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The Rookies

Season 1

23 listed hours · 1972–1976 · ABC

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From the desk

How this season is filed

Filed by Vivian Cross · The Carpet Report

Young cops learn the badge on Spelling-Goldberg earnestness: idealism, brutality plots, and Kate Jackson before Charlie's Angels glamour. Youth-focused police ensemble bridging Mod Squad energy into the mid-1970s. Rookies who still believe the job, then get corrected by the street without losing the hour's pulse.

TV Flash files Season 1 of The Rookies (1972–1976) on ABC as the first listed season of 4 — 23 listed hours, 1972-09-11–1973-03-19 from “Concrete Valley, Neon Sky” (S01E01) to “Easy Money” (S01E23). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.

Desk essentials in this season

  1. S01E01 Concrete Valley, Neon Sky

    Concrete Valley, Neon Sky opens youth-focused police earnestness. Rookies who still believe the job: Mod Squad energy into the mid-1970s, Jackson before Angels glamour, the street already correcting.

  2. S01E12 A Bloody Shade of Blue

    A Bloody Shade of Blue is the badge title as a bruise. Idealism meeting brutality plots: Spelling-Goldberg ensemble still sincere, the rookies still learning, the neon still a warning.

  1. S01E01

    Concrete Valley, Neon Sky

    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.

  2. S01E02

    Dead, Like a Lost Dream

    Cops vs. cops as internal-affairs personnel investigate rumors of police shakedowns. Prime suspects: Ryker's rookies.

  3. S01E03

    The Informant

    The Informant — Season 1, Episode 3 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-09-25. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  4. S01E04

    The Commitment

    The Commitment — Season 1, Episode 4 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-10-02. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  5. S01E05

    Covenant with Death

    Covenant with Death — Season 1, Episode 5 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-10-09. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  6. S01E06

    Time is the Fire

    Time is the Fire — Season 1, Episode 6 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-10-16. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  7. S01E07

    The Bear That Didn't Get Up

    The Bear That Didn't Get Up — Season 1, Episode 7 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-10-23. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  8. S01E08

    Dirge for Sunday

    Dirge for Sunday — Season 1, Episode 8 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-10-30. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  9. S01E09

    The Good Die Young

    The Good Die Young — Season 1, Episode 9 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-11-13. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  10. S01E10

    To Taste of Terror

    To Taste of Terror — Season 1, Episode 10 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-11-20. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  11. S01E11

    A Deadly Velocity

    A Deadly Velocity — Season 1, Episode 11 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-11-27. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  12. S01E12

    A Bloody Shade of Blue

    This episode centers on a pair of masked thugs who are on a vendetta to kill police officers. In the opener, they are on a rooftop and shoot a guy named Karl Miller that they assumed was a cop, because they had previously (not shown) seen him dressed as a cop from a masquerade party. The SCPD investigates the motive of the thugs, who target Officer Terry Webster as their next victim. They shoot at him in his police car, shattering the windshield glass into his eyes, temporarily blinding him. During his hospital stay, he bonds with a nurse, Lynn Everett. She helps him and they form a friendship. After Terry is released from the hospital--his eyes still bandaged--he and Lynn go on a picnic, where the criminals chase them down, with the intention of killing Terry, so he can't identify them. Lynn calls for help, Terry helps subdue the thugs and he regains his sight at the end. This episode is very touching and emotional, from Terry being scared that he may never see again, to Lynn sharing that she led a sheltered life and had never communicated with a black person before and didn't know how to. This is one not to be missed!

  13. S01E13

    A Very Special Piece of Ground

    A Very Special Piece of Ground — Season 1, Episode 13 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-12-18. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  14. S01E14

    Rabbits on the Runway

    Rabbits on the Runway — Season 1, Episode 14 of The Rookies. Aired 1972-12-25. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  15. S01E15

    Tarnished Idol

    Tarnished Idol — Season 1, Episode 15 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-01-08. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  16. S01E16

    Crossfire

    Crossfire — Season 1, Episode 16 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-01-15. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  17. S01E17

    Snow Job

    Snow Job — Season 1, Episode 17 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-01-29. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  18. S01E18

    Point of Impact

    Point of Impact — Season 1, Episode 18 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-02-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  19. S01E19

    Three Hours to Kill

    Three Hours to Kill — Season 1, Episode 19 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-02-12. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  20. S01E20

    The Wheel of Fortune (a.k.a.) The Wheel of Death

    The Wheel of Fortune (a.k.a.) The Wheel of Death — Season 1, Episode 20 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-02-19. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  21. S01E21

    Life Robbery (a.k.a.) Tribute to a Veteran

    Life Robbery (a.k.a.) Tribute to a Veteran — Season 1, Episode 21 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-02-26. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  22. S01E22

    A Farewell Tree From Marly

    A Farewell Tree From Marly — Season 1, Episode 22 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-03-05. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

  23. S01E23

    Easy Money

    Easy Money — Season 1, Episode 23 of The Rookies. Aired 1973-03-19. Full plot synopsis not yet on file; see the show package for context.

More from the 1970s.