User reviews

New cop dramas come out every year or two and most are hit or miss, but there is something to this show that leaves me hoping it gets picked up again for another season. The show follows a group of fresh rookies trying to find their way on the force through mistakes and errors in judgement. It's filmed and set in Toronto, with its share of Canadian actors so that hit home with me. I read a review of this show that was very harsh and was disappointed that the show wasn't accurate in terms of what actual police work is like for rookies in terms of the amount of freedom they have in this show and the ability to make decisions. TV is meant for entertainment so I'm glad they don't have it accurate to a tee. But the emotions, fears, camaraderie, and pain these characters go through while trying to find their bearings in a new career are very real I think and contributes to the strength of the show.

I've watched every episode. I judge a movie or TV show by how much I care about what happens to the character. Andy has grown in so many ways as a cop since the series began. Of course, this is the writing. Unlike so much crap on TV today, the writing and character development has been excellent. These guys really have matured from rookies to (at least) sophomores. What's great is that they haven't been written as knowing it all -- yet. But, am I the only one who sees -- and feels -- that the entire 15th has become a big family, all having each others' backs? I care about these people, and I hope ABC sees fit to renew it to fill in for the soon-to-be-history fall show that fails first.

With all of the reality shows polluting television stations everywhere these days, shows like this are what keep me from turning off my TV permanently.

Rookie blue is exactly what you think it is: a cop show. It's got action, drama, and even has it's comedic moments. It has a variety of characters, the main ones being the five rookies, and chronicles the goings-on in and around the team.

The main characters are Andy, the good cop who rarely lets anyone in, Epstein, the smart dork from a broken family (that he never really talks about), Peck, the mean girl whose mother was a well-known and well-respected cop on the force, Diaz, the good Catholic boy who seems to want to break free of that image, and Nash, the single mother who's been trying to balance work and motherhood without anyone's help. They're all, at times, naive and still have so much to learn but isn't that what being a rookie is all about? You're trained according to what might happen but that almost never completely prepares you for the real world.

I think the problem many viewers have with this show is that it's been done before but, like I said , this is a cop show and that's what it's promised to be. If you know you don't like the genre, that's fine, but it isn't the show's fault. I'm venting a bit, but it's just frustrating when the advice being given is to not give the show a chance because there have been similar shows before. If you're looking for something completely different from anything you've ever seen before, you'll be looking for quite some time so, in the meantime, give this show a chance. It has real characters: ones everyone can relate to in some way or another, and the stories continue to unravel every week. Each episode has stories of their own, but there are also overarching story lines that regular viewers can become attached to.

It recently got renewed for a second season (Congratulations!), so it'll be around for a while. It really is a good show. The kind that I, personally, have been wanting to see but didn't expect in the summer (how often do good summer shows come on?). So, if you can, check it out. The episodes also get posted on Global TV and ABC's sites, so if you can't see it when it airs, it'll also be there. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!

OK the main reason I even gave this show a go was the 2 women from the ad, Missy Peregrym and Charlotte Sullivan. With that admission, the show was actually still watchable.

All of the characters are at least tolerable, there is not too much angst and relationship drama, there is action and most of the plots were at least enough to hold the viewers interest. Sure some of the situations portrayed were over the top, with the mistakes the rookies made, but it also gave the characters a chance to learn from them and progress. As for the people who complained about such minor issues as belts etc, well who cares tbh! I for one never noticed them, and couldn't care less.

The show is basically a good way to spend an hour, it won't change your life, but on the other hand you won't think it was a total waste. The show is not a serious gritty ultra realistic drama, it's light entertainment, and that's what it does. As Swarek says: "It is what it is".

For those Americans that commented about where the badges are? Not every country have their badges attached to their uniforms. I googled same, and did not find a picture of a Toronto Police officer who is wearing their badge. Sorry, we don't do everything the same as you do down there in the south. Can't comment on the rest of the uniform for certain, they don't look too off from the Toronto uniforms from what I can see. However, their holsters do look a little low and lose and their uniforms are more form fitting on the show. Of what I can tell.

No offence to those who want this to be more realistic. If it was more realistic there would be no ratings, because, lets face it... Police don't have life threatening cases every day that they're working. I'm not saying that being a police is boring, but I don't think if you followed real police around with their duties ratings will be high. I don't mean any disrespect to police and I don't doubt that their job is hard and challenging. However, TV is not real, it's fantasy and people watch it to be entertained.

I want to take a moment to defend this show, and I will defend it mightily. Yes, there are some unresolved issues that the creators would benefit from paying some attention to. Yes, the show can be much better than it is. Yet, that in itself is kind of inspiring, and certainly enough to keep this show around for more than one season. I would be willing to see a LOT more of it, in fact. It has so much opportunity to address so many issues with its fantastic premise. If it bobbles every once in a while like with the third, so what? It's only four episodes in. Every show's team makes mistakes sometimes. The point is whether or not they learn from their mistakes. The episode that came on after the third was infinitely better than the previous one. The lead characters seem to be having a BALL, always an important aspect of what makes a show watchable. There are a myriad of possibilities left to explore. The lead actors and actresses are excellent and perfectly cast, Mr. Sam whatchamacallit is an excellent handsome lead I promised myself I would not fawn, and Andie is a very compelling character in herself. I would prefer a voice over from her so that her behavior made more sense why be so mean to Sam because of rules that are not under his control? Why can't she just TALK to him about it? Is she actually not interested?. I would also prefer that she be a bit more approachable, and please God, better at her job. Right now she SEEMS every bit the bumbling intern, and is clearly not doing as well as everyone else. Yet that gives her the opportunity to redeem herself. Many shows begin with a much less interesting premise and get less interesting as they go along. This show is better than at least half the shows on television, including those that have somehow like a certain criminal investigation show, anyone? persisted for a good three years longer than they should have with critics' inexplicable approval. This show is fun, it is real, it is a look at a world we have only seen from the rosy point of view of the very best. We have never seen the criminal justice system deeply challenged from the inside, which Andie seems poised to do. We have never seen the rules of engagement actively challenged, which Sam seems poised to do. We have never had any writers tackle the very real problem of special treatment in selecting new candidates for the force and offering promotions. We have never seen people of different races work together and address misunderstandings, like Andie's best friend and her paramour. This is very good television, AND it is very female-friendly television. Men, shut up. This show is not for you. This time, it is not ABOUT you!

This was a little gem I found in the beginning of summer. Despite being aired on Showcase, Global and ABC, I didn't really hear too much about this show until the first season was done. With the series being filmed and set in Toronto, I was surprised it took me so long to watch it. This show might be old news to a lot of people but personally, I only know a handful of people who have seen this. So let me give a brief synopsis before getting into the review.

On the surface, Rookie Blue looks nothing more than a typical police drama with hardly any big name actors (No offence to Missy Peregrym and Gregory Smith) but it is so much more than that. Perhaps it holds a special place in my heart because of its Toronto and Canadian connections. The best way to describe this show is Grey's Anatomy with cops instead of surgeons. Replace the interns with rookies and Seattle Grace with 15 Division and you got yourself, Rookie Blue. The story is focused on 5 rookies (All Canadian actors btw) that just graduated from the academy, and follows their young careers as they experience the hardships of being a police officer both, on and off duty. Each rookie is assigned with a training officer and its a treat to watch the different dynamics of each pair, as well as the dynamics among the rookies as a group - learning together yet competing with one another to gain attention from the top dogs.

The main star of the show is rookie Andy McNally portrayed by the Montreal beauty, Missy Peregrym (Stick It), she's a cop that has a lot to prove because she carries the baggage of her father, a worn out, burnt out homicide detective. Other rookies include, over achiever, Dov Epstein (Gregory Smith, Everwood), nice-by-the-book-guy, Chris Diaz (Travis Mine), tough girl with an attitude, Gail Peck (Charlotte Sullivan), and the responsible single mother, Traci Nash (Enuka Okuma). Some of the veteran cops include, McNally's training officer, Sam Swarek (Ben Bass) - who's the direct opposite of her, goes by instinct and tends to break the rules to get the job done, homicide detective, Luke Callaghan (Eric Johnson) and Nash's training officer, Noelle Wlliams (Melanie Nicholls-King). With such a big ensemble cast of interesting characters, I need to cut myself short, or I'd be typing forever.

Please continue reading the full review at: http://goo.gl/3VH68

I tend to disagree with everyone saying this show is bad, there seems to be a lack of knowledge from the rookies but thats part of the appeal. I think the writers were really trying to humanize the characters and show that cops don't just pop up being all bad ass and knowing all the stuff they know. This is really more of a training camp for cops from the very start, clearly they know the very basic but the instincts it takes to solid interrogation or street smarts while on the job are just not there so I'm gonna chalk that up to realism of the first few weeks of being on the job.

The second part that comes to mind is the cast, OK there's a massive fluctuation in dynamics here they need to really break down a few characters instead of just doing a scatter shot and hoping you like 1 main and 1 of the 50 other people they toss at you, I mean diversity is one thing but having so many people clumped up into 1 show is just a complete loss on the focus of the show, it makes everything seem incomplete because of constantly breaking away from one pair and moving on to the next.

Final review 7/10 too much stuff going on at once, simplify a bit and you'll have a solid show.

Why do the powers at be in the USA who make these shows, cancel success. ???? This review is a dig at a culture that's supposed to welcome and pay homage to success.

The powers that be kill successful TV shows its as simple as that...

Rookie Blue is a success story cop show with likable believable characters, great story lines, and brilliant scripts.

I'm struggling to think of anything else to say against the makers of shows like this. Except to say, "Stop cancelling success".....

If anybody reading this agrees with me, I would like to hear from you.

Thank you...

On the first day on the job the five police rookies who are the focus of Rookie Blue are told that forget what you learned in the Police Academy. The Academy is about rules, the street is where rules are twisted and bent for the sake of justice.

Rookie Blue in terms of structure is most like Hill Street Blues from the other side of the 49th parallel. That was also about a precinct, but its perspective comes from the commanding officer or top down. Here it is from the bottom up as we see the precinct in Rookie Blue from the freshest faces in the place.

The five rookies are Missy Peregrym, Gregory Smith, Enuka Okuma, Travis Milne, and Charlotte Sullivan. The main focus is Peregrym who is carrying the police legacy of a father who was once a prominent homicide detective, but has gone to seed.

This is a nice Canadian police series. Wonder why it wasn't picked up south of the border?

I read somewhere that this is the Grey's Anatomy of cop shows. This is actually a good description. Rookie Blue has great story lines, dialog, and attractive people. I love this show. Missy Peregrym is perky, beautiful, and fragile yet effective as a cop. This is one of the best kept secrets on TV and seeing that it has been renewed for a 4th season, it may have a following that I don't know about. It's a Canadian show and that something I didn't know at the outset-but it made sense in retrospect. If you want a gritty, grimy cop show this may not be your speed but it is my no means cookie-cutter stuff. There's good character development, and the girls are easy to look at.

When it's not trying to be Gray's Anatomy, it's actually a pretty good show.

The show plays it safe, too safe for my interest, which is acceptable for season one, you want to appeal to the masses and get picked up again. Television can be better still, and audiences deserve better. It is a Cop version of Gray's Anatomy, and plays all the typical clichés of the genre and subject matter (Police jokes). I can only hope that season 2 progresses past infancy and mature to a show that is above our 'cable' expectations and provide more than we expect from a Canadian police show.

Is it a welcomed edition to a T.V. line up? Yes, if you can get past the first few episodes; it gets much better.

Rookie Blue lost it's plot long time ago, now it's written purely for 13 year old fan-girls after soppy love plots and how they imagine the world of grown-ups. Any relation to actual police work is laughable, it's just a lame scene for "love stories" made for girls who were until recently playing with their Barbies. The stories could just as well be happening on Star Trek SS Enterprise for all it matters (actually that would probably help, there would at least be some justification for all the stupidity of the plots, it would be sci-fi).

Acting is ridiculously exaggerated so that adolescent fan-girls can get the "depth" of the situations, the plots are laughable and often idiotic, tuned to the level of understanding of it target audience.

Rookie Blue was never a high level TV, it used to be a comfortable time killer, it's main attraction for non-teens being the pretty faces of Missy Peregrym and Charlotte Sullivan (the blonde one), and a few eye candies for female audience. Well, the eye candies are all still there, only they turned sickeningly sweet and everything else is long gone. If I see one more "deeply love-hurt" face from Andy McNally (M. Peregrym) or her heart-throb Sam Swarek I'm gonna puke.

I expected much more from M. Peregrym when I first saw her a few years ago in Reaper, I thought she may be the next big thing. Unfortunately, she turned out to be strictly afternoon TV and webisodes face, playing basically the same person and practically the same role over and over.

Shame, Rookie Blue could have been much better, turned into a lame parody.

Frankly, I agree with some of the reviewers from the US. After all, I'm a superhero and I have yet to see a show or movie that I felt properly demonstrated what the life of a superhero is like, I mean a 3 year old evil genius could invent better gadgets than what the movies or shows give Batman. ;) Seriously though, I've never seen any promotional material stating that this show was supposed to be real...but it is really entertaining. Yes, there are moments when I'm yelling at the screen because one of the "rookies" completely disregarded all common sense, never mind their training. Truthfully though, these characters are all young (well, compared to me) and I'm perfectly willing to admit that I didn't always show the most common sense when I was that age, so these blunders don't bother me. I'm not expecting a perfect recreation of life on the force, I'm just expecting some entertaining stories that are well delivered and that's what I'm getting.

As for my fellow Canadians, the best praise I can give this show, is that I didn't realize it WAS Canadian until some Canadian cities were mentioned in the show. Let's face it, our comedies are generally very good, but our dramas have some times been rather lacking. This one isn't.

Come on, people. It's entertainment, it's a story, it's neither a police procedural manual nor a 'reality' show (as if those are 'real'). I know firsthand that the courtroom drama shows are also very unrealistic, but most trials actually get very boring, and who wants to watch that? For those who are carping about the acting, I wonder which shows you usually watch. With a heck of lot of training and performing under my belt, I'm very impatient with poor acting, but I find these characters very engaging, which is a good sign that the acting chops are there. My suggestion: Either don't watch it, or relax and enjoy it for what it is. I, for one, hope it stays on the air.

This show had me hooked, it was a roller coaster with all the ups and downs experienced. I love that the show stuck to its title about rookie cops and we (audience) seeing their day to day on the job & personal lives. I'm not sure in real life all the cops dating each other would have been tolerated but it sure kept the show entertaining. My favorite couples were Sam & McNally, Traci & Jerry, and Dov & Chloe. If you decide to watch the series you will see why.

Personally i like crime and cop dramas ... i would like to say thanks for satellite TV for giving us a more choice ... one i hate Eastenders, Coronation Street, Emerdale .. etc crappy brit soaps :(

Rookie blue just shows flaws in real life and in recording its a young show with lots of potential ... CSI Vegas .. look at the first season its so stiff lol they all start somewhere !!!

Like the characters and the story lines !!

Renew Renew Renew

I love this show !

It shows that there are real people behinf the uniform !!

I hope Rookie Blue keeps getting renewed :)

Let me start off by saying that this show is not for everyone. It's more drama than action and anyone going in this expecting Lethal Weapon divided into episodes with lots of explosions is going to be disappointed. This show is about rookies struggling to find their way as cops.

Their 'growing pains' are recognisable and that's what makes it fun. All the characters have their insecurities and even the veterans have their vulnerabilities, just like in real life. After setting up the characters and the atmosphere, it starts revealing the romantic angle, which makes it a bit like the police version of Grey's Anatomy. It's a character centric show, which means the case or issues always come second and that, to me, isn't a bad thing as long as the actors pull it off.

And they do. The cast is led by the vibrant, likable Missy Peregrym (Andy McNally) with strong performances from Gregory Smith (Dov Epstein) and Ben Bass (Sam Swarek) among others. In the first season, you see them struggle, fall, succeed, fall in love and deal with hardships. It's never so much that you think "man, can they dump even more on this character" but enough to keep your attention. In the second season, you see them find their footing, only to find out that more experience doesn't necessarily make things easier and less complicated.

That doesn't mean the show is flawless. It isn't. Sometimes, there is lack of context to explain why a certain character is behaving the way they do. Sometimes a case gets resolved too neatly. Sometimes things are predictable. But the show's saving grace is it's heart. The characters feel genuine, which is why I've stuck with them for 2 seasons and am anticipating season 3.

My 8 star rating is a rating on my entertainment value scale. It's a good way to spend an hour and it's addictive. I value quality movies like The Shawshank Redemption, but too much of that can wear you down. This is exactly the tasty snack I'm looking for when I come home from a busy day. Give it a shot.

That's an old axiom from the Carson days and, on many occasions, they asked you to buy a lot of silly bs in order to buy into the joke. That's kind of the theme here with "Rookie Blue". They sure ask you to buy a lot of silly bs with the police operations as well as simple, everyday common sense things. There are way too many examples so I'm not even going to begin to delve into them. The first time I watched the pilot was when the show premiered in 2010. I only made it half way through before I turned it off. Years later when I saw the title on imdb with a 7.7 rating I thought it must be a different show. No. It was the same "Rookie Blue". I was astounded it had been on the air for 6 seasons. There's no accounting for taste, right? But, I figured maybe I was missing something so, this time I stuck around a while. I'm half way through the final season now and, as it turns out, the show really isn't that bad. I mean if all the silly bs doesn't get to you. I can't tell you how many times I've incredulously asked "REALLY?" And the teenage angst over imprudent affairs got a little tiresome at times. Still, the basic stories held my interest and the characters are mostly likeable as well as identifiable. I found myself watching the episodes on a daily basis. That must mean something. It isn't as compelling as a "Better Call Saul" or as humorous as a "Murdoch Mysteries". Yet it has something that, despite its flaws, makes it enjoyable to watch even though I'm having a hard time giving it more than a 7; But, it's a pretty good 7. Now I'm going to have to reevaluate so many other shows, it's a good thing I've retired.

Addendum: The way I rate shows... I don't usually review anything less than a 7 because 6 would be a failing grade and I won't waste my time watching it. I'm old; I don't know how much time I've got left. Since I probably turned it off before getting even halfway through, it wouldn't be fair to rate or review it. 7 is watchable but I may go a while between episodes since, though somewhat entertaining, there are other shows more interesting or compelling. 8 would be a regular in my lineup. 9 is a must see and probably bingeable. 10 is just the epitome of superbity and headed for my all-time favorites list. I'm adding this to my reviews because it seems there are a lot of binary reactions to pretty much everything these days. I am not a like/unlike kind of guy. I see a lot of grays so if I give something a 10 it doesn't mean the only alternative is a 1.

This is a really good day in the life of a cop show. Initially when I saw the first few episodes I thought it was good but expected it to be cancelled as it may not have been accepted by the masses. Turns out this show was a success and thank god for that. It has continued on for soon to be five seasons and it just keeps getting better.

My favourite character would definitely be McNally (Missy Peregrym) and her dynamic with Sam (Ben Bass) is fantastic. If you've already seen it you know what I'm talking about. But let's be honest the rest of the cast is also great and contribute so much value to the show. Fun Fact: Gregory Smith who plays Dov Epstein was in the 1996 movie Harriet The Spy with Charlotte Sullivan who plays Gail Peck.

If you enjoy cop shows then you shouldn't miss this one. The story lines are well developed and match up nicely to the cases featured in the episodes. When you watch it sometimes you can't help but think "what there is no way that would happen" but then your brain kicks over into "actually how has that not happened before". It has a way of seeming outrageous yet completely accurate to real life. I guess that's why they say sometimes real life really is more interesting than the movies.

Yup, it's totally unrealistic and I'm sure if you were a member of the force you'd probably be shaking your head for all the gaffs but all in all it's still enjoyable to watch. The cast is young and beautiful. It's clean which is kinda refreshing. What I mean to say it's not so in your face violent which honestly does nothing when you want to just unwind or relax. I guess if I had to label it I'd say it's almost a chic-cop-flic as it so mellow and has a bit of romance going on.

Someone said it wouldn't be renewed fro a second season .. nah ah, it's renewed. see: http://www.tv-eh.com/2010/07/12/rookie-blue-renewed-for-season-two/

This show is well written, entertaining and makes me want to come back for subsequent episodes. I find the characters interesting, well acted and varied and they are written so they grow and evolve as the seasons progress. Just like in real life and though not totally lifelike, but they are 'TV real'.

The writers don't seem to get stuck creating stereo types that other shows south of the border seem to feel necessary to hold an audience. Good for you guys ! If you assume that we have a few brains and we'll even keep up with you!

While it's not the best show ever to come out of Canada it deserves to be renewed and watched. Let's support it and not let another decent show go before it's time, the support in and out of country should show us that it is worth enjoying and keeping.

Easy on the eye.

Easy on the noggin too. No inception. Can see every twist and turn coming from a mile away.

The only thing strained will be your credulity.

Seems unfair to call it a cop show. There have been some great ones over the years and comparing this to them can only end in tears.

What this does is try to create characters you can like with little or no attention to detail. It succeeds, was renewed for a second season while others bit the dust .

If you can get caught up in the trials and tribulations of missy, charlotte and co then you probably won't mind that the police bit is purely backdrop.

Usual hamfisted treatment of love and romance.

Some good looking people and some good music.

Undemanding but not unlikable.

Wish them well. Still watching.

Thank you.

I have never written a review before because I didn't want to go through the registration process, but this has to be one of the worst shows and I felt obligated to go through it just to voice my dislike for this show. The story lines are predictable and the at times totally unbelievable. Within the first two episodes, Andy has had a gun pulled on her twice and was allowed to go under cover. The acting is sub-par on so many levels, over the top and at times unbearable. I'm so glad I TIVOed it so I could just run through it in about 45 minutes instead of wasting an hour on this show. I can't believe the ratings some people gave this (7 and above) ... Not sure we are watching the same show, but to each their own.