Vigilantes, personal crises, and the LAPD’s never-ending PR nightmare — “The Watcher” offered a hefty dose of standard “Rookie” fare. This week, our intrepid officers tackled a case with shades of gray darker than a Los Angeles smog alert. The introduction of “The Watcher,” a social media-savvy vigilante, threw a wrench into the already delicate machinery of law enforcement, raising questions about justice, accountability, and the ever-blurry line between right and wrong.
The episode kicks off with the LAPD attempting to recover from yet another public relations disaster — a scandal so vague it could be any one of the dozen or so that have plagued the department in past seasons. Their solution? Put detectives Nyla Harper and Angela Lopez back in uniform for some good old-fashioned community outreach. Because nothing says “we care” like a forced photo op.
Meanwhile, Officer Celina Juarez encounters the aforementioned Watcher, who’s become an online sensation for dispensing his own brand of justice. This sparks a predictable debate among the officers and the public about whether the ends justify the means, a philosophical quandary best left to college ethics classes.
John Nolan, ever the paternal figure, struggles to let Celina take the lead in the investigation, revealing his unconscious bias. Celina calls him out, and Nolan is forced to confront his own ingrained assumptions, a moment of character growth that was actually pretty well-handled, even if it felt a tad rushed.
Adding to the drama, two new rookies, Ridley and Penn, wrestle with their own personal demons. Ridley awaits life-altering medical results, while Penn secretly lives out of his car due to crippling debt. These subplots offer a glimpse into the challenges faced by young officers, though they also feel like they could be lifted from any police procedural.
The Watcher’s antics inspire a copycat, whose actions quickly escalate, leading to a murder investigation. The twist? The copycat is a grieving mother seeking revenge for her murdered teenager. While her motives are understandable, her methods are… questionable. It’s a classic vigilante story, executed competently, but not particularly groundbreaking.
Elsewhere, Nyla Harper and her husband, James, clash over their differing views on police reform. It’s a subplot that attempts to tackle real-world issues, but it doesn’t quite land with the nuance it deserves.
“The Watcher” offered solid, if predictable, entertainment. It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but it kept things moving at a brisk pace. Let’s just hope the LAPD’s PR team has a better strategy next week. Oh, and someone please get Officer Penn a decent apartment.
The Rookie airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC.