The Rookie Season 7, Episode 5, “Til Death” Spoilers Ahead
Welcome to Chenford Chats, a column dedicated solely to highlighting Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen’s interactions during the latest episode of The Rookie.
It’s another word ending in y, and The Rookie’s “Til Death” still gives us the barest of bare minimums when it comes to the development between Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen. It’s certainly a riveting episode overall, mostly for everything we get with Harper, but that’s not why we’re here. We’re here for the romance, and when it comes to Chenford right now, the romance is sadly lacking. Still, there’s something.
We continue to see proof that the trust between Tim and Lucy is unwavering. We also get a reminder that Tim hates long-distance relationships, which is fascinating given Rachel’s return and because we know that if it was with Lucy, he’d want to make it work. There’s no doubt about that in my mind, and I doubt a lot of things about fictional characters. I especially doubt when it comes to fictional characters in procedurals. However, sometimes—or rather often—it’s just about the specific couple and how they make something work. And in this hypothetical world, Chenford would make it work.
Because if nothing else, The Rookie Season 7, Episode 5, “Til Death,” gives us further evidence that Lucy and Tim are consistently there for each other. It’s irritating that this whole Ridley situation is still so convoluted, but it still shows viewers that Lucy could’ve confided in anyone else. She chose Tim. She continues to choose Tim, and much of that boils down to the trust and the understanding that no one will be more transparent than he is. Additionally, the fact that she continues to choose Tim is proof that he’s still her person in every area, even at work, which is where all of this began.
The end of the episode continues to make this Ridley situation a little longer than necessary, yet Tim’s willingness to trust Lucy when she makes a decision is huge. It’s huge in the sense that it showcases how he trusts very few people the way he trusts her. It’s huge in the sense that he knows her decisions don’t come lightly, and he’s willing to stand beside her no matter what. I also find it interesting that she questions how he doesn’t doubt her, to which he boldly affirms it’s her call to make, and they can talk to Grey together. Only, they can’t do that because Ridley’s beaten them to it. Still, the fact that he was willing to stand beside her to ensure she wasn’t alone? That’s the Tim Bradford I know and love. And so does Lucy.
“Til Death” still marks the early stages of this new season, but it simultaneously feels like the show’s been back on air for months now. This is especially the case because of our own frustrations regarding Chenford’s relationship, yet I’m also not one to complain about a slow burn. I’d simply prefer bigger crumbs than the ones we’ve gotten this week and in last week’s “Darkness Falling.” There’s no doubt in my mind that they’re endgame, and we don’t need tireless proof, but we do need progress, and maybe next week’s episode will deliver on that front.
Now streaming on Hulu: What are your thoughts on Chenford’s scenes in The Rookie Season 7, Episode 5, “Til Death” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ABC