The Rookie’s central couple is back to the will-they/won’t-they stage of their relationship in season 7, and Tim and Lucy’s slow-burn return is ultimately for the best. Tim and Lucy met during the pilot of ABC’s police procedural show, but they didn’t get together until season 5. Their relationship slowly developed from a rookie/training officer dynamic to a friendship, and, finally, to a romance once they acknowledged their feelings for one another. Fans had to wait a long time for them to become a couple, just for Tim and Lucy to break up in The Rookie season 6.
Tim and Lucy’s breakup made sense at the time. He had to confront his demons before he felt he could be good enough for Lucy. Consequently, Tim has been attending therapy. When the time is right, Tim should be ready to be in a committed, serious relationship with Lucy, but the writers shouldn’t rush their reconciliation. Luckily, for Tim and Lucy’s relationship and season 7 as a whole, The Rookie hasn’t sped up the inevitable reunion. Instead, the show is opting to circle back to the fan-favorite couple’s slow burn, which is a big help for the failing seventh season.
The Rookie Season 7 Has Been Disappointing Thus Far
Season 7 Isn’t Anything Special After 3 Episodes
The Rookie season 7, episode 1 was quite underwhelming in how it handled Aaron’s exit and the season 6 finale cliffhangers. However, the series appeared to be turning things around in episode 2. Overlooked characters (e.g. Angela and Nyla) got more screen time, while the hour thoughtfully continued to develop the new rookies’ characters in intriguing ways. Unfortunately, all the progress made in The Rookie season 7, episode 2 was undone by episode 3.
The Rookie season 7, episode 3 was quite tedious and forgettable. It focused on Nolan’s reckless choices concerning Jason’s escape, Miles and Seth’s frustrating insubordination, and the confusing return of a character from season 2. Ultimately, episode 3 did little to move the plot forward. So far, The Rookie season 7 has been a bore, with little intrigue surrounding the Big Bads, forgettable (or lack of) “case of the week” mysteries, and Aaron’s glossed-over exit. Season 7’s only saving grace is how it has maneuvered Tim and Lucy’s relationship following their breakup in season 6.
Why A Slow Burn Approach Is The Best Way To Tackle Tim & Lucy’s Relationship
Tim & Lucy Are At Their Best In A Slow Burn
Tim and Lucy’s eventual reunion has to be handled with care in The Rookie season 7, and it has been. It would be a mistake to push them back together before they’re ready. As of episode 3, not enough progress has been made between Tim and Lucy for them to be equipped to reconcile. They must talk and work through the problems that tore them apart in the first place. So far, Tim and Lucy’s dynamic in The Rookie season 7 has only included teasing and flirting, which is exactly how it should be.
Tim and Lucy are ultimately at their best when they’re in the slow-burn stage of their relationship, and the writers are using that knowledge to their advantage. The build-up to Tim and Lucy getting together was immaculate. Their slow burn was full of flirting (whether on purpose or not), delightful confusion, and development that made viewers crave more. Now, The Rookie season 7 is taking Tim and Lucy’s relationship back to its will-they/won’t-they phase, dragging out their reunion so that when it happens, it’s all the more satisfying.
