The Rookie Episode 2
The Rookie’s second episode started off with a police chase and impressively continued to rev up to its conclusion.
Do we need to review high-speed pursuit protocol?
To remind us this is inherently a drama about the LAPD, the opening scene spun off with a high pursuit chase led by John Nolan (Nathan Fillion, Castle).
Talia Bishop (Afton Williamson) rode shotgun and criticized every move John did (or didn’t do) as they chase a red Jeep to a location unknown. John missed opportunities to execute a PIT maneuver. John quoted police regulations back. Classic rookie behavior and the amusing banter between John and Talia almost made me forget this was a typical opening for any cop show.
And then the bride stepped out of the Jeep.
As John had said: “Seriously?”
My life is a country song.
The pilot presented us with the usual elements, only to flip it around and made it anything but the ordinary. I’m happy to report the second episode was no different.
The ubiquitous high-speed police chase ended with a sympathetic talk between John and the would-be jumper bride. John shared a downturn in his life, a lottery ticket and a touching moment when John turned the story to one of hope for the bride. It was heartfelt—insert warm fuzzies here—the bride reached for John’s hand…
…and promptly tipped over to dangle over the Hollywood sign, John clutching her fluffy white wedding train to keep her from plummeting down the hills below.
Thus the second episode began: adjacent to the ordinary. Just when you least expect it, someone or something surprised us to remind us The Rookie isn’t just your average cop drama.
That is painfully romantic.
Bishop warned Lucy (Melissa O’Neil), to end things with John. However, it appeared things between them stayed the same: furtive yet sweet. However, both John and Lucy separately seemed to realize this shouldn’t continue, yet they avoided discussing it.
I’m not a fan of the invented drama of romance in the workplace. So far, other than a few domestic scenes, the characters seemed determined to keep it out of the workplace.
But as we know with 99.99% of the shows out there, it never stays that way for long. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the fallout will not ruin the dynamics among the cast.
Checkout time, Officer.
Despite what the show’s title implies, it’s nice we’re starting to get a glimpse of the TOs as well.
The trio of training officers shared a good-natured moment when Bishop and Lopez came to pick up Tim. Bishop, Bradford and Lopez weren’t given much screen time except for whenever they’re with their rookies. This is a different side to the rigid façade they presented their rookies. It’s one I hope we get to see more often to flesh out these three characters and see they’re far more than career driven and brash talking officers.
Honeymoon’s over.
And then, we have Sergeant Grey (Richard T. Jones, Hawaii five-O) . The watch commander, still unimpressed with John, hassled and nitpick every possible mistake. To John’s credit, he responded with a balance of wry humor, long-suffering patience, but never with insubordination.
It’s good to see Grey wasn’t written as the stereotypical bully commanding officer. He’s upfront with his legitimate concerns about John; the uniform and the safety of the officers under his watch are always his priority. When Bishop challenged West for the ‘friendly fire’ she endured as John’s TO, Grey pointed out she was being tested as well. Inadvertently (or was it on purpose?), this may have pushed Bishop and John closer in camaraderie.
3, 5, 21
The joke throughout this episode was the fact John and patrol cars didn’t mix. To the point, in fact, the motor pool had enough and gave John and Talia an antique patrol car after John wrecked the other one.
As running gags go, it was cute and balanced nicely against the darker turn of events when they ran into—literally—a kidnap victim. Christine escaped but left another behind. And from that point on, the episode lost a bit of the laughter as the officers tried to find where the woman escaped from.
This episode was about reality checks on both sides of the coin. John’s expectations of one big brotherhood were somewhat shattered when he found himself up against an “us versus them” attitude with the detectives within the station.
I just hope protecting you doesn’t get me killed.
Lopez, still fuming over Jackson’s (Titus Makin) freezing up at the shootout, took all the high-risk calls to test her rookie’s ability. Was it hazing? Was it Lopez’s way to punish Jackson? As for Jackson, that shiny enthusiasm he displayed in the pilot dulled as his confidence took a hit.
Rock stars don’t pack-mule the gear.
Chen, with Bradford on medical leave, received a new TO, Officer Scott Wrigley. Her moment of relief turned into dismay when she realized Wrigley was the complete opposite of Bradford. Wrigley was a cheerful officer happier to write tickets and keeping his gun in his holster.
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