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The Best Episodes of The Rookies Season 3

Every episode of The Rookies Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Rookies Season 3!

Binge this in 1d 0h•Peaking at 8.6/10

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
    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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 15 - The Saturday Night Special
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    S3:E15

    The dangers of owning a gun are explored when the rookies have to avenge the accidental shooting of a man who bought a gun to protect his family.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 16 - The Hunting Ground
    8.0/10(43 votes)

    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.

    Director:Bruce Bilson
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 1 - An Ugly Way to Die
    7.9/10(37 votes)

    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.

    Director:Harry Falk
    Writer:Daniel B. Ullman

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  9. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 10 - The Old Neighborhood
    7.9/10(35 votes)

    S3:E10

    Lt. Ryker steps from behind his desk to investigate a protection racket in the neighborhood where he grew up.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 18 - Angel
    7.9/10(40 votes)

    S3:E18

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

    Director:Bruce Bilson
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 6 - Judgment
    7.8/10(42 votes)

    S3:E6

    The son and daughter of a man who recently died in prison are determined to kill the judge who sentenced him. The rookies must guard the judge and find the criminals. Terry becomes their next target when he prevents their plans for the judge.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 9 - Vendetta
    7.8/10(35 votes)

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 23 - Cliffy
    7.8/10(41 votes)

    S3:E23

    A mentally retarded man, who longs to be a policeman, witnesses a murder in a gas station. But he has difficulty informing the police of what he saw.

    Director:Georg Stanford Brown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 8 - Prelude to Vengeance
    7.7/10(40 votes)

    S3:E8

    The rookies befriend the girlfriend of a robber after Terry delivers her baby and in return becomes the criminal's target. Unless the rookies can catch this man, the girl will be charged with the robbery.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 11 - A Test of Courage
    7.6/10(40 votes)

    S3:E11

    The Rookies must find those responsible for holding up gun shops throughout the city.

    Director:William Crain
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 13 - Blue Christmas
    7.5/10(51 votes)

    S3:E13

    It's Christmas Eve and after settling a number of routine disturbances around town, the rookies enjoy a Christmas dinner at the home of Jill and Mike Danko. Jill and Mike are also entertaining their niece who is upset over her parents' separation.

    Director:Bruce Bilson
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 21 - S.W.A.T. (2)
    7.5/10(34 votes)

    S3:E21

    Conclusion. 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Robert Hamner

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  18. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 17 - Solomon's Dilemma
    7.3/10(42 votes)

    S3:E17

    A woman's son is kidnapped in a supermarket parking lot but when questioned by the rookies she denies the entire incident. Her and her husband are afraid because they adopted the boy illegally and the kidnappers are the natural parents.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 4 - Death at 6 A.M.
    6.9/10(39 votes)

    S3:E4

    Four young people out for excitement in a stolen pickup become fugitives from the law when their fun turns into murder and robbery. Rookie Chris Owens is on the case after his partner is killed, but Chris wonders whether the dangers of police life are worth it.

    Director:Harry Falk
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 5 - Walk a Tightrope
    6.9/10(39 votes)

    S3:E5

    Two law students, seeking revenge for the death of a girl, frame Terry Webster, whom they hold responsible for the murder of a store guard.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 7 - Johnny Lost His Gun
    6.9/10(38 votes)

    S3:E7

    Mike is alarmed to find out from his wife and fellow rookies that an old Air Force friend of his is a heroin pusher.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 12 - The Assassin
    6.9/10(35 votes)

    S3:E12

    A photographer friend of Chris' accidentally catches a hired assassin in one of her shots. The rookies must protect the girl and at the same time figure out who this man is trying to assassinate.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 14 - Take Over
    6.9/10(33 votes)

    S3:E14

    After a syndicate boss is arrested, the rest of the gang plot to take over and continue their work. They are intent on killing Lt. Ryker. The rookies must put the rest of this gang behind bars.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 24 - Nightmare
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    S3:E24

    Kate Jackson takes center stage in this thriller-styled episode. After being involved in a car accident on a stormy night an injured Jill becomes the prisoner of a disturbed man, who claims to be a doctor.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"S.W.A.T. (1)" is the best rated episode of "The Rookies" season 3. It scored 8.6/10 based on 32 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Robert Hamner, it aired on 2/17/1975. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Legacy of Death".