The seventh season of the police procedural drama, The Rookie, is edging ever closer to its season finale. In the season finale of Season 6, fans of the beloved couple, Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter), were somewhat shocked when Tim broke things off. Throughout the current season, the pair have maintained their will-they-won’t-they dynamic, with occasional steamy meetups. The state of affairs regarding Chenford was finally addressed by its main stakeholders this week, and now, it’d seem like a romance which has had fans of the show obsessed for some time now, is set to take on a new life.
Showrunner Alexi Hawley has been the mind behind steering this romantic boat, and the couple’s recent road towards reconciliation. The road to reconciliation for the pair hinged on Lucy’s forgiveness, and it wasn’t something the officer was inclined to offer freely. However, those feelings have since passed, and now, while speaking to Screen Rant, Hawley was asked what posed the biggest challenge to Chenford’s reunification. Lucy’s upcoming sergeant exams were brought up and the showrunner responded, saying:
“I think that’s part of it for sure. I think there is an obstacle that’s very real that needs to be addressed. And I also think that, in theory, down the road, there could be some trepidation or fear about, “What if it’s not like it was before?” I think it’s not quite as easy as, “Pass the sergeant’s exam, bam, we’re back together again.” But I do think, obviously, the story we’ve been telling this season is that the desire has been proven to be there, but once it’s real, what’s it going to be if it happens?”
Lucy’s forgiveness is not one Tim has earned easily, as he has undergone some growth since his debacle in the Season 6 finale. However, Lucy’s confession didn’t necessarily come willingly, as the couple’s interaction with sodium pentothal (commonly known as truth serum), aided the quest. Lucy’s admission of forgiving Tim, which equally shocked her, wasn’t the only piece of truth extracted by contact with sodium pentothal. Tim admitted that breaking up with Lucy was a way of punishing himself, due to certain childhood traumas.
Lucy and Tim’s relationship has always had beautiful potential, but it has also been bumpy. While some, like ADA Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore) have rooted for the relationship, others, like Lt. Grey (Richard T. Jones), are slightly more skeptical. Showrunner Hawley has confirmed though that the show has been heading in the direction of reconciliation for some time now. “Throughout the season up until this point, we have been heading in that direction [of getting them back together],” the showrunner said. Adding, “I do think her moment of realizing that she has now fully forgiven him is sort of the most important moment that happens there.”
