The Rookie continues to deliver with an episode that mixes high-stakes action with emotional complexity. As Celina navigates the challenges of her plain clothes day, her growth as a rookie is put to the test, not just on the streets but by the dynamics with her partner, Nolan. With rookie struggles, personal challenges, and a vigilante threat (and a copycat) in the mix, this episode hits all the right notes.
“The Watcher” – THE ROOKIE, Pictured: Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper and Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez. Photo: Disney/Mike Taing © 2025 All Rights Reserved.
Recap:
The episode begins with Nolan and Celina pursuing a suspect on a rooftop, only to discover the suspect tied up in a room. A mysterious man dressed in black salutes them from below, revealing he’s the one who tied the suspect. Meanwhile, James searches for his keys at home, preparing for a meeting with the captain. Nyla helps him find them in their daughter’s play kitchen. She mentions that she’ll be on patrol tonight, and James insists she speaks at the dinner he’s hosting with community activists, hoping to reassure them about the department’s efforts to eliminate corrupt officers. Reluctantly, Nyla agrees.
Miles wakes up in his car, ready for work with a bag of his belongings. Tim meets him in the parking lot, teasing him about looking like he's heading for a long deployment. Miles quips that a heavy backpack is good for cardio, a tip from his high school football coach. Later, it’s revealed to be a plain clothes day, and Celina is both nervous and excited. Lucy reassures her, sharing her own struggles with adjusting to plain clothes and advising Celina to focus on handling things herself. Tim, however, warns Nolan that if Celina fails, it reflects on him as her T.O. He suggests Nolan should adopt a tougher approach, unlike his usual style.
Celina and Nolan respond to a home invasion call, and despite her initial anxiety, Celina makes the right call in securing the victim. However, Nolan steps in to handle the situation, undermining Celina’s authority. She confronts him afterward, pointing out how his actions unintentionally reinforced biases against her as a Latina officer. Tim and Miles, on foot patrol, face off with a woman who flirts with Miles (and he flirts back), leading to a clash over professionalism. Seth and Lucy, also on patrol, handle a community complaint about the vigilante, with Seth taking the lead. Lucy praises him for his efforts, but there’s still room for improvement.
Later, the vigilante is apprehended, revealing himself to be a retired officer. He insists he wasn’t responsible for the shooting but claims to have been trying to make the neighborhood safer. However, his alibi checks out, and it’s revealed there’s a copycat on the loose. Celina, Lucy, and the team deal with a tense situation involving a family seeking vengeance over a teenage girl’s death. A shootout ensues, with Celina showing impressive skills as she talks down the mother, who turns out to be the copycat. The mother is arrested, but not before nearly taking another life.
At the end of the shift, Miles confides in Celina and Seth about his living situation, revealing that he’s been living in his car and is facing an ultimatum from Tim to find a proper place to stay or face termination. Celina offers a solution and makes a call to help him out. Nyla, meanwhile, returns home to a house full of community activists. She’s frustrated with James for turning their home into an impromptu meeting spot without consulting her. They have an emotional conversation about the pressures of their jobs and their marriage.
The episode wraps with Tim, Nolan, and Lucy having drinks together at a food truck, reflecting on their rookies and the challenges of being T.O.s. Tim receives a FaceTime call from Miles, who’s temporarily moved in with Smitty in the RV park. Tim gives him a pass for now; he’s bought himself another shift.
Thoughts:
Character of the Week: Celina Juarez
Celina was an easy choice for Character of the Week, because it was her Plain Clothes Day — and she crushed it! When she's faced with the tense situation, she stays composed, makes the right call to have the victim lock himself in the bathroom, and is poised when they enter the house. It’s a major moment of growth for her. Celina didn’t just react to the situation; she took charge in a way that made it clear she’s ready for the challenges of being on the force. But then, Nolan steps in, takes over the situation, and it was a gut punch because, despite everything Celina did right, her authority was undermined.
Yet, that didn't stop her. She was quick to call Nolan out (about time!) in a calm, professional discussion. It's a failure on Nolan's part as a TO, and it was refreshing to see.
Then, her speech at the end of the episode. Just perfect. Emotional and gut-wrenching and showing that Celina really did deserve to make it through her rookie year, despite her rocky times.
James and Nyla had a bit of a bumpy ride this episode, but the nuance of their relationship has always been interesting. We haven't gotten much of them lately, so I'm really happy that we're getting some scenes in this season. And, on top of that, it's a complex storyline that has the potential to tug at heartstrings. The episode did a fantastic job of showing how the emotional weight of being in law enforcement can seep into personal relationships, and how, at times, it takes more than just love and good intentions to make things work. They are two people with the same morals but different perspectives, and, in the end, truly love each other to meet halfway and try to find a path through.
In the end, what made this storyline so strong was that it felt so true to life — there’s no easy fix for the issues James and Nyla face, but their willingness to acknowledge them and keep pushing forward is what made me connect with them more. It’s a reminder that relationships, especially those under strain, require constant work, understanding, and a bit of grace.
Next Time:
We won't have an Advanced Preview next week's episode, but you can find the name, synopsis, and promo below!
“Out of Pocket”
Ahead of Bailey’s return home, John looks for clues to locate Jason Wyler. Then, Tim and Lucy swap rookies; a friendly face resurfaces at the station, and Wesley feels unsettled over Angela.
What were your thoughts on “The Watcher”? How are you feeling about this season? Comment below all your thoughts about The Rookie!
Be sure to catch The Rookie live on ABC at 10PM on Tuesdays—or catch up on Hulu the next day!
