Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Rookie season 7 premiere.On Tuesday, January 7, The Rookie kicked off its seventh season on ABC after a six-month hiatus. The premiere is titled, “The Shot,” and sees fan-favorite pairing, Tim (Eric Winter) and Lucy (Melissa O’Neil), return to their lighthearted dynamic by making a classic Chenford bet. Ever since the couple broke up in season 6, their interactions have been weighed down by what they’ve lost. Lucy’s temporary role as training officer allows the two to go head-to-head, with Tim suggesting they compete to see who can train the better rookie.
During an interview with ScreenRant, showrunner Alexi Hawley teases plenty of obstacles for Tim and Lucy in The Rookie season 7, despite their strong start. While they both have a desire to reconcile, Lucy may struggle to trust Tim going forward. Hawley also points out that Tim is once again Lucy’s supervisor, making a romance between them unethical. Check out his full quote below:
ScreenRant: It was a great episode for Tim and Lucy. Now that they’re in a better place, are you trying to get back to that will they/won’t they dynamic? What can you share about their storyline going forward?
Alexi Hawley: Yeah, I mean, I think we are. I don’t think you could avoid it. Their chemistry is so dynamic. It’s just baked in. But part of the journey that they’re on is, what does it look like going forward? And are the feelings still there? And if they are, can Lucy trust him again? And if so, he’s still her supervisor, which means it’s not okay, right? So there are all these obstacles still, but I think, obviously, there’s a desire down at the core of this for that to happen.
Why Tim Breaks Up With Lucy In The Rookie Season 6
He’s Ashamed Of His Past Mistakes
When Ray Watkins returns to take revenge on Tim, the sergeant finds himself at a crossroads. He wants to be honest about the falsified after-action report, but telling Lucy about his transgression would jeopardize the officer’s career. Tim keeps her in the dark, which drives a major wedge between them in The Rookie season 6.
Exclusive: Showrunner Alexi Hawley discusses whether Aaron Thorsen could return to The Rookie and the creative reasoning behind his departure.
He lies to Internal Affairs to protect Lucy and Angela, but the act causes Tim to reevaluate the content of his character. He claims that he can’t go back to how things were before and breaks up with Lucy outside the precinct in “Secrets and Lies.” Although she tries to change his mind, he remains adamant that she deserves better.
Chenford’s Scenes In The Rookie Season 7 Premiere Emphasize An Undeniable Truth
Tim And Lucy Are Happiest When They’re In Each Other’s Lives
Regardless of their current relationship status, Tim and Lucy are each other’s person. The latter half of season 6 took a somber turn after the couple broke up, as they have always served as the show’s emotional core. Their misery could be felt through the screen and even affected the trajectory of their individual storylines. The Rookie premiere is a breath of fresh air, with Tim and Lucy finally finding their way back into one another’s lives.
The Rookie
The Rookie follows John Nolan, a small-town man who, after a significant life event, becomes the oldest rookie at the Los Angeles Police Department. As he begins his policing career, Nolan faces skepticism from his superiors, testing his resolve to succeed in this challenging new role.
