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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!

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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 working in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Rookies Season 1 Episode 10 - To Taste of Terror
    8.6/10(55 votes)

    S1:E10

    In an effort to prove he's no 'old man', Officer Danko chases down a fleeing criminal. While he succeeds in apprehending the thief, his partners Webster and Gillis fail to catch the criminal's brother, who is also running from the law. Danko testifies in court against the criminal he caught, thereby infuriating the brother who is unassumingly observing in the courtroom.

    Directors:Ralph Senensky, Jerry Jameson
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 16 - The Authentic Death of Billy Stomper
    8.6/10(39 votes)

    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.

    Director:Gene Nelson
    Writer:William Blinn

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  3. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 20 - S.W.A.T. (1)
    8.6/10(32 votes)

    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).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Robert Hamner

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  4. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 17 - Snow Job
    8.5/10(39 votes)

    S1:E17

    Country, a small time hood with a cocaine addiction, learns that police HQ is storing a large amount of drugs. He becomes involved to steal the cache before it's destroyed. Webster is taken hostage trying to help Country beat his problem.

    Directors:Gene Nelson, Ralph Senensky
    Writer:William Douglas Lansford

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  5. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 19 - Eyewitness
    8.5/10(32 votes)

    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.

    Director:Barry Shear
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 3 - Legacy of Death
    8.5/10(38 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Rookies

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  7. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 19 - Three Hours to Kill
    8.4/10(45 votes)

    S1:E19

    A daring plan is crafted by a convict's wife to release a prisoner from incarceration: an innocent and helpless police officer, who is undergoing surgery, is taken hostage. The rest of the medical staff in the operating room is also put at risk, including Mike Danko's wife, Jill.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 18 - The Teacher
    8.4/10(48 votes)

    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.

    Director:Gene Nelson
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 14 - Rabbits on the Runway
    8.3/10(52 votes)

    S1:E14

    A shady man claims to be the father of a runaway teen who's recently crossed the path of Gills. The rookies set out to find her for him unaware he has lied to them from the start.

    Director:Gene Nelson
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 22 - A Farewell Tree from Marly
    8.3/10(44 votes)

    S1:E22

    The rookies are presented with a ""difficult"" court case. While the case is essentially an open and shut, obvious manslaughter conviction, trouble arises: the most important element in the conviction, the only witness, is discovered to suffer from mental retardation.

    Directors:Harry Falk, Lou Antonio
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 2 - Margin for Error
    8.3/10(40 votes)

    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.

    Director:Harry Falk
    Writers:Hoke Howell, Robert Harland

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  12. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 11 - Down Home Boy
    8.3/10(40 votes)

    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.

    Director:Leonard Horn
    Writer:Paul Savage

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  13. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 19 - The Shield
    8.3/10(36 votes)

    S3:E19

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

    Director:Fernando Lamas
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 5 - Ladies Day (a.k.a.) Ladies Kill, Too
    8.3/10(40 votes)

    S4:E5

    Jill is working in a womens prison, fighting an outbreak of diphtheria. In order to protest for better food and working conditions, inmates take Jill Danko and Dr. Malcolm hostage.

    Director:Fernando Lamas
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 19 - From Out of the Darkness
    8.3/10(31 votes)

    S4:E19

    Terry vows to find the murderer of Dan Kennedy, a retired cop turned security guard. Dan was the father of a blind girl, Terry's former girlfriend.

    Director:Randal Kleiser
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 7 - A Matter of Justice (a.k.a.) Justice for Jill Danko
    8.2/10(37 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 8 - Blood Brother
    8.2/10(33 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 9 - Code 261
    8.2/10(43 votes)

    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.

    Director:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 2 - Key Witness
    8.2/10(40 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 15 - The Code Five Affair
    8.2/10(37 votes)

    S4:E15

    The rookies stake out an abandoned factory where a heroin deal is about to take place, and are able to seize the drugs and arrest all but one man. This man must get the heroin back from the police.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 12 - A Bloody Shade of Blue
    8.1/10(44 votes)

    S1:E12

    Investigating a shooting, the Rookies learn the victim Miller wore a police uniform as a costume. In the next attack, Webster loses his sight temporarily; despite this disability, he helps break the case.

    Director:William F. Claxton
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 15 - Tarnished Idol
    8.1/10(42 votes)

    S1:E15

    Gills arrests a washed up fighter (Lou Antonio) who's still connected enough to get bailed out in hours. The bitter drunk decides to fire bomb Gills for revenge.

    Directors:Gene Nelson, Leonard Horn
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 23 - Easy Money
    8.1/10(39 votes)

    S1:E23

    The rookies may be confronted with a problem worse than the nurse who holds a grudge against all police officers: they discover that her younger brother is associating with thugs who are the organizers of a current neighborhood protection scandal.

    Director:Lou Antonio
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 12 - Lots of Trees and a Running Stream
    8.1/10(39 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 22 - A Deadly Image
    8.1/10(57 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"To Taste of Terror" is the best rated episode of "The Rookies". It scored 8.6/10 based on 55 votes. Directed by Ralph Senensky, Jerry Jameson and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/20/1972. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Authentic Death of Billy Stomper".