The Rookie season 8 episode 8, Grand Theft Aircraft, will pick up after the events in episode 7, Baja.
In episode 7, Lucy Chen and Nyla Harper went undercover in Mexico to investigate the murders of two young women who appeared to have been killed by the cartel. The undercover operation resulted in multiple arrests of those connected with drug trafficking. However, the murder of those two women was eventually determined to be a result of a botched robbery by a person the two women had met while travelling.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, rookie officer Miles Penn, John Nolan’s partner, is being subjected to extremely serious disciplinary measures for a stakeout conducted during his own time and without supervisors’ authorization. The stakeout nearly cost Miles his job as a police officer.
The Rookie season 8 episode 8 will focus on Nolan and Garza’s failed mission, the growing rift between Lucy and Tim, and a city-wide manhunt for a suspect when it airs on February 23, 2026, at 10 pm ET on ABC.
When does The Rookie season 8 episode 8 come out? Release time for all major time zones
The Rookie season 8 episode 8 will air on ABC on February 23, 2026, at 10 pm ET. The episode will be available on Hulu the next day.
Here’s the complete release window:
How many episodes are left in The Rookie season 8?
The Rookie season 8 has followed ABC’s standard weekly streaming rollout, with new episodes released weekly. Season 8 consists of 18 episodes. As of the release of The Rookie season 8 episode 8, 11 episodes remain to air before the end of the season.
A brief recap of The Rookie season 8 episode 7
The Rookie season 8 episode 7, Baja, sees the Mid-Wilshire team investigate a chilling double homicide that leads Lucy Chen and Nyla Harper undercover in Mexico. Two young women are found dead, and the police suspect they were drug mules, so they go undercover as a “van life” couple to track down their criminal connections in Baja.
Harper and Lucy’s undercover mission is to track down drug suspects, with the FBI helping to solve the case. However, it becomes clear through evidence and surveillance that the real murderer was a man named Chase, not a member of a large cartel, and he is arrested for the murder of the victims, Jordan and Courtney.
Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, John Nolan and rookie cop Miles Penn are on a surveillance mission that goes badly when Miles goes off protocol and chases a suspect off-duty, putting the entire case and Miles’ future with the LAPD at risk. Nolan fights for Miles, and he is punished but not fired. The episode also delves into Nolan’s long-distance relationship as Bailey leaves for her job.
What to expect from The Rookie season 8 episode 8?
In The Rookie season 8 episode 8, Grand Theft Aircraft, the Mid-Wilshire police officers must deal with the consequences of their individual cases and a new, larger, more complex investigation. The ambitious operation headed by Nolan and Garza ultimately didn’t succeed and will cause the team to rethink how to handle difficult cases in the future.
Lucy and Tim will likely face difficulties in their relationship with the arrival of a surprise visitor. A hunt for a specific criminal will also occur throughout Los Angeles, with the team using the lessons they’ve learned from past failures to help catch this suspect. Each of the above-mentioned plotlines will increase tension and development of each character after episode seven.
The Rookie season 8 episode 8 will premiere on February 23, 2026.
Edited by Toshali Kritika
