Progressive "good apple" copaganda
The Rookie is very progressive in looking at issues with policing. They have episodes dealing with over-charging minor crimes, racist cops (& the systemic issues preventing them from being fired), the need for mental health first responders, the under-funding of societal services and so many other things.
Many of the issues come up again and again and again.
And we see a wide cast of characters who want to be the change, who believe the system is screwed up and they need to be in the system to change it.
I don't necessarily disagree with this mindset. I'd rather have good cops who are compassionate and do the job to help people, than have bad cops on a power trip.
But this show's prescription for nearly every systemic problem is to have good cops replace the bad ones.
The shows conclusion, every episode, is essentially we need cops because the world is dangerous.
I'm not sure that I'm a police abolitionist. But I am quite sure this show - while being progressive, while being woke (diverse cast, gays abound) - paints a false picture: that dangerous people are everywhere, and we need cops to protect the good people from the bad people.
And at so many critical points, this show turns toward policing instead of toward prevention.
Spoiler alert: A 15 year old black kid has a loud argument with his mom. Cops come, talk to him. He's a good kid, he'll be better. Then 10 minutes later, he gets talked into being a confidential informant, turning on his sister, and his life is very likely ruined by the sequence of events that follows. Sacrificing this kid was necessary because we just had to get the murderer off the streets, and there was "no other way".
They address some of the problematic issues in this episode, but ultimately conclude that the kid's well-being is worth sacrificing.
I still love the show. I'm gonna keep watching. But this "good apple" narrative is worth being aware of.
Also see 'The Rookie', copaganda I really like
P.S. It feels odd to be writing about such silly things when my federal government is doing fascism.