The Rookie
The Rookie
Starting over isn't easy, especially for John Nolan who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of joining the LAPD. As their oldest rookie, he's met with skepticism from those who see him as just a walking midlife crisis.
Callum reviewedOctober 22, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
If Blue Lights is Warhammer 40K with badges, then The Rookie is what happens when someone paints the grimdark universe pastel and hands everyone emotional support doughnuts.
This is a very American show — not in a bad way, but in that “everything’s going to be OK by the time the credits roll” sort of optimism that could single-handedly power the Los Angeles grid. Even when bullets fly and lives fall apart, there’s an almost magical certainty that someone will crack a smile, deliver a life-affirming speech, and the background music will cue up a “we’re all in this together” vibe.
It’s the TV equivalent of a golden retriever: loyal, heroic, occasionally ridiculous, but always ready to make you feel better about the world. In a landscape where Blue Lights is busy punching existential dread in the face, The Rookie shows up with cupcakes and says, “Hey, maybe we can talk this out.”
You could say Blue Lights is a trench fight under a rain-soaked sky, while The Rookie is a sunny-day parade with good coffee and a morale boost. Both belong in your watchlist — just don’t expect them to inhabit the same galaxy.