The Rookies

Cast photo of The Rookies from 1975. Clockwise from top- Georg Stanford Brown (Terry Webster), Kate Jackson (Jill Danko), Gerald S. O'Loughlin (Eddie Ryker), Bruce Fairbairn (Chris Owens), and Sam Melville (Mike Danko).

The Rookies (1972–1976) was an American police procedural series created by Rita Lakin, airing on ABC, that follows the exploits of three rookie police officers working for the fictitious Southern California Police Department (SCPD).

Season 1

Pilot [1.00]

Sergeant Eddie Ryker: Oh, Neil, Neil. You expected much too much of them. And I expected much too little. Loomis caught that kid in a bind, and the kid buckled. Well, that's a shame, but there's no warranty on human beings, Neil, and there never has been. I'll tell you one thing, though: Jared Whitman died in an act of courage, and he died with honor. That's not a bad epitaph for a cop. Hell, that's not a bad epitaph for anybody.

Dead, Like a Lost Dream [1.02]

Officer Willie Gillis: [Gillis and Webster walk into the precinct locker room to change out of their uniforms.] C'mon, let's hustle. Can't miss this - the show goes on soon.

Officer Terry Webster: How much time do we have?

Officer Willie Gillis: Well, the show goes on at 11:30, but Ryker isn't the first guest. So as long as we get there by 12 or so, we ought to catch him.

Officer Terry Webster: Ryker and the dude... a star is born!

Officer Willie Gillis: Yeah. Hey, when you go on television, don't you have to wear makeup or something?

Officer Terry Webster: That's what I hear. I sure wouldn't like to be that guy who comes after Ryker with a powder puff. Read him his rights...You have the right to remain silent, but you do not, do not have the right to come after me with that powder puff!

Officer Willie Gillis: I think I'll rib him about it tomorrow.

Officer Terry Webster: Ah, it's sad to see such suicidal thoughts in the very young.

Officer Willie Gillis: Well, he can't get mad at me for putting him on a little, can he?

Officer Terry Webster: He can, and will!

---

Officer Mike Danko: I think Ryker handled himself pretty well last night.

Officer Willie Gillis: [searching through his locker] Hey, uh,Terry, have you seen my handcuffs anywhere?

Officer Terry Webster: Probably in your belt, Officer Gillis, that's where they're usually attached. What did Jill think?

Officer Mike Danko: She dug it.

Officer Willie Gillis: Hey, has anyone seen my handcuffs?

Officer Terry Webster: You know, there are mornings with you, times that I'm not really sure we're police officers. Members of the seven dwarfs maybe but not police...

Officer Mike Danko: Hey, is it true that Lt Monroe is riding with you two today?

Officer Terry Webster: Unfortunately, yes, Ryker was so gung-ho last night that Monroe said it's something Internal Affairs should look into. So he asked to go on our patrol to see how we interact with the community.

Officer Willie Gillis: And we're the lucky interactors he chose.

[Willie is staring into his locker in disbelief. He doesn't see his hat inside]

Officer Willie Gillis: Oh, come on, you're kidding!

Officer Terry Webster: What's missing now?

Officer Willie Gillis: My hat.

Officer Terry Webster: His hat. It's not hard to figure out which of the dwarfs he is.

Officer Willie Gillis: No, really, my hat's gone; it's not here.

Officer Mike Danko: [reaches into his locker and pulls out a uniform hat and hands it to Willie] Here, you can take my spare. You can check with the custodian in the morning. C'mon, we're late.

[They leave the locker room in a hurry]

The Bear That Didn't Get Up [1.07]

Andrew Levitt: [in the courtroom, sitting at the prosecutor's table] You live alone, do you?

Officer Terry Webster: [at the witness stand] No, sir.

Andrew Levitt: Oh, you're a married man.

Officer Terry Webster: No, sir. I share an apartment with Officer Gillis.

Andrew Levitt: You live with Officer Gillis.

Officer Terry Webster: [staring down the prosecutor] No, I room with Officer Gillis.

Andrew Levitt: [smirking] Same thing...more or less.

The Good Die Young [1.09]

Officer Terry Webster: [about Conway's uniform] That's quite a change.

Officer Peg Conway: No, Terry. This is back to normal. The other way was a change. Nice while it lasted, but like it said on the assignment sheet, 'temporary assignment'.

Officer Terry Webster: Well, we're gonna do a lot more than just see each other once a year at the Policeman's Ball, Peg.

Officer Peg Conway: Mmm-hmmmm, keep talking that talk...

[Peg leans in to kiss Terry]

Lt. Ryker: [the door opens suddenly and Terry and Peg pull apart as Lt Ryker enters the room.] Oh, I'm glad I caught you before you left. I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done, Officer Conway. I wasn't very cordial when you came in and I just wanted to say...

Officer Peg Conway: [smiles] You've said it, Lieutenant, you've said it very nicely. [she holds out her hand to Lt Ryker to shake]

Lt. Ryker: [starts to shake Peg's hand then stops] Can I ask you a question, off the record?

Officer Terry Webster: Anything, Lieutenant.

Lt. Ryker: Well, I try to keep up, you know. Try to look like I know what's going on, I don't want to offend anyone, I don't want to make a fool out of myself... you know what I'm saying?

Officer Terry Webster: Yes, I... no, I... I'm not sure.

Lt. Ryker: [Lt Ryker's arms are still crossed, then he starts demonstrating different handshakes] Handshakes, Webster. It seems like every week, there's a new handshake. I mean, I go to shake hands with a guy, and he slaps my palm, grabs my wrist, makes a fist... I mean, I'm starting to wave at people just so I don't look out of step with what is going on. [looks at Peg] So, how do I shake hands with you, Officer Conway?

[Peg takes hold of Lt Ryker's elbows and she leans over and kisses his right cheek]

Lt. Ryker: That doesn't answer my question, but it's nice...

Officer Terry Webster: Come on, I'll walk you to the car.

Lt. Ryker: Get out of here, Webster!

To Taste of Terror [1.10]

Officer Mike Danko: [holds up a towel for Jill] Madame, your carriage awaits yonder. Would you tell yonder it's here?

Jill Danko: [removes her shower cap and steps out of the shower] Tell yonder I'm ready.

[Mike wraps the towel around Jill and murmurs as he nuzzles her neck]

Jill Danko: Thank you. Oh, come on. I'm all wet.

[Mike kisses Jill on the lips and works his way to her neck]

Jill Danko: I've got surgical duty.

Officer Mike Danko: Ryker wants to ride with me this morning. [continues to kiss Jill] We'll both make it on time.

Jill Danko: Oh, Mike.

Officer Mike Danko: Come on. When are you going to throw that book away?

Jill Danko: What book?

Officer Mike Danko: You know what book. The one on caution and precaution.

Jill Danko: [smiles and nods] Oh, that book.

Officer Mike Danko: Yeah, that book. Michael Danko II, how does that grab you?

Jill Danko: I'm coaxable, but I thought you wanted to wait.

Officer Mike Danko: I did say that and we did wait. Now, I'm proposing again.

Jill Danko: Proposing again?

Officer Mike Danko: Yeah. I asked you once to be my wife and you said yes. Now I'm asking you to be the mother of our kids. Do you need some time to think about it?

Jill Danko: I've had time to think about it. [shrugs] I've had four years and my answer is yes.

---

Officer Terry Webster: You know, I think the reason they put us in cars is so we can move from place to place. They call it "Patrol".

Officer Mike Danko: Yeah, we'll take off in a little bit, okay?

A Bloody Shade of Blue [1.12]

[After snipers shot at Officer Terry Webster and numerous fragments of glass were shattered and blown into his eyes.]

Dr. Cooper: Officer Webster, can you hear me?

Officer Terry Webster: I hear you.

Dr. Cooper: There are a great many slivers of glass in both your eyes, Officer Webster. I'm going to try to remove them, but I need your help. Do you understand what I am saying?

Officer Terry Webster: I understand.

Dr. Cooper: I can't put you to sleep, Officer Webster, because in trauma cases, there's too much of a possibility of... nausea. You've been sedated, but a certain amount of discomfort... will be unavoidable... until the anesthetic takes effect. Do you understand what I've just said to you?

Officer Terry Webster: Sounds like... you're reading me my rights.

Dr. Cooper: I just want to make sure you understand what's going to happen.

Officer Terry Webster: I get it... let's do it.

Dr. Cooper: All right... here we go...

---

Dr. Cooper: There we are... I think we're done, Officer Webster. How are you feeling?

Officer Terry Webster: Flattered.

Dr. Cooper: Don't blame you. I'm going to put a sterile bandage on your eyes now... it'll have to stay on at least a week.

Officer Terry Webster: One thing...

Dr. Cooper: I can't answer it, Officer.

Officer Terry Webster: I haven't asked you anything yet.

Dr. Cooper: You want to know if there will be any permanent impairment. I don't know yet. I got all the pieces I could see; I think I got all the pieces there are, but I can't be sure. Some of them were... infinitesimal.

Officer Terry Webster: Will I lose part of my sight any?

Dr. Cooper: Part or all. Or none. Too soon to know.

[Dr Cooper starts to place a bandage over Terry's eye]

Officer Terry Webster: Hold it... let the nurse do it.

Dr. Cooper: Why?

Officer Terry Webster: This might be the last thing I ever see... I'd prefer it to be her than you.

Dr. Cooper: [nods] Makes sense.

Officer Terry Webster: [to the nurse] Take off your mask.

Lynn: Doctor?

Dr. Cooper: Go ahead

Officer Terry Webster: What's your name?

Lynn: It's Lynn.

Officer Terry Webster: Smile for me, Lynn.

---

Officer Terry Webster: [after his eye surgery.] I've been finding out a lot of things... you know, all that stuff they say about blind people... hearing better... sensing things.

Officer Willie Gillis: Is any of it true?

Officer Terry Webster: I don't know if I hear any better during the day. Sometimes, at night... sometimes... when it's hard to fall asleep, I hear people walking down the halls, cars out on the street. Seems like I hear more than I want to... then. [offers a drink] Want a sip?

Officer Willie Gillis: No, no, that's... that's for you. [pause] I just wanted to... uh... tell you that... I'm sorry.

Officer Terry Webster: Ah, man, nothing to be sorry for.

Officer Willie Gillis: Listen, Terry, if it wasn't for me, none of this... would've happened.

Officer Terry Webster: Oh, don't, Willie, please. Don't start into the 'ifs'. It happened, that's all. Look... if I get out of this with some problem seeing, I'm gonna need my friends. And I don't need anyone being my friend because they feel guilty for something that couldn't be helped. That's not friendship, it's penitence. It's not good to me, to you, or anyone else, you know?

Officer Willie Gillis: Yeah. Ok, I hear you. How 'bout... uh... passing over some of that beer, huh?

Officer Terry Webster: You only brought one can?

Officer Willie Gillis: It's all I could sneak in.

---

[Terry is sitting outside with the nurse]

Lynn: If you couldn't be a cop, what would you be?

Officer Terry Webster: Why do you ask?

Lynn: Because... people like you... don't like cops. At least, that's... that's what they say.

Officer Terry Webster: Well, lots of people like me... have reason not to like cops.

Lynn: Oh... are you gonna stick with it, for the rest of your life?

Officer Terry Webster: I'll tell you about that, once these bandages come off.

Lynn: You frightened?

Officer Terry Webster: [pause] Yes.

Lynn: Terry, have you ever thought...

Officer Terry Webster: [smiles] Hey, don't you ever run out of questions?

Lynn: Well, I told you before, in Bradenton, I never got the chance to talk with... a cop.

Officer Terry Webster: Oh, come off it, Lynn, please... please! It's got nothing to do with my being a policeman. The truth is, you've probably never talked with... really talked with... a black before, male or female. Here's your big chance, you're gonna use me for your experiment.

Lynn: Well, the fact is, yes... I've spent most of my life in private schools and I've never the opportunity to speak with a negra... to a colored person... to someone who is black! [Terry starts laughing] Well, I don't see what's so humorous!

Officer Terry Webster: [stops laughing] Hey, Lynn... Lynn, you there?

Lynn: Yes...

Officer Terry Webster: Tie you a bell around your neck, huh? Ok, ok, ok. Ok, I'm sorry that I laughed. And there's nothing wrong with your wanting to get to know me. But don't tell me it's because of what I do for a living. And don't tell me how to react to that, or well never get anywhere with that.

Lynn: All right. Do you think we could be friends... the other way?

Officer Terry Webster: Well, not till we try.

Lynn: I just wanted to tell you, that I am smiling!

[Lynn pats Terry's arm then she steps back to the bench and sits down; they're both smiling]

---

Dr. Cooper: Light hurt your eyes?

Officer Terry Webster: Yes.

Dr. Cooper: Good, it should. Close them. Nurse, would you open the blinds, please?

[Lynn opens the blinds and the room is flooded with light]

Officer Terry Webster: Well?

Dr. Cooper: Progressing nicely, I'd say. There's still a good deal of swelling, but that's a side effect of the surgery. The more it goes down, the more I'll be able to see. But, from what I can see at this point, looks... all right.

Officer Terry Webster: How long do the bandages stay on?

Dr. Cooper: Another week at least, maybe longer.

Officer Terry Webster: Do I have to stay in the hospital?

Dr. Cooper: Why? Don't you like it here?

Officer Terry Webster: Food's lousy... but the people are all right.

Lynn: Why, thank you, sir.

Dr. Cooper: Miss Everett, would you start the paperwork to get this guy out of here? He's saying nasty things about our hospital.

Lynn: [smiles] Right away, Doctor.

Dr. Cooper: Now, when you're back home, I want you to take it easy. And no yielding to temptation and start taking those bandages off to get a little peek. That's ruined more good operations than you can shake a stick at.

Officer Terry Webster: Oh, I'm not gonna shake a stick at anything. My doctor told me to take it easy.

Dr. Cooper: And your doctor means it.

Snow Job [1.17]

Jill Danko: That's no cop. That's my husband.

The Wheel of Death [1.20]

Jill Danko: Right this way, Officer. [walks away]

Officer Terry Webster: Follow that woman.

Officer Mike Danko: [grins] To the ends of the earth.

---

Jill Danko: [opens the hospital room door of Jimmy Essex, a sick, lonesome little boy.] Jimmy, I've got you a couple of friends.

Officer Terry Webster: Hey, Jimmy, I'm Terry Webster.

Jimmy: Hi.

Officer Mike Danko: Hi, Jimmy, I'm Mike Danko.

Jimmy: Hello... Danko? Hey, is he your husband, Mrs. Danko?

Jill Danko: The very same.

Jimmy: He's not such a bad-looking guy... I mean, the way you talked... [laughs] She didn't really say that...

Officer Mike Danko: [laughs] Well, that's ok, Jimmy. I'm used to that kind of treatment by now. You don't have to spare my feelings.

Officer Terry Webster: Uh... what you playing?

Jimmy: Oh, 'War'.

Officer Terry Webster: 'War'? I used to play that all the time when I was a kid, and man, did I cheat! Do you?

Jimmy: Me, too.

Officer Terry Webster: Naaah.

Jimmy: I'm not too good at cards, anyway. My dad, though, is really good.

Life Robbery [1.21]

Mrs. Fullmer: [explaining a key on her keyring to the police officers] The ladies' steam room at the club. It's where my husband is right now.

Easy Money [1.23]

Officer Willie Gillis: [after subduing some thugs] You all right, sir?

Mr. Fisher: Sure, sure.

Cal Davis: [ambracing his sister] You ok?

Susan Davis: Yeah. You?

Cal Davis: It's all right.

Officer Terry Webster: [to a handcuffed thug] Easy, Crater, easy. 'Cuz this is one game I do know how to play.

Cast

• Georg Stanford Brown - Officer Terry Webster
• Sam Melville - Officer Mike Danko
• Michael Ontkean - Officer Willie Gillis (seasons 1–2)
• Kate Jackson - Jill Danko
• Gerald S. O'Loughlin - Lieutenant Ed Ryker
• Bruce Fairbairn - Officer Chris Owens (seasons 3–4)

External links

• The Rookies quotes at the Internet Movie Database