According to Sgt. Wade Grey (Richard T. Jones), April 1st is the most annoying day of the year for the LAPD. And this season, The Rookie marks April Fools’ Day with a social media prank that leads to citywide chaos.
But first, Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) is tested when he is greeted in the locker room by a new rookie and a locker-room prank – and Parade has your first look at how it all begins.
“I’m your new rookie Connor Craig (David Gridley),” the alleged transfer tells Nolan.
“Nice try. I don’t fall for April Fool’s pranks,” Nolan responds.
“It’s not a prank. I just transferred from over in West Valley. I’ve been training with Sgt. McAdams the last 12 months,” Craig says.
“It’s a good story,” John tells him. “I would have gone with six months because nobody transfers divisions with one month left on their probation. And you should have picked a different TO because Sgt. McAdams is a department legend. That makes your prank easily disprovable.”
“Yes, sir. All valid points if I were joking, which I’m not,” Craig answers.
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Then before the conversation can continue, a bunch of colored balls fall out of a locker.
Cut to: John walking with Sgt. Grey, who tells him, “He’s not joking. It’s a last-minute transfer and I forgot to tell you. My bad.”
“Mm-hmm,” John says disbelievingly.
“Mm-hmm,” Grey says, making it a question. “Do I seem like a fan of tomfoolery to you?”
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“No sir, but that could all be a part of your master plan,” John says. “A five-year long con to prove to me you’re not into pulling pranks just to spring this on me now, which seems less and less likely now that I explain it.”
“Exactly,” Grey says cutting him off.
The new rookie is just the beginning of a very dramatic The Rookie episode, which gets into the dark side of April Fools’ pranks and how they can turn into disaster.
Tune in on Tuesday, April 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC to see. Steams next day on Hulu.
Next, Will There Be a Second Spinoff of The Rookie?
