“The Rookie” has become a fan-favorite show, following the journey of John Nolan, a middle-aged man who joins the LAPD to start a new chapter in his life. As Season 6 continues to unfold, fans were eagerly anticipating Episode 7, titled “Crushed.” However, while this episode introduced new themes and explored deeper, more experimental elements, it seems like it might have missed the mark for some viewers.
In this review, we’re breaking down everything that made “Crushed” an intriguing yet flawed episode. While the experimentation in the storytelling was bold, it ultimately felt like it was too much for the show to handle in a single episode. Let’s dive in and discuss why “Crushed” may have been too experimental for its own good.
The Bold Experimentation in “Crushed”
A Shift from Traditional Storytelling
One of the most striking aspects of “Crushed” was its shift from the standard narrative style that The Rookie has built its reputation on. From the very start, the episode feels different, with an emphasis on experimental storytelling. Instead of following the usual format of focusing on multiple cases with clear resolutions, the episode seems to spiral into abstract themes and complex, often confusing character arcs.
For fans who are used to the procedural format of the show, this shift might have felt jarring. The introduction of surreal moments and fragmented plotlines made it difficult to follow the narrative thread. While it’s refreshing to see a show try something new, “Crushed” showed that sometimes, staying true to the tried-and-true formula is what works best.
A Dive into Character Development: Too Much, Too Fast?
Another aspect of “Crushed” that felt overly experimental was its attempt to dig deep into the characters’ psyches. Normally, The Rookie does a great job of balancing case-of-the-week storytelling with character development. In this episode, however, the focus on character arcs felt forced and rushed.
Nolan, Bailey, and the other characters are put through emotional wringers, but the intensity of their development often leaves little room for organic growth. Instead of naturally unfolding over time, the emotional beats felt overly manipulated, as if the show was trying to cram too much character evolution into one episode. This left many viewers feeling disconnected from the characters they’ve grown to love.
The Overuse of Flashbacks and Surreal Imagery
“Crushed” heavily relies on flashbacks and surreal imagery to enhance the storytelling. While these elements can be powerful when used sparingly, they became overwhelming in this episode. Flashbacks to key moments from previous seasons are inserted at rapid-fire speed, sometimes leaving the audience struggling to keep up with the present-day storyline.
The surreal imagery, while attempting to add depth and mystery, only served to confuse the overall narrative. Instead of providing clarity or insight into the characters’ motivations, the visuals felt more like distractions that detracted from the core story. For many fans, the reliance on these experimental techniques felt like a misstep.
Why “Crushed” Felt Like a Missed Opportunity
Unresolved Storylines: A Pattern of Incompletion?
One of the most frustrating aspects of “Crushed” was its tendency to leave storylines unresolved. In previous seasons, The Rookie was able to balance complex plots with satisfying conclusions. Unfortunately, “Crushed” fell short in this regard. Characters are left hanging, with no resolution to the issues they face. This sense of incompleteness left viewers feeling unsatisfied and questioning whether the episode was worth their time.
The lack of closure is particularly noticeable in the subplot involving Nolan’s relationship with his partner, Bailey. Their dynamic takes a backseat to the experimental narrative, and the emotional stakes feel diluted. It’s hard to care about their relationship when the episode doesn’t give enough space for their connection to evolve naturally.
The Experimental Nature Took Away from the Core of The Rookie
At its heart, The Rookie is a show about personal growth, teamwork, and the challenges of being a police officer in a high-pressure environment. “Crushed,” with all of its experimental elements, seemed to forget these core values. Instead of focusing on the authentic growth of the characters and their relationships, the episode becomes an exploration of abstract themes that detract from the grounded, character-driven stories that fans love.
It’s not that experimental storytelling is inherently bad – far from it. But in this case, it overshadowed the very essence of what makes The Rookie so appealing. The show’s charm lies in its ability to balance action, heart, and humor. “Crushed” missed the mark by prioritizing style over substance.
What Worked in “Crushed” Despite Its Experimental Nature
Strong Performances Amidst Chaos
Despite the confusing narrative and experimental visuals, the performances from the cast were exceptional. Nathan Fillion, as John Nolan, brought his usual charm and emotional depth to the episode, even when the story wasn’t fully supporting him. Similarly, the rest of the cast, including Alyssa Diaz (Bailey), contributed solid performances that helped ground the episode.
These strong performances are a testament to the cast’s ability to elevate the material they’re given. Even when the storyline falters, the actors manage to keep viewers invested in their characters, making the emotional beats feel earned, even if the episode’s structure didn’t quite work.
The Action Sequences Still Delivered
While “Crushed” is more experimental in its approach, it doesn’t forget its roots in police procedural drama. The action sequences, which have always been a staple of the show, were well-executed and thrilling. Despite the complexity of the episode, the show still managed to deliver some solid, intense moments that reminded us why we love The Rookie in the first place.
From high-stakes foot chases to nail-biting confrontations, “Crushed” proved that, at its core, The Rookie is still capable of delivering edge-of-your-seat action. This helped maintain the excitement, even when the episode’s more experimental elements were falling short.
Conclusion: The Rookie Needs a Return to Simplicity
Ultimately, “Crushed” was an ambitious episode of The Rookie, but it leaned too heavily into experimental storytelling techniques that ultimately distracted from the characters and narrative that make the show so appealing. While the performances were strong and the action was top-notch, the episode’s lack of cohesion and overuse of surreal elements left much to be desired.
If “Crushed” was an attempt to push the boundaries of what The Rookie can do, it succeeded in showing that some things are best left unexperimented with. The strength of the series lies in its relatable characters, compelling cases, and emotional storylines – things that were overshadowed by the episode’s overindulgence in experimental techniques.
In future episodes, it would be wise for the show to return to its roots, focusing on character-driven stories with clear, satisfying arcs. While it’s great to see the show trying new things, the experimental approach in “Crushed” ultimately proved to be more of a distraction than a success.
FAQs
1. Why was “Crushed” so different from other episodes of The Rookie?
“Crushed” experimented with a more abstract storytelling style, relying heavily on flashbacks and surreal imagery, which made it feel very different from the procedural format the show is known for.
2. Did the experimental elements in “Crushed” work?
While experimental elements can be engaging, in “Crushed,” they were overused and detracted from the core storytelling, making the episode feel more confusing than impactful.
3. How did the cast perform in “Crushed”?
The performances were strong, with Nathan Fillion and the rest of the cast delivering emotional and believable portrayals of their characters despite the disjointed narrative.
4. Was “Crushed” a failure for The Rookie?
While “Crushed” wasn’t a total failure, it showed that experimental storytelling might not be the best fit for a show like The Rookie, which thrives on character-driven drama and clear storylines.
5. Will The Rookie continue experimenting in future episodes?
It’s unclear, but hopefully, the show will return to its roots in future episodes, focusing on the elements that have made it successful: relatable characters, strong emotional arcs, and thrilling action sequences.
Thank you for reading this review! We hope it helped you understand why “Crushed” may not have hit the mark. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
