‘The Rookie’ Season Finale ‘Free Fall’ Recap: Terror Threat

The Rookie and his peers finally approach their judgment day. After frantically rushing to complete the exam requirements, a change of plan happens. In what seemed to be a slow day before the exams, the unexpected occurs. A Terror Threat endangers the entire city of Los Angeles. With the deadly virus and the terrorists at large, the Police Force must rush but at the same time, remain calm.

On Tuesday night’s Season Finale of The Rookie, Rookie Officers John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), and Jackson West (Titus Makin Jr.) prepare for their Oral Examination. However, the discovery of a possible virus outbreak postpones the exams. In a race against time, the brave men and women of the LAPD track and apprehend the terrorists to prevent the viral outbreak.

Go Easy

ABC

The first six hours of the rookies’ shift involved going on patrol, but Sergeant Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones) instructed the training officers to take it easy on their boots. However, Officer Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) was having none of it. Regardless of whether or not Lucy passes the test, Tim will still judge every move she makes on the field. On the other hand, Officer Angela Lopez (Alyssa Diaz) insisted that if Jackson fails to get a mark of 90 and above, he should turn his badge in. Before the briefing, Officer Talia Bishop (Afton Williamson) reported Detective Elena Ruiz’s (Valerie Cruz) unprofessional offer to Commander Percy West (Michael Beach), hence her silence during the briefing.

It seemed like a regular day in the office. Angela let Jackson take charge of the shift. Meanwhile, Tim and Lucy responded to a domestic abuse call. However, things get real when John and Talia discover a dead body at the bus terminal restroom. After calling in the victim’s identification, Corey Valence, Jessica Russo (Sarah Shahi) and Center for Disease Control Dr. Morgan (Felicia Day) arrive at the scene. The victim was a member of a terrorist group, likely killed by his partner, rumored to launch an attack on Los Angeles. In the least expected day, Los Angeles faced a major disaster, and only the combined forces of the LAPD and the FBI could stop the virus outbreak.

Loved Ones

ABC

The officers are allowed the liberty to warn their loved ones about the impending danger but are not allowed to disclose further details. Angela seriously weighed whether or not warning Wesley (Shawn Ashmore), since he always wants an explanation. Regardless, Angela decides to call him to cancel their date but does not tell him why. When they receive the terrorists’ location, they waste no time in traveling there. However, the neighborhood turns out to be Wesley’s, Angela tells him the inevitable. As Wesley started to argue about making the situation public, Angela arrests him.

That evening, the FBI finally has eyes on the terrorists’ vehicle. After a high-speed chase through the streets of Los Angeles, they finally corner the terrorists who come out with guns blazing. The armed suspects proceeded on foot, running into alleys. Jackson manages to follow one who enters a bus. As soon as Angela arrives, she takes out an assault rifle which is better suited for the situation. Despite Wesley’s warnings, Jackson and Angela enter the bus and neutralize the terrorist, saving the driver and its passengers. With the situation under control, Commander West and Jackson finally reconcile while Wesley and Angela make up as well.

The Boyscout

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John’s age, as well as his life experience, taught him to see the best in people. These traits are what set him apart from the other rookies. After interviewing a passenger, Brad Dallas (Ruy Iskandar) from the bus that the terrorists rode in, they come across a photo from Brad’s phone that identifies the killer/terrorist. The terrorist robbed a convenience store and fled on a getaway vehicle with stolen plates. Fortunately, the FBI managed to track the car. Cruising through the neighborhood where the car was last sighted brought nothing useful until John talks to one of the homeless campers. Luckily, the camper knew where the vehicle frequented, placing the cops on the right track.

John knew better than to let the feds handle the chase. He convinces Sergeant Grey to let them go on the pursuit which Sergeant Grey agrees as the right course of action. The terrorists run on foot just as Jessica arrives with reinforcements. John and Jessica then follow the wounded suspect who runs into a shed. Cornered, the terrorist had no other choice than to listen to them. John manages to convince the terrorist to surrender, but as soon as he has his hands up, Jessica shot him. John pondered on whether or not Jessica is a liar since she not only insisted on seeing the terrorist reach for his gun, but she also did not stop John from calling his son to the city to meet with them, knowing about the terror threat. Thankfully, Talia talks to him to put things into perspective. Perhaps he may be overthinking the situation.

Patient Zero

ABC

Tim and Lucy interviewed another passenger that rode with the terrorists. As soon as they got there, the passenger, Peter Langston (Shawn Michael Howard) rambled about mistakenly getting a different passenger’s bag. The bag that Peter has turns out to contain vials of the virus, and he is infected. When Peter coughs up blood on Tim’s neck, Tim shuts the door to the room. Meanwhile, Lucy stood outside, calling in the CDC.

Peter’s symptoms got worse by the minute. He anxiously waited for the ambulance Tim promised. In a desperate move, he knocks Tim out using a chair but eventually succumbs to the virus. Tim regains consciousness moments away from Peter’s blood reaching him. As Tim sat there, he froze, watching Peter breathe his last breath. Outside, Lucy frustratedly waited for the vaccine. However, the vaccine was still in an experimental stage, so there is no guarantee as to what could happen. Tim lets Lucy know that if the symptoms start to show, he is going out on his terms; not letting it be the death of him.

The vaccine finally came, and Dr. Morgan is the first to enter the room. Tim looks uninfected and free from any symptoms, so Dr. Morgan gave him a dosage of the vaccine. After this, the CDC then takes charge of the room and places the house in quarantine. When the 24-hour observation period ends, Tim exits the house, greeted by his peers and the rookies. However, he suddenly faints, to everyone’s surprise.

‘The Rookie’ Season Finale ‘Free Fall’ Final Verdict

This show has everything that one can ask for in a cop show. It properly blends romance, drama, and action. The actors’ performance, especially on the season finale, was all-out. Also, the main plot connects the subplots without having to sacrifice variety. The Rookie is one of the best shows that starts with a strange premise and ends its first season spectacularly. If ABC does not renew this show, then they are making a huge mistake.