William Shatner plays a lone wolf cop who has an obsession to get drug dealers off the streets. The character acting is in the usual Shatner style - over the top. Although Shatner plays a policeman who turns vigilante, it really feels like you are watching him audition for the T. J. Hooker character!
The actual link to T. J. Hooker is Rick Huskey who was writer on the show when this Rookies episode was filmed. Rick Huskey was also the creator of T. J. Hooker a few years later, which was apparently intended to be similar to The Rookies.
The actual link to T. J. Hooker is Rick Huskey who was writer on the show when this Rookies episode was filmed. Rick Huskey was also the creator of T. J. Hooker a few years later, which was apparently intended to be similar to The Rookies.