Pilot

I really like the new show featuring Nathan Fillion. The setting of the story and the characters make for an interesting show. The story helps illustrate that while wearing a common uniform police officers are individuals and not clones. They each have their strengths and weaknesses and personality quirks. Having been an LAPD officer in my youth (1971), I looked for familiar elements to my experience. The Rookie is nothing like the original Adam-12 series, episodes of which were actually shown in Academy classes back then to teach procedure. My training and experience was a world away from present-day policing. No body cams back then. Like Nolan I was assigned to an A-car, but its significance wasn't shown in the episode. The A-car is a component of community policing in Los Angeles, so that the assigned officers get to know a specific section of the city.

Some elements stood out to me as less than satisfactory. First, the story conflict of Sergeant Jones not accepting a 40-year old rookie seems overdone and artificial. Noland graduated the LAPD Academy, which is one of the toughest courses in America. Second, the review of equipment and procedure with the rookies by the T.O.'s was an unnecessary plot device and waste of story time. All those things were learned in the Academy, which includes actual duty in the field. Third, the fact that Noland fired his weapon at a suspect on his first day is unrealistic. The average police officer rarely fires his/her weapon in a crisis situation in their entire career. I certainly didn't in my short time with the LAPD.

It was a surprise that writer Alexi Hawley (who wrote and produced for Castle) introduced the sex factor in the pilot with Noland involved in an affair with a fellow cop, when it took Castle four years to get in bed with Becket. Also I had never before heard the term "badge bunny," but I certainly recall witnessing the phenomenon, especially in Hollywood where I served. Even with its flaws THE ROOKIE has great potential with its drama, action, humor and likable characters.

In Foxburg, Pennsylvania, the constructor John Nolan has just divorced his wife and former sweetheart. He goes to the bank and meets the manager Stacy to open his safe deposit box. Out of the blue, there is a heist and John protects Stacy that presses the alarm and summons the police.

Nine months later, the forties Nolan leaves the academy and joins LAPD as a rookie with his colleagues Lucy Chen and Jackson West. Sergeant Wade Grey immediately does not like Nolan, believing that he is living a mid-life crisis. Talia Bishop, Tim Bradford and Angela Lopez are assigned as training officers of Nolan, Chen and West respectively that need to prove their value in the police department. But the life of a rookie is not easy in the LAPD...

"Pilot" is the first episode of "The Rookie" and indicates a promising series that entwines crime and drama. Nathan Fillion, from "Firefly", uses his life experience to improve his training with Afton Williamson, but he does not have experience in police business. The gorgeous Melissa O'Neil finds a tough TO performed by Eric Winter that seems that will make her life not easy in the police department. And Titus Makin Jr. Has the burden of being the son of the powerful officer. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): Pilot"

This one had been loitering on my watchlist for years, but seeing Nathan Fillion swagger in the latest Superman finally gave me the nudge. Having adored him in Castle, I was curious how he'd fare swapping quips for Kevlar. And honestly? He's still got it.

The Rookie kicks off with a slick, if slightly formulaic, pilot... part police procedural, part personal reinvention tale. Fillion plays John Nolan, a freshly minted LAPD rookie pushing 40, navigating police academy flashbacks and real-time first-day chaos. The premise sounds like it could tilt into cliché, but Fillion sells it with that trademark mix of sincerity and wry charm. He's not just playing older... he feels weathered, without being weighed down.

The ensemble cast shows promise too, even if some characters are still in blueprint phase. Eric Winter as the hotshot training officer has presence, and the show's tone strikes a confident balance between stakes and levity. Direction and pacing are tight, with just enough action to keep it engaging without drowning in dramatics.

Verdict: A solid, polished start - and Fillion makes it worth the belated watch.

Rating: 7.5/10 - and yes, I'm finally in.

I watched hoping I would at least like the pilot episode and thankfully I did. I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't comparing John Nolan with Richard Castle. I will keep watching.

This is what you get when you mix End of Watch with Nate Fillion: an entertaining look at the workplace of an LA cop with depth, reality, action and some winking. Plus with Melissa O'Neil we have two ex-spaceship captains we don't want to miss out on! I'm thrilled!