Police procedurals thrive on formula, but even the most reliable shows need to shake things up once in a while. The Rookie has done exactly that through its documentary-style episodes, a recurring gimmick that began in Season 3 with “True Crime” and has returned almost every season since. These mockumentary-style episodes parody true-crime docuseries, framing Mid-Wilshire officers as talking heads while weaving in body cam footage and 911 calls.
For many fans, though, these are the most hated installments of the show. Scroll through Reddit threads or TikTok comments, and you’ll find plenty of complaints about the episodes being boring, convoluted, or even immersion-breaking. And yet, despite the criticism, there’s a strong case to be made that The Rookie’s documentary episodes are far more effective than they get credit for — aside from one subpar episode in Season 7 that shows what happens when the format goes too far.
Why ‘The Rookie’ Documentary Episodes Work So Well
The central complaint against the docu-episodes is that they’re gimmicks, unnecessary departures from the regular balance of drama and comedy. But that’s exactly what makes them worthwhile. Police procedurals can easily fall into repetitive patterns, and a one-off format change breaks up the rhythm without derailing the overall story.
In their best versions — like Season 3’s “True Crime” and Season 4’s “Real Crime” — the episodes offer an outsider’s perspective on the Mid-Wilshire division. The officers are suddenly self-conscious, aware of how they appear on camera, which adds texture to characters we think we know well. Fans get glimpses of how Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil), Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox), or Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) see themselves versus how the world sees them. It’s both comedic and revealing, and the satire of true-crime obsession gives the show a chance to poke fun at itself.
On top of that, the documentary framing lets the writers lean into bizarre, idiosyncratic cases without breaking the tone of the main series. Instead of dragging out a standard case-of-the-week, the mockumentary structure gives permission for the show to play, whether that means absurd interviews, outlandish side characters, or offbeat narrative devices. In short, they’re filler episodes that don’t feel like filler.
A perfect example of the second installment of the documentary-style series, titled “Real Crime,” which delves deep into Aaron Thorsen’s (Tru Valentino) backstory. With the weight of his troubled past still a large part of his life and a reputation to build, Aaron ultimately agrees to participate in a reality series that promises to rebrand him. What appears to be an opportunity to rebuild his image devolves into chaos when the producer of the reality show is murdered on camera, with Aaron once again in the crosshairs of suspicion. The case examined in the show also implicates Aaron’s own complicated relationship with Rowan (Luke Cosgrove), his manipulative friend who had been running drugs on the side.
What is most interesting about “Real Crime,” however, is how the documentary gimmick engages in character development. We hear Aaron’s squadmates express their doubts and support through the interviews, all culminating in Rowan being exposed as the actual killer of Patrick (Timothy Taratchila) — Thorsen’s dead best friend — and Morris (Rome Flynn). At the end of Aaron’s story, he receives validation from his coworkers and Patrick’s grieving father, thereby giving the format meaning beyond the stylistic flair.
‘The Rookie’s Documentary Episodes Are Worth It — Even if Season 7 Stumbled
To be fair, critics of the documentary episodes aren’t wrong about everything. The biggest issue is the glaring plot hole: If Lucy and Harper appear in a nationally released true-crime docuseries, how can they believably go undercover in later episodes of The Rookie? The series has never addressed this, and it strains credibility when characters who rely on anonymity are suddenly recognizable to anyone who binge-watches true crime on Hulu.
Even with that flaw, though, the docu-episodes have mostly been fun experiments — though Season 7’s “A Deadly Secret” was a miss. This episode tried to cram in every possible subplot, from a missing ex-fiancée to a haunted psychiatric ward to an AI named Zuzu. The result was chaotic and disjointed, losing the charm of earlier mockumentary episodes. While there was one highlight — a heartfelt Chenford moment triggered by a truth serum — the episode’s messy plotting showed how the gimmick can backfire when it’s overloaded.
Instead of giving us a sharp parody or a quirky detour, “A Deadly Secret” collapsed under the weight of its own tangled storylines. It’s the rare case where fan complaints about the format being “boring” or “too much” really rang true.
Documentary Episodes Of ‘The Rookie’ Are A Fun Break From The Drama
Despite their divisive reception, the documentary episodes remain some of the most memorable in the series. They’re conversation starters, even among viewers who don’t like them. They parody the cultural fascination with true crime, they give characters unexpected moments of vulnerability, and they prove that The Rookie is willing to take risks rather than stick to a procedural comfort zone.
The Season 7 stumble shouldn’t automatically mean that the format doesn’t work. Used sparingly and with focus, the mockumentary episodes still have value. If anything, the writers should refine them: Tighten the stories, acknowledge the undercover plot hole, and resist the temptation to overload the format with too many callbacks or side characters.
Because when they work, The Rookie’s documentary episodes aren’t the show’s weakest link—they’re proof that even in a genre built on formula, experimentation can pay off.
