Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →“Darkness Falling,” The Rookie season 7 episode 4, launches a high-stakes, multi-part investigation while setting familiar questions about guilt, morality, and the rights of the accused beside three ongoing character threads. The scale gives the hour momentum; CBR’s review argues that its moral territory feels well traveled. Lucy also grows suspicious of Seth, but suspicion is not proof.
Episode details and premise
“Darkness Falling” is episode 4 of The Rookie season 7. ABC Press gives its original U.S. air date as January 28, 2025; ABC’s episode page displays January 29, a one-day discrepancy between the listings. ABC lists the episode as TV-14 with a 43-minute runtime. ABC’s episode listing and ABC Press’s episode guide outline the story.
The official synopsis gives the hour three strands: Wesley returns to the DA’s office, where his past connects him to the team’s investigation; Bailey and John have conflicting feelings about safety; and Lucy grows suspicious of Seth. CBR’s episode review describes the investigation as the start of a multi-part story with a high body count. That scale signals a shift from the preceding street-level episodes without requiring the episode to abandon its ensemble framework.
Does the new case earn its scale?
The investigation supplies the episode with urgency and a larger narrative horizon. A case that continues beyond one hour can create suspense that a self-contained call cannot, and Wesley’s personal connection gives the premise a route into character as well as procedure. The official synopsis, however, does not spell out the case mechanics or its outcome, so the review is strongest when judged on the tensions it establishes rather than on details it does not confirm.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
CBR’s criticism is less about the case’s size than the ideas surrounding it. Brittany Frederick’s review says, “The episode examines morality, guilt and the rights of the accused, with little new to say on the matter.” That is a judgment about the episode’s treatment, not a settled verdict on the material itself. The underlying questions matter, but a familiar procedural dilemma can feel recycled when the hour does not make its competing obligations newly specific. The result, in CBR’s reading, is a bold case premise carrying a more conventional moral argument.
Three threads, one ensemble
Wesley and the investigation
Wesley’s return to the DA’s office links his professional past to the case. That connection is a natural way to make an investigative arc personal without reducing it to a string of procedural developments. It also puts the episode’s questions about accused people and justice close to a character whose work is tied to the legal system. The premise promises that intersection, though the synopsis alone cannot establish how fully the episode develops it.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Bailey and John on safety
Bailey and John’s disagreement over safety offers a smaller-scale counterpoint to the investigation. It takes the broad idea of risk and brings it into a relationship, where different instincts can matter as much as official procedure. Whether that thread deepens the central themes or pulls focus depends on how it is balanced against the case; the synopsis confirms the conflict, not its resolution.
Lucy grows suspicious of Seth
Lucy’s suspicion of Seth adds uncertainty to the ensemble story. The key distinction is between concern and evidence: the official premise says Lucy grows suspicious, but does not establish that Seth has done anything wrong. Melissa O’Neil described Lucy to TV Insider as someone who “perpetually, to a fault, gave people the benefit of the doubt and was always giving them chance after chance after chance.” That interview provides useful context for why a change in Lucy’s level of trust can register as character movement. It is O’Neil’s description of Lucy, not dialogue from this episode.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Does the episode feel like a turning point?
The strongest case for “Darkness Falling” is its change in scale: a continuing investigation and Wesley’s connection give the hour a clear engine, while the safety disagreement and Lucy’s suspicion keep the focus on the ensemble. The potential weakness is fragmentation. Three personal strands can enrich a procedural episode, but they can also compete for space if none is allowed to develop beyond its setup. The official synopsis establishes the breadth; it does not, by itself, settle how cohesive the finished hour feels.
Critical responses reflect that divide rather than a single consensus. Rotten Tomatoes lists CBR’s review at 7/10 and TV Fanatic’s Jasmine Blu at 4.4/5. Blu called it “Inarguably the strongest hour thus far.” Those are two critics’ reactions, not audience measurements. Together, they show how the same combination of a larger case and character threads can read either as a welcome peak or as familiar material handled competently.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Verdict
“Darkness Falling” gives season 7 a more ambitious case framework and ties it to Wesley’s past, while using Bailey and John’s safety dispute and Lucy’s doubts about Seth to widen the character focus. The episode’s central risk is that its scale promises fresh momentum while its moral questions revisit familiar procedural ground. CBR makes that critique explicitly; TV Fanatic’s much warmer response is a reminder that the hour’s strengths land differently for different critics.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
