The Rookies backdrop
Drama•Crime

The Worst Episodes of The Rookies

Every episode of The Rookies ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Rookies!

Binge this in 3d 20h•Peaking at 9.1/10

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

Airs on
ABC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons4

All1234

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    The Rookies Season 3 Episode 24 - Nightmare
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - Nightmare

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 3 - One-Way Street to Nowhere
    6.1/10(25 votes)

    #2 - One-Way Street to Nowhere

    S4:E3

    Mike is critically injured when he tries to capture the leader of a militant group and Terry is taken hostage.

    Director:Georg Stanford Brown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 11 - Invitation to a Rumble
    6.2/10(25 votes)

    #3 - Invitation to a Rumble

    S4:E11

    Terry is run down by a car driven by the leader of a street gang in his old neighborhood. When one of the members of the gang is overheard calling for an ambulance, he is forced to kill Terry or he will be killed by the gang for betrayal.

    Director:George McCowan
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 22 - Deliver Me From Innocence
    6.3/10(21 votes)

    #4 - Deliver Me From Innocence

    S4:E22

    A frightened sixteen-year-old boy is forced to take the blame for the crimes of a junkie he has become mixed up with. The two had committed a burglary and escaped after killing a cop. The boy is Terry's current girlfriend's brother.

    Director:Richard Benedict
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 6 - Reign of Terror
    6.4/10(23 votes)

    #5 - Reign of Terror

    S4:E6

    Young crooks Pat Stevens and Glen Barton rob ticket agent Brewster and shoot rookie Chris. The scene is witnessed by mailman Charlie Brooks, who is adamant about not getting involved. Eventually his wife, Nadine, and daughter, Stacy, encourage him to cooperate with the rookies, and finally, the criminals are apprehended.

    Director:Fernando Lamas
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 2 - Reading Writing and Angel Dust
    6.6/10(33 votes)

    #6 - Reading Writing and Angel Dust

    S4:E2

    After the tragic death of a bright high school student, the rookies put in a team effort to get the pushers off the school campus. They get some help from a pusher who is pretending to scorch for the source.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Rookies

    READ
  7. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 3 - The Informant
    6.8/10(37 votes)

    #7 - The Informant

    S1:E3

    Officer's Webster and Gillis try to help a young man break away from two thugs who are using him as their wheel-man for robberies they are committing. But when the thugs take his girlfriend hostage it complicates their efforts.

    Director:Leonard Horn
    Writer:Rance Howard

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 5 - Walk a Tightrope
    6.8/10(35 votes)

    #8 - Walk a Tightrope

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 7 - Johnny Lost His Gun
    6.9/10(33 votes)

    #9 - Johnny Lost His Gun

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 12 - The Assassin
    6.9/10(31 votes)

    #10 - The Assassin

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 1 - Concrete Valley, Neon Sky
    7.0/10(63 votes)

    #11 - Concrete Valley, Neon Sky

    S1:E1

    In the introductory episode of the series, the presence of several street gangs contributes to a tension-filled atmosphere. The Rookies are assigned with the challenge of maintaining order amongst the rivaling street gangs, with Willie Gillis arising as the mediator between the gangs.

    Director:Leonard Horn
    Writer:Larry Brody

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 23 - Journey to Oblivion
    7.0/10(24 votes)

    #12 - Journey to Oblivion

    S4:E23

    A gambler kills his creditor and is witnessed by Jill Danko whom he and his accomplice must now do away with. Another episode dedicated to nurse Jill Danko. In this episode Jill bears a big resemblance to her later character Sabrina Duncan.

    Director:Georg Stanford Brown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 14 - Take Over
    7.1/10(28 votes)

    #13 - Take Over

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 23 - Death Watch
    7.2/10(29 votes)

    #14 - Death Watch

    S2:E23

    Two ex-convicts are loose in the city carrying contagious meningitis. After Willie is exposed to it when he gives the ex-convict mouth - to – mouth resuscitation, the other rookies are given the task of finding the men and stopping a possible epidemic.

    Director:Philip Leacock
    Writer:Alvin Boretz

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 4 - Death at 6 A.M.
    7.2/10(35 votes)

    #15 - Death at 6 A.M.

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 13 - Blue Christmas
    7.2/10(46 votes)

    #16 - Blue Christmas

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 7 - Death Lady
    7.2/10(27 votes)

    #17 - Death Lady

    S4:E7

    A female officer is blamed for her partner's death during a jewelry store robbery. With her new partner, Mike, she sets out to solve the crime and prove her worth to the police department.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 18 - Point of Impact
    7.3/10(26 votes)

    #18 - Point of Impact

    S1:E18

    Terry investigates an old friend's apparently purposeless attack on a cop.

    Director:Gene Nelson
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Rookies Season 3 Episode 17 - Solomon's Dilemma
    7.3/10(34 votes)

    #19 - Solomon's Dilemma

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 16 - Shadow of a Man
    7.3/10(22 votes)

    #20 - Shadow of a Man

    S4:E16

    Forest, a tough career cop, takes $10,000 from the scene of a robbery after his partner is killed by the robbers. Lt. Ryker puts an undercover investigator on the case to retrieve the money.

    Director:Fernando Lamas
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 17 - The Late Mr. Brent
    7.4/10(28 votes)

    #21 - The Late Mr. Brent

    S2:E17

    Mike and Jill Danko's marriage is strained by Mike's protective interest in the widow of a man Mike was forced to kill in the line of duty.

    Directors:Barry Shear, Gene Nelson
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Rookies Season 2 Episode 20 - Something Less Than a Man
    7.4/10(30 votes)

    #22 - Something Less Than a Man

    S2:E20

    An old friend of Ryker's, once a good policeman and now a pathetic drunk, is framed for the murder of a gangster who has terrorized the neighborhood. To gain favor from his daughter and neighbors, he pleads guilty, but Lt. Ryker, with the help of the rookies, finds a better way to give the man back his dignity.

    Director:Philip Leacock
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Rookies Season 4 Episode 8 - Measure of Mercy
    7.4/10(25 votes)

    #23 - Measure of Mercy

    S4:E8

    The rookies must investigate a robbery at Memorial Hospital. The blood bank was robbed and its contents sold to the black market, leaving an infant at the hospital on the critical list.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 2 - Dead, Like a Lost Dream
    7.5/10(48 votes)

    #24 - Dead, Like a Lost Dream

    S1:E2

    The division is under investigation for misconduct, following several citizen complaints. When a complaint against African-American Officer Webster contains no racial references despite its strong wording, Webster suspects an impostor, and evidence begins to suggest a police academy washout in uniform.

    Director:Leonard Horn
    Writer:Larry Brody

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Rookies Season 1 Episode 21 - Life Robbery (a.k.a.) Tribute to a Veteran
    7.5/10(31 votes)

    #25 - Life Robbery (a.k.a.) Tribute to a Veteran

    S1:E21

    The rookies try to disengage a robbery network by leaving the undesirable city slums and working in the suburbs. They discover that the main suspect is a dear, old friend of Lieutenant Ryker's. The man is also a special security guard of the community.

    Director:Harry Falk
    Writer:William Blinn

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Nightmare" is the worst rated episode of "The Rookies". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/17/1975. This episode scored 6.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "One-Way Street to Nowhere".