The Rookie Season 7, Episode 11, “Speed” 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.
Finally—some progress and a real conversations. For a minute there, I assumed The Rookie’s “Speed” would continue to do absolutely nothing, but we thankfully have something discernible that feels right.
When Lucy catches herself accidentally flirting with Tim, she openly pulls back and states that it wasn’t her intention. Tim tells her he doesn’t mind (which, of course, he doesn’t), but that leads to an actual admission of truth from Lucy, which is that she still hasn’t forgiven him. Though I think we still need to see Tim in therapy more because a single session in “The Mickey” isn’t going to help combat all his demons, it’s a good thing that we’re finally getting Lucy’s perspective now, too. (Note: Tim can be making progress off-screen, but as viewers, we do need some sort of callback to it still.)
Ultimately, it not only makes sense that Lucy still hasn’t forgiven Tim, but the fact that she stumbles on her words also works to showcase great writing because this isn’t an easy thing to admit. Chenford Chats were noticeably absent last week because there was literally nothing to say, but the conversation on duty this week changes course by addressing how awkward things really are with them. We’ve always known that Lucy is a bit more sensitive than Tim—she’s more open with her emotions, yet she was clearly so heartbroken by their breakup that she repressed so much of it, focusing on how to help him instead of how to help herself.
The fact that she voices her truth in The Rookie Season 7, Episode 11, “Speed,” is a big step in the right direction toward letting go. Sometimes, the most important thing a person can do is vocalize what’s trapping them, and that’s exactly what happens here. It also acts as substantial proof of how deeply Lucy loves Tim because the pain is worse as a result. If she loved him any less, it’d be easier and quicker to forgive him. But Tim is the most important person in her life. He’s not just her co-worker. He’s not even her friend. Tim Bradford is Lucy Chen’s person, and when he shut her out, he broke her a little. He broke the trust they’d fortified, and he forced every wall back up.
Still, Lucy fought through every barricade. She kept showing up, and she kept fighting. No matter how unbearably it’s clearly been for her, she consistently put aside her pain to be there for him. At this moment, all of that finally draws to the surface as we understand that she’s still holding on to the shadows looming over them. She’s still deep in the trenches, putting on armor to shield herself. Still, Lucy fought through every barricade. She kept showing up, and she kept fighting. No matter how unbearable it’s clearly been for her, she consistently put aside her pain to be there for him.
At this moment, all of that finally draws to the surface as we understand that she’s still holding on to the shadows looming over them. She’s still deep in the trenches, putting on armor to shield herself. But she’ll get through it. (It’s also why she lets him know that she isn’t seeing anyone else and doesn’t intend to.) She’ll move past this pain and forgive him. She can’t not. She loves him too much not to do so and because she wants to forgive.
What’s also important about this scene is the softness of this interaction. There’s no hint of malice in either Lucy’s acknowledgment that she hasn’t forgiven him or in Tim’s “I know.” This is where Melissa O’Neil and Eric Winter continue to shine so brilliantly as scene partners because what they’re evoking in this moment is an indescribable form of respect between two people. They’re showing us how comfortable the characters are with each other and how much of that adoration is truly etched into all their conversations. This tender vulnerability is what makes the scene even more rewarding than the actual words spoken aloud because they add a plethora of depth to the dialogue.
Chenford is basically back to being a slow burn right now, and at the very least, the angst now feels a bit more earned and understandable. The fact that we’re finally getting admissions from both parties allows us to see that they’re also still thinking about it. They want it. Tim’s giving her space. Lucy is working on forgiving him again. The dominos are aligned, and we simply need the push to propel everything forward again. We need them back in a place where they’ll finally have an even more concrete foundation to stand on. Surviving all of this is what’s going to ensure that when they are back together, it’ll be for good this time.
Related Content: (Post Release) The Step Backward for Chenford in The Rookie’s ‘April Fools’ Is Still Frustrating
Now streaming on Hulu: What are your thoughts on Chenford’s scenes in The Rookie Season 7, Episode 11, “Speed?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ABC