The Los Angeles Police Department was plunged into a maelstrom of confusion and peril as the seventh season of ABC's smash hit series "The Rookie" roared back to life with its breathtaking premiere titled "The Shot." The episode seamlessly continues from the cliffhanger of the previous season, depicting Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) convalescing from his gunshot wound and easing back into his duties. Yet, the respite from his ordeal is fleeting as two menacing criminals, Oscar and Jason, break free from prison with the connivance of Monica Stevens, a rogue LAPD officer who has also gone into hiding.
Monica's escape casts the LAPD into disarray, further entangling the situation, as her whereabouts remain a mystery, potentially anywhere across the globe, posing a formidable challenge for federal authorities. Meanwhile, Oscar and Jason defy expectations by not fleeing to the border. They instead linger in Los Angeles, where Oscar takes delight in sowing discord and Jason seeks vengeance on his ex-wife, Bailey, who has remarried Officer John Nolan. Cognizant of the peril Bailey faces with Jason at liberty, she deploys with the National Guard, ensuring her safety for several months.
As the LAPD frantically searches for Jason, they initially harbor suspicions that he has allied with low-level drug traffickers. However, their conjectures are proven erroneous upon arresting the drug dealers and discovering Jason's absence. Jason's adeptness at evading capture underscores his cunning, leaving the newly promoted Lieutenant Grey and his team floundering in their pursuit. To bolster their endeavors, Grey temporarily elevates Officer Lucy Chen (Alyssa Diaz) to P3, tasking her with training a new recruit, Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher). Despite her hesitancy, Lucy embraces the promotion, viewing it as a temporary assignment and an opportunity to wager with her ex-boyfriend and fellow officer, Sergeant Tim Bradford (Jon Huertas).
Tim and Lucy's wager revolves around training their respective rookies to outperform one another. Tim is paired with Miles Penn (Deric Augustine), a brash former Texas cop seeking more thrills in LA. Miles's bravado and attempts to charm Lucy instantly grate on Tim. Meanwhile, Lucy's rookie, Seth Ridley, is a bundle of nerves, grappling with the realities of police work.
The day's turmoil escalates to a fever pitch with the occurrence of an armed robbery at a nearby pharmacy. Officer John Nolan and his rookie partner arrive at the scene with lightning speed, barely missing the perpetrator amidst the confusing cacophony. The suspect, in a desperate bid for escape, injures a pedestrian before slipping through their fingers. Subsequently, Lucy and her rookie, Seth, succeed in apprehending the suspect, but the tables turn tragically as he succumbs to an overdose of the very drugs he had stolen. Seth's harrowing reaction upon witnessing the lifeless body unearths a haunting memory from his past—the overdose of his high school girlfriend, which now triggers waves of anxiety whenever he encounters similar stimuli.
As the LAPD grapples with the aftermath of the chaotic pharmacy robbery, an urgent alert sounds, warning of a vehicle contaminated with dangerous levels of radiation. The FBI discloses a startling revelation: a Cold War-era nuclear device has vanished, necessitating the LAPD's immediate intervention to thwart its potentially catastrophic fall into malevolent hands or usage. In a thrilling car chase interspersed with a shootout, Nolan leads the LAPD in securing the device, overcoming the rookies' missteps to bring the situation under control. Ultimately, the scene is surrendered to the FBI, marking the resolution of the case despite the errors committed.
The episode draws to a close with Tim and Lucy's wager ending in an inconclusive stalemate, as both their rookies falter at critical junctures. Meanwhile, the corruption orchestrated by therapist Dr. Blair London prompts an internal review, entangling Wesley Lopez (Richard T. Jones) in a web of complexities. He must maintain impartiality despite uncovering another officer's romantic feelings towards his wife, Angela Lopez (Melissa O'Neil).
Returning to an empty house, John Nolan is overwhelmed by the weight of the day's harrowing events and the profound loneliness that accompanies them. As he reflects on his resilience through a trying day, he is reminded of the persistent challenges that lie ahead and the paramount importance of the work he and his fellow officers undertake in safeguarding their city.
