The Rookie’s Heart-Wrenching Episode ‘Greenlight’ Will Leave You in Tears!

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Regardless of the hardships faced by LAPD Officer John Nolan and his dedicated team, few episodes of The Rookie have been as heart-wrenching and distressing as Season 1, Episode 16 titled “Greenlight.” Six years after the emotionally draining episode that said goodbye to a cherished character, The Rookie has only had one other episode receive an IMDb rating of 9.0, signifying that despite its unique setup about the oldest rookie on the police force, emotional resonance proves effective.

Reflecting on “Greenlight,” a standout episode from Season 7, is an excellent way to pay tribute to a show that’s about to embark on its eighth season. With over 150 episodes under its belt, “Greenlight” is sure to be remembered as one of the most cherished segments in this long-running police procedural. Grab some tissues; things might get emotional!

What Is ‘The Rookie’ Season 1, Episode 16 “Greenlight” About?

In the sixteenth episode of The Rookie’s first season, titled “Greenlight,” which was broadcast on ABC on March 19, 2019, the story begins with Internal Affairs investigating the Mid-Wilshire precinct for any illegal activities and maintaining proper conduct. Nolan apprehends a volatile and erratic woman for causing a scene in public. Not long after, bullets narrowly miss Nolan, and he discovers that the very woman he arrested had hired someone to take his life.

In the course of his investigation, Nolan learns that Cole Midas, the man who attempted to shoot him, is the son of Leonard, a leader of a white supremacist group known as The Southern Front. The following day, Nolan is partnered with Captain Andersen. Together, they devise a strategy to apprehend the gang’s assets and prevent Leonard from ordering a hit on Nolan, which they refer to as “Greenlighting.” Their plan momentarily succeeds, but in their moment of complacency, an unbearable tragedy unfolds.

In my humble opinion, as a film critic, the pivotal sequence unfolds thus: Having called off the hit, Midas and his crew apprehend Nolan and Andersen. Forced into captivity, Andersen valiantly seizes her chance to save Nolan’s life. However, in a heartrending twist, she ultimately gives her own life for his sake, as Midas mercilessly gunned her down while making his escape. Overwhelmed by shock and grief, the camera zeroes in on Nolan, sitting helplessly beside Andersen’s lifeless body. The scene takes on an even greater poignancy when Angela, Lucy, Jackson, Talia, and Tim arrive at the crime scene, paying their respects to their fallen comrade with a solemn salute to their Captain.

By the time Nolan apprehends Midas for his misdeeds, everyone is deeply preoccupied with the tragic death of Andersen, and the intense sorrow and disbelief surrounding his senseless slaying and the immense void left by his passing.

Why “Greenlight” Is the Saddest Episode of ‘The Rookie’

Without a doubt, among fans of The Rookie, “Greenlight” is tied with Season 5’s Episode 22, “Under Siege,” as the highest-rated episode, both holding a 9.0 IMDb rating. However, it’s important to note that “Greenlight” garnered more votes (2,600 to 1,900). A glance at the IMDb comments for “Greenlight” shows an outpouring of emotion from viewers, many of whom were deeply moved by the intense emotionality surrounding the loss of a police officer in the line of duty. Many fans even confessed to shedding tears over Andersen’s demise – a rare and poignant reaction that they had not experienced while watching The Rookie before.

There’s another discussion on Reddit where fans of The Rookie are sharing their thoughts about the saddest episode in the series. Most people agree that Captain Andersen’s death was the most heartbreaking, with Jackson’s demise coming in a close second. Many believe that the shocking impact of Andersen’s untimely death was heightened by the false sense of safety, making viewers think everything was okay right before Andersen was hit by a stray bullet to the neck. Others pointed out that such graphic deaths are usually saved for season finales, and the sudden, non-season-ending death in “Greenlight” came as an unexpected and devastating blow.

In The Rookie series, there haven’t been many episodes that have stirred such profound feelings of sadness and melancholy as the one titled “Greenlight,” especially since its debut in Season 1. This episode stands out for its poignant portrayal of the dangers and sacrifices police officers make for each other, beyond their duties to the public. Even as time passes, Nolan’s recovery from the heart-wrenching events remains a topic of discussion among fans, who continue to grapple with the emotional impact of Andersen’s moving goodbye. Don’t miss this powerful episode of The Rookie – it’s now streaming on Hulu.

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2025-04-12 23:04