Reviews for this episode are generally positive regarding character development, though some viewers found certain plot points "silly" or "contrived". The Rookie Season 3 Episode 11 Review: New Blood
: The Mid-Wilshire station welcomes two new rookies: Katie Barnes , a military veteran, and Larry "The Badger" Macer . The Badger is immediately expelled after accidentally discharging his firearm in the station. Watch The Rookie S03E11 WEBRip x264-ION10 1
The eleventh episode of The Rookie 's third season, titled "," originally aired on April 18, 2021. It centers on the introduction and quick departure of new rookies, character growth for Training Officer (TO) Tim Bradford, and an intense personal crisis for John Nolan. Plot Summary Reviews for this episode are generally positive regarding
: Nolan protects his ethics professor, Fiona Ryan, after she is targeted by white supremacists following her calls for police reform. Fiona shares her motivation: her grandmother's home was destroyed in the 1985 MOVE bombing in Philadelphia. The eleventh episode of The Rookie 's third
: The episode ends on a cliffhanger when Nolan’s son, Henry, collapses during dinner due to a lifelong heart condition. Critical Reception and Reviews
: Tim Bradford takes Katie Barnes under his wing. To Lucy Chen’s jealousy, Tim is unusually gentle with Katie. He later explains that while Lucy needed to see the world's dangers, Katie—already hardened by war—needed to learn that citizens are not "enemy combatants". Despite Tim's specialized training, Katie resigns, realizing she needs time to adjust to civilian life.