Pilot

The Pilot episode of The Rookie stars the always-terrific Nathan Fillion. His blend of masculine soft-snark, charm, and heart make for a solid and engaging center for the new series about a 40-ish year old man who seeks a new purpose in his life as a rookie officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. The initial outing is funny, fast-moving, and crammed full of character introductions with hints at a multitude backstories. The music is fresh, the camera work interesting, and there is some ubiquitous sex and violence (apparently to be sure and remind the audience that this is a cop show...). Not a perfect offering to be sure: while the supporting cast is solid, several of the character setups felt forced and telegraphed (far too loudly) what we should expect to see unfold in the follow-on episodes. In the end though is was entertaining. The Pilot episode of The Rookie was fun (albeit a bit scattershot in presentation) and earned its sophomore episode a reason to tune in.

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.

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.

Being from Los Angeles and knowing the streets well this was a great insight into the prospective of an LAPD officer! Officer Nolan's perspective and his calling and his origin was succinct and captivating and anecdotal! The action started from the beginning the plot was easy to follow I really really thoroughly enjoyed the writing the acting the casting and the backdrop of Los Angeles was like being home again! The simultaneous stories of these rookies trying to make it in LA's tough streets put me right into their shoes and I was entertained from beginning to end! Growing up in a world of BLM I was actually for the first time on the side of the police as I see their struggles and the adversity they face everyday! It was easy to cheer for this cool white guy! I'm eager to watch more episodes! 🤜🏽🤛🏽

I will keep it short since I am at work, and have to rewrite this.

We are introduced to John Nolan. And at first it starts off like any other show... We meet the main character.

Later we get another pilot, we are in L.A. and we are introduced to the Police Officers who will be the main characters of this series, including the Rookies and their Training Officers.

We get to see the differences in each Rookie, as well as the differences in their TOs and how they train their Rookie Police Officers.

The first thing that might be hard for some is, these are Police Officers, not Cadets in the academy (yes, I to like Police Academy, but that's a different story... Focus Rookie).

We get to see and learn from the Rookies first day, get an insight into what it might be like being a real(ish) Rookie Police Officer as the Training Officers throw their Rookies into the wild to see how they handle themselves. Again, each Rookie and Training officer have their own unique style, sometimes it works well together, sometimes it's a disaster.

I was expecting another Hawaii Five-O (Zero?), NCIS, or CSI like show... This is soo unique feeling to me. Instantly addicted to the show. 1 hour is not enough for me... This almost felt like a mini movie. Not too long, not too short, perfectly nestled with a 1 hour (shorter minus commercials).

I will be binging this in the future. The closest police series, I would have to say would be Flashpoint. Another show I could not get enough of. TUESDAY nights at 10 EST - ABC's new hit show!