The installment ends with both characters admitting they don’t regret what happened between them. However, it can never occur again for several reasons, such as Tim being back in Lucy’s chain of command. Although Tim and Lucy’s emotional bond has been apparent since season 1, “The Gala” highlights how their physical connection and attraction to one another remain at play.
ScreenRant interviews star Melissa O’Neil about the events of The Rookie season 7, episode 6. She discusses the massive development between Lucy and Tim and dives into Lucy’s feelings about the sergeant. O’Neil also teases how the episode might affect Chenford’s dynamic going forward.
O’Neil Confirms That Lucy Is Wearing The Necklace From Tim In The Rookie Season 7, Episode 6
“That was kind of her response to knowing that Bradford was bringing someone to the gala.”
ScreenRant: The first thing I’m curious about is if Lucy’s wearing the necklace that Tim gave her.
Melissa O’Neil: She is wearing it at the gala. I asked Alexi specifically about that because the fans really pay attention, and they really pay attention to the jewelry choices because Lucy has received some significant pieces of jewelry that are tied to the story. And of course something precious given to her by Bradford is going to be very significant to us in this world.
Because I saw it in the script, I was like, “Hold on a minute. Why is she wearing this? What is this about?” because we don’t exactly address it in the episode. Alexi told me that that was kind of her response to knowing that Bradford was bringing someone to the gala–that she was like, “I’m going to put on a really nice dress and I’m going to put on my necklace from him because I don’t know who’s coming.” I kind of love this sassy subtext that we never really address, but is there.
It’s obviously a big episode for Chenford. It felt inevitable that something would happen eventually, but were you surprised they slept together when you read the script?
Melissa O’Neil: I was very surprised. I had a mini protest. I was like, “Hold on a minute. They haven’t talked to each other. Wait, wait, wait, what’s going on?” So, I did feel a certain type of way when I originally read the script, but the joy of that, also, was to kind of figure out, “Okay, how do we protect and preserve who we know these people to be while still ending up in the place that the script is taking us?”
We spent a lot of time collaborating, especially with our wonderful director Lanre, trying to figure out how can we make sure that, in the blocking of this intimate moment, it’s something that happens to them incidentally because of proximity and because of their irresistible connection, and not because she’s been vying to get there since she saw him at the gala. That was really important to me. It was important to me that him getting cut and her saying, “I’ll help you with it,” wasn’t just like a, “Let me come to your room.”
It was important to me that it wasn’t characterized like that, and that instead it was a sincere offer because of their intimacy and because of their longstanding relationship to take care of each other. I think in that moment she’s like, “Dude, you have a fricking cut. You might have glass in there. Stop. Let’s go clean you up,” and they have every intention to do that. And I think we accomplish that. They’re not even looking at each other.
She’s getting the first aid kit together and then he stands up to get helped and then all of a sudden they’re just so close and looking at each other, I’m sure they could smell each other, and they just can’t help it. It’s a very powerful connection that they have, and I think, because of the environment and the fact that they are in a hotel room, she’s dressed up in a way that she’s never dressed up… then life happens.
O’Neil Teases What The Future Could Hold For Chenford
“It’s going to be interesting to see the consequences of this action that they’ve taken.”
It’s been seeming like Tim wants to mend their relationship, but does Lucy get that sense from him? Does she think that Tim wants to reconcile romantically?
Melissa O’Neil: I think that that’s not what’s important to her. A lot of what I inform Lucy’s stuff [with] has to do with her in-story emotional intelligence. We know that Lucy’s got a frigging degree in psychology. She’s spent a lot of time thinking about these things and analyzing herself as well. And I think a person’s intention matters less than their actions, so whether or not he wants to reconcile is besides the point.
Is he going to do what needs to be done to do that? Is he going to have the conversation? Is he going to take accountability for what happened? I think that’s important for her. In that moment in the hotel, I mean, I think that’s a part of why she says, “We shouldn’t.” She knows that look, she’s very familiar with that look, and she’s like, “No.”
So, with regards to that, I think it’s very clear. But with regards to the overarching idea of their romantic reconciliation, I think she is waiting because he’s the one that left. She’s there, but I think she’s probably too proud to say, “I want you back.” He already says, “I can’t do this,” and I’m not sure Lucy would be someone to be like, “I know you said you don’t want it, but how about now?” I don’t think she’s that kind of girl.
Is there anything you can tease going forward now that they have–
Melissa O’Neil: Broken the seal? [Laughs]
[Laughs] Yes.
Melissa O’Neil: It’s going to be interesting to see the consequences of this action that they’ve taken, how it affects them in their frequently path-crossing spaces at work, and how they’ll navigate that inner tension. I like to think that they probably had a really good time and it’s a nice reminder of everything that’s sweet about them because they know that all of the other stuff works too.
Actually, everything about them seems to work. They work well. They’re good teammates. They have, obviously, a really beautiful physical connection. When they do talk, it’s very open and candid, but what’s happening right now is a willingness and a repair that hasn’t taken place.
I think it’ll be really fun for the audience to see how they navigate the inner tension of the consequences of cracking the seal, what that means for their desire between the two of them, and the fact that they need to be professionals. And not only that they need to, but they can’t help themselves but to be professionals. They’re both good at their jobs and knowing how to check the personal stuff at the door… or are they?
About The Rookie’s Latest Episode
Season 7, Episode 6, “The Gala”
It’s Valentine’s Day, and Lt. Grey gives Tim and Lucy an unromantic assignment; John and Celina track down a missing girl; the team sharpens up for a charity gala where multiple relationships come to a head.
