Free Fall

Free Fall
Season	1
Episode	20
Air date	April 16, 2019
Written by	Alexi Hawley
Directed by	Michael Goi
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"Free Fall" is the twentieth and final episode of the first season on The Rookie. This is the twentieth episode of the series overall.

Summary

As the rookies prepare for a big exam to see who moves on to the next stage of training, Officer Nolan and Officer Bishop are called to the scene of a murder and learn that the victim may be tied to a potential terrorist attack on the city of Los Angeles.

Cast

Main 

• Nathan Fillion as John Nolan
• Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez
• Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey
• Titus Makin as Jackson West
• Melissa O'Neil as Lucy Chen
• Afton Williamson as Talia Bishop
• Eric Winter as Tim Bradford

Guest starring

• Sarah Shahi as Jessica Russo
• Michael Beach as Cmdr. Percy West
• Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers
• Felicia Day as Dr. Morgan
• Valerie Cruz as Det. Elena Ruiz
• Shawn Michael Howard as Peter Langston
• Brittany Belt as Madame Megan
• Ruy Iskandar as Brad Dallas
• Jenn Liu as FBI Technician
• Phillip Garcia as Jorge

Co-starring

• Isiah Adams as Clash
• Brian McGovern as Randy Fischer
• Aaron D. Alexander as Mitch
• Scott Manuel Johnson as CDC Official
• Gabriel Bellotti as Jimmy Roskin
• Trenton Rostedt as Brendan Mitchell
• Lashawn Williams as Paige Taywan

Trivia

• This is the final appearance of Afton Williamson as Talia Bishop. She did not return for Season 2.
• In the scene where Nolan is quizzing his friends on codes, all the numbers mentioned correspond correctly to the California Penal Code except where noted here:
  • 273(g) - "intoxicated in the presence of a child" - No section g, and no mention of intoxication elsewhere in 273
  • 597(h) - 597 concerns mistreatment of animals but doesn't mention the act given in the script
  • 12020 - Illegal possession of a firearm - has been amended; closest now is 12021.5

• Two of the codes mentioned but not described are:
  • 417 (a) (1) "Every person who, except in self-defense, in the presence of any other person, draws or exhibits any deadly weapon whatsoever, other than a firearm, in a rude, angry, or threatening manner...is guilty of a misdemeanor..."
  • 21510(b) - Having a blade 2” or longer on his person.

• The "Peace Officers' Procedural Bill of Rights", as cited by Officer Bishop, is part of the California Government Code, sections 3300-3313.
• A "Silkwood shower" refers to a standard method of decontamination after exposure to harmful chemicals or biological materials. The phrase refers specifically to the film Silkwood, in which a character suffers from continued radiation exposure.
• Lopez claims Evers is "violating public order"; she's probably referring to the LAPD manual. section 271.20: REPORTING INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION - "The unlawful disruption of public order through civil disobedience.”

Quotes

Lopez: 80 might be the passing grade, Boot, but if you don't get at least a 90, you should turn in your badge on general principle.

Bradford: Officer Chen, I will take it as a personal insult if you get anything less than a 93.

Bradford: Whether I evaluate you daily or weekly, I will continue to judge you every minute. Understood?

Bradford: I don't do easy. Grey: But you do follow direct orders, am I right, Officer Bradford?

Lopez: Being groomed for this isn't the same as choosing it. You gotta want this job for the right reason. For you, not your father.

Bishop: Please, that letter of reprimand is a permanent red flag. It'll affect every promotion I go in for.

Lopez: Yeah, this is the kind of civil liberties issue he gets on his soapbox about.

Nolan: Can we see them, please? The pictures, not your pores.

Chen: Are you sure you're okay? Bradford: Kind of depends on your definition of the word.

Evers: High horse? This is about basic civil liberties, guys.

Evers: You're seriously gonna keep me in this car all night? Lopez: You're the one that wanted to spend more quality time together.

Bradford: You know, you're good at a lot of things. Lying isn't one of them.

Bradford: When the time comes I'm going out on my own terms.

West: But here's the thing: I made my peace with dying when I got on this bus. So I'm coming over there and I'm arresting you.

Lopez: Any chance we can kiss and make up? Or can I expect a lawsuit? Evers: Oh, up until about 20 minutes ago, I was drafting it in my head. But then you risked everything, got on that bus, and saved those people.

Evers: Does it seem like we fight a lot? Lopez: Definitely. But I think it's our thing, you know? Like some couples swing dance or go to Disneyland.

Lopez: I'll bet my pension he just told doctors “Tim Bradford does not ride in a wheelchair.” Bishop: "Only way I'm leavin' out of here is on my own two feet." Bradford: Don't you guys have paperwork to finish?