Tim Bradford Finally Found Closure With His Ex-Girlfriend Rachel Hall
Ever since the Season 2 finale, “Under the Gun,” we have been questioning what happened to Tim’s ex-girlfriend, Rachel Hall (Jasmine Mathews). The series oddly never referenced Rachel for several years, especially when Tim began dating Lucy, who also happens to be Rachel’s close friend. Additionally, Lucy set up Tim and Rachel on their first date! Rachel made a sudden and shocking return to The Rookie almost five years later in the Season 7 episode, “Out of Pocket,” which finally answers unresolved questions about their relationship, giving much-needed closure to both Tim and the audience.
Tim Bradford Embraces Being ‘More Emotionally Available’ in Season 7
Later in “The Mickey,” Tim also serves as an emotional sounding board to John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), who is dealing with marital issues with his wife, Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan). In Season 7, Episode 5, “Till Death,” Bailey texted the assassin, Malvado (Jimmy Gonzalez), who later executed Bailey’s abusive ex-husband, Jason Wyler (Steve Kazee). Nolan later learned about Bailey’s communication with Malvado, causing a rift between the couple. Tim is no stranger to trust issues with a spouse, due to his broken marriage with Isabel (Mircea Monroe) earlier in the series. When Nolan asks Bradford if he can speak with him about a personal issue, in what will surely go down as one of the best lines in the history of the series, Tim answers, “Usually, I’d say no, but I’ve been working on being more emotionally available, so shoot.” Tim provides invaluable advice to Nolan, encouraging him not to give up on his marriage to Bailey and to fight for their marriage. He also advises Nolan not to make the same mistake that Tim made with Lucy. Thankfully, Nolan and Bailey make amends before the end of the episode, and they find a way forward as a couple.
Although Tim rightfully chastises Penn for his behavior, he demonstrates empathy for Penn’s attitude, explaining, “Those calls are hard for all of us, all right? But crossing the line gives guys like this a get-out-of-jail-free card, and I know you don’t want that.” Penn appreciates the gesture, respectfully noting that he will do better at controlling his emotions next time. Tim turns a potentially explosive situation into a teachable moment for Penn, and he succeeds in getting Penn to open up about past trauma to help impart some wisdom about handling suspects during arrests. While Tim is still very strict in his work as Penn’s training officer, Tim proves he can emotionally reach his rookies in volatile circumstances. Tim and Penn’s interaction in “The Mickey” represents a major step forward in their training officer/rookie dynamic.
Chenford Makes Genuine Progress in ‘Wildfire’
Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen also take a major step towards a potential reconciliation in the latest episode, “Wildfire.” To the delight of all Chenford fans, when Tim and Lucy are trapped by a dangerous wildfire on a remote road, they take shelter under a fireproof sheet, where Tim admits to Lucy that he is still in love with her. Luckily, Tim and Lucy make it out of the wildfire relatively unscathed. Near the end of the episode, while Tim and Lucy are recovering in the hospital, Lucy indicates that she has been thinking about her career and intends to take the sergeant’s exam, which would take Lucy out of Tim’s chain of command. The idea foreshadows the couple potentially getting back together. For fans of the Chenford ship, this episode tastes like the sweet dessert after the bitter herbs of the last two seasons.
Tim Bradford Has Had an Amazing Run in Season 7
