angel

    S3:E18

    The rookies must find ample evidence to arrest Tommy, who introduces young girls into unsavory careers for monetary gain.

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    Director:Bruce Bilson
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Frozen Smoke
    8.3/10(29 votes)

    #20 - Frozen Smoke

    S2:E4

    Juvenile detail is typically known to be a relatively easy tour. However, this is not the case for Willie. While on juvenile detail, Willie discovers that he is not as emotionally strong as he once thought. He is presented with pain and death, in amounts that are greater than he can manage.

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    Director:Harry Falk
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Get Ryker
    8.2/10(22 votes)

    #21 - Get Ryker

    S2:E5

    Jill, Danko's wife, is assigned to protect Lieutenant Ryker after he is wounded by a former prisoner who desires to take revenge. However, Ryker decides to take charge of the situation when Jill's life is at stake.

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    Director:Leonard Horn
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Sound of Silence
    8.2/10(26 votes)

    #22 - Sound of Silence

    S2:E14

    One of Willie's young female friends is desperately afraid when she discovers that she is afflicted with diabetes. After she makes the realization, the young woman flees to a drug rehabilitation center, to be around the other young people whom she trusts. However, she neglects to bring her insulin.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for An Ugly Way to Die
    8.2/10(26 votes)

    #23 - An Ugly Way to Die

    S3:E1

    Terry Webster breaks in his new partner, junior rookie Chris Owens, searching for an arsonist. Someone is responsible for the murder of several firemen, all young, dark-haired and moustached.

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  25. Background image for Vendetta
    8.2/10(23 votes)

    #24 - Vendetta

    S3:E9

    A policeman who was injured in a market holdup returns to the force after a ten year recovery, in pursuit of the man he thinks is responsible for shooting him.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Cauldron
    8.1/10(25 votes)

    #25 - Cauldron

    S2:E1

    Willie and Terry are kidnapped by a disturbed criminal who is dying. The criminal leaves the two rookies in the desert, abandoned, with no food source and little hope of being rescued. Willie, in this situation, struggles to saves Terry's life.

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    Director:Harry Falk

Best Episodes Summary

"The Authentic Death of Billy Stomper" is the best rated episode of "The Rookies". It scored 9.1/10 based on 28 votes. Directed by Gene Nelson and written by William Blinn, it aired on 1/14/1974. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Down Home Boy".