I will adopt the original QNBS method for judging a show. 1. A friend recommends a TV show or I see an interesting review, or hear a sarcastic rant about it in the Internet. Point is, I learn about a TV show. 2. I watch two episodes. 3. Write down what I think, Pros-Cons style.
I will add a one-liner (or maybe more) at the end of each QNBS review called The Verdict, which will serve as my verdict, my opinion, on whether you should or shouldn't watch the show.
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Many series exist in TV world but today I will write about Rookie Blue.
Plot: Five fresh-out-of-the-academy police officers join 15 Division to help serve and protect law-abiding US citizens.
PROS:
1. I'm already hooked. You see, before I wrote this QNBS entry I finished more than 2 episodes of Rookie Blue. (I broke my own rules, I know.) I started with watching only the latest episodes from Season 4, around episode 11 and 12. Somehow it piqued my interest (like no other cop show did) and before I knew it, I was done watching all 13 episodes of Season 4. I am now on Season 1.
2. The rookies. Well, McNally, Peck, Diaz, Epstein and Nash aren't rookies anymore in season 4 but I did watch Rookie Blue's pilot episode, "Fresh Paint," to see how far each rookie has gone. Yes, I was that interested in them. Each rookie has, as expected, progressed in terms of experience. The progress may not be as obvious as Nash's (by season 4 she's training to be a detective) but it is noticeable. In addition, Missy Peregyrm, Charlotte Sullivan, Travis Milne, Gregory Smith and Enuka Okuma have good chemistry.
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| The Rookies (top to bottom): Peck, Epstein, McNally, Diaz and Nash |
3. The friendship. One of the reasons why I fell in love (and continue to do so) over How I Met Your Mother is that more than being a story about how a dad met his kids' mom, it is a story of friendship. Somehow I see the same thing in Rookie Blue, with less flair (no Barney here) and more.. .heart. The rookies start out as a tight-knit group, having endured the academy together, but in the three years that have passed (between "Fresh Paint" and season 4), their bond is tested and eventually it becomes tighter. (PS: I totally love it that Gail, Dov and Chris are sharing an apartment now. I hope no one moves out ever.)
4. The drama. Ever since House and Desperate Housewives, I have yet to pick up a show which is heavy on the drama. As a rule, I stay away from drama but I guess Rookie Blue is worth making the exception for.
5. It is not law-related. Although Rookie Blue is about law enforcement, it is not about the law profession, which I try to avoid as much as I can during my free time. I consider it an effective destressing technique. This is one of the reasons why I stopped watching Suits after Season 1.
6. Gail Peck. She is an enigma; a person I am interested to know more about. She's the primary reason I decided to go back to season 1 just to see how she became the person she is in season 4--an eerily quiet yet more vicious version of Santana. Yet her interactions with Ernie the urn, Shaw and Holly give the viewers a glimpse of her vulnerable interior.
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| Gail (on putting Ernie's ashes in the lake): It's the same as flushing him down the toilet. Only it is a prettier, bigger toilet. |
7. Oliver Shaw is a wonderful, lovable and honest man. He's like Mr. Healy before he became obssessed with keeping Piper away from Alex Vause, and letting wooden-cross toting Pennsatuckey play fencing with Piper and her screwdriver. Shaw effectively connects with the rookies on a level Swarek or even Frank Best never will.
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| Squad car convos: Oliver talking to Peck and Epstein. |
8. The music. I just finished watching season 4 and, off the bat, I liked Matt Walter's I Would Die For You, Dave Thomas Junior's 3 Wishes, Jon Bryant's David Livingstone, and the amazing Firefly by Rebecca Raabis. One song short of a Quintet post. For a fairly accurate list of the songs played on Rookie Blue, check out this link.
CON:
I find myself enjoying scenes and episodes that were McSwarek-free. I like McNally and Swarek as individual characters but as a couple, I just don't. I know they're like Ross and Rachel from F.R.I.E.N.D.S--they're going to end up together no matter how messy the in-between is/got/will be--so they're not going anywhere soon. I guess I have to overlook this simple irritating detail because Rookie Blue, in its entirety, is awesome.
THE VERDICT:
If you want a good, entertaining show to marathon-watch, then Rookie Blue is what you're looking for.
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You may want to read other QNBS entries:
What Would Ryan Lochte Do
Smash
Pushing Daisies
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Freaks and Geeks
Bent
Once Upon A Time
The Inbetweeners
Game of Thrones 2
Sherlock
Suits
Game of Thrones 1
The IT Crowd
Rizzoli & Isles
Community
Awkward
New Girl
Outsourced
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