Identifier: Season 1, Episode 13
Air Date: Thu., Sep. 9, 2010 (10 PM ET)
Network: ABC
Cop uniforms aren’t sexy. Missy Peregrym is. It was only a matter of time before the producers of this show got her into much less clothing so her assets could be appreciated. Historically, this has helped in the ratings, as ‘Ghost Whisperer’ found itself doing much better as soon as Jennifer Love Hewitt started wearing lower cut tops all the time, and skimpier sleepwear. I’m not saying I think it would serve the show best to have Andy running around in a bra or bikini all the time, but the show has elements of soap opera and sex, and sex appeal is a part of that, so why not work with what you have if you have someone as beautiful as Peregrym as your lead? As for the episode, I went into this finale with a sense of foreboding. Would this be that kind of show?
Apparently not, as everyone came out of it alive, for better or worse. Nobody lost their job, McNally saved the day and gets to keep her man Callaghan. Even her former training officer Swarek seemed to put aside his feelings for her long enough to give her good relationship advice. We got some genuine human emotions out of Gail, which is a much-needed element to her character, and things are good.
If the last episode tested Andy’s resolve emotionally, this episode was all about testing her resolve professionally when the stakes are higher than ever. Undercover as a stripper girlfriend to Swarek — even after she so horribly botched her undercover run as a hooker — she came through with flying colors. And when she had to reveal herself, she did so confidently and appropriately. Her bravery at that moment and certainty is what saved Swarek’s life. I don’t know the status of the bust because they may have had to move in before the transaction was complete, but lives were saved and I’m sure arrests will be made.
In retrospect, it does look like this was intended as a possible series finale, should the show not have gotten picked up. Since it has, it’s time to look forward to what the future of ‘Rookie Blue’ could be. Andy believes they could be rookies for up to two years, but what do you do beyond that?
The beauty of the title is that there will always be new rookies coming in. As we meet new faces, we can watch our current five rookies moving up the ranks. Some might decide to be detectives, while others might wind up at desk jobs, like Traci tried this week and found to be lacking. Or they might just become better cops and be able to pass on their wisdom to future generations. With that, the show could be constantly reinventing itself and moving forward, with built-in influxes of new blood each season to keep things fresh and interesting.
I don’t know if the plan is to keep it short summer seasons or try it in the more competitive fall market, but I think it’s a good fit in the summers, and might help the networks try again next season with original scripted programs. I’d like to believe it can work, even though this was definitely the only success story of the summer. Oh, and a little more of a little less on Missy Peregrym doesn’t hurt either. I’m just saying.
