The Rookie Season 8, Episode 11, “Aftermath” 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.
The aftermath of last week’s “His Name Was Martin” is a mostly solid episode that focuses on character building. For Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen, it thankfully provides enough conversations for us to see that the series isn’t making light of her trauma. This was Lucy’s first kill, and it was different in circumstances despite being self-defense. “Aftermath” is incredible in a lot of ways, but especially in how it supplies plenty of room for Melissa O’Neil to shine.
If she isn’t on every weekly best-of performer list, there’s little justice left, but at the same time, this might’ve even secured a best of the year performance mention when lists start to come up. I know it will for us because everything O’Neil delivers in “Aftermath” is astounding.
The Rookie Season 8, Episode 11 Gently Assures Viewers That Chenford Are a Team
There’s a lot that works this week, but I’m floored by Tim’s gentle reassurance and how he pairs it with bravery to be Lucy’s strength. For starters, there’s something about the way he sits down on their bed and reaches his hand forward, subtly nudging it closer to her until she takes it. In some ways, that’s Tim’s version of needing the reassurance of her touch before he clarifies to her that the reason he’s okay with everything is that she’s alive and well beside him.
When he punctuates the sentiment with the actual words to her, he reminds her of how deeply he loves her. If he’d lost her, he’d lose everything. He wouldn’t recover from that. “For me, it is very simple. You’re alive because you did what you had to do to stay that way.” The selfishness in this moment is so remarkably human that it’s heartbreaking. Because Lucy is also right in that Martin wasn’t a violent criminal, but he was a victim, too, despite the fact that the chemicals had made him homicidal.
More than anything, the gentle reminder to Lucy that it’d also be okay if she needed more time is Tim’s way of being a better communicator. She just needs to talk to him. She needs to tell him how she feels. They need to work through it together, which also makes sense that he’d go on patrol with her. In a lot of ways, it’s not about not trusting that she’s ready, but it’s simultaneously him needing the physical proof that she’s okay. And in that regard, no one is a better partner to her on the field than he is. It’s how they started in the first place.
The last moments at the parking lot bring these emotions to a head as Lucy voices her frustrations that he didn’t trust her, and Tim immediately apologizes, explaining how, while that wasn’t the case, he wasn’t fully listening. The maturity here and the transparency that we continue to watch strengthen between the two of them is what’s making Season 8 stand out so far. The communication is not only there, but it’s the way they read off one another and match each other’s tone that works best to showcase how far they’ve come. And the best part is, they’re not even trying too hard because now, apologies are easier and more effortless.
It’s easy for Lucy to say that what she needs is to open up to Martin’s sister, and it’s easy for Tim to remind her of what she knows about protocol before doing so. In more ways than one, eyes are on Melissa O’Neil in this episode, but credit where it’s also due, Eric Winter is doing plenty to bring out a softness in his tone that feels especially moving. It’s always present around Lucy because we know how Tim melts around her, but in The Rookie Season 8, Episode 11, “Aftermath,” he’s also reminding us of the fact that Tim would give the world for her, and it’s so lovely to witness.
Melissa O’Neil Delivers An Excellent Performance in “Aftermath”
O’Neil is consistently an excellent performer, and we’re often singing her praises here at Lady Geeks Media, but I was particularly in awe of the full range of emotions this week. It’s not often that an episode of The Rookie makes me cry, and I wept with her as she recounted the attack to Martin’s sister. She wasn’t a police officer covering for her actions, but at that moment, she was solely a human being, trying to give another human being closure about something that’s impossible to understand.
Because the reality is, even if they learn more about this chemical, it doesn’t change that lives were lost. It doesn’t change the fact that Martin’s sister will never have all the answers because grief is horrible and heartbreaking, and some things will never make sense fully.
Still, Lucy’s vulnerability in putting herself out there and putting aside protocol is the decision to put her heart back on her sleeve. It’s her way of understanding how awful it’s all been and her way of maybe helping someone else. And the uncertainties of the situation are on full display as Melissa O’Neil reveals just how deeply this kill cuts Lucy. She isn’t going to forget Martin. She’s going to carry his loss with her, but at the same time, she has to do her best and protect others, which is exactly what we see earlier in the episode.
There are moments where O’Neil makes Lucy feel so small, so dejected, and so worn out that watching her is hard. It’s heartbreaking to witness because she ensures that we, as the audience, feel her aches, too. Still, it’s incredible work, and how Melissa O’Neil continues to layer her is exactly what makes her such an incredibly nuanced and easy to adore character.
Now streaming on Hulu: What are your thoughts on Chenford’s scenes in The Rookie Season 8, Episode 11, “Aftermath?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: (Disney/Mike Taing)