Lamb to the Slaughter

This one is about Ryker trying to help out a criminal's young son.

This is a terrible episode as it focuses mostly on the kid and on Ryker's attempts to help him and not much on the rookies, and if that wasn't bad enough, the kid is a brat, is a dreadful actor and his hair is all messed up.

Kate Jackson got her hair cut between seasons and I don't like the new look. It looked better when it was longer.

There are no chases but there are a couple of shootouts that are worth seeing but beyond that this one is a flop as the focus is almost entirely on the kid and I didn't care about him or his problems.

Season four is off to a bad start.

This is a well written and well acted episode about a topic often overlooked in police dramas... the difficulties faced by children of convicted criminals. There's little traditional gunplay or chase scenes, but rather a very compelling drama done well.

Lieutenant Ryker is a wonderful combination of a curmudgeonly, by the book officer, but with compassion and a true will to help others. His explanation to Jody about why his father hit him being that he was really angry at Ryker himself is both honest and spot on... and a great example of his character.

The Rookies is an excellent drama series, not just another cop show. Having almost reached the end of the series now, it is highly recommended.