Welcome to Chenford Chats, a column dedicated solely to highlighting Tim Bradford and Lucy Chen’s interactions during the latest episode of The Rookie.
There were some mighty high expectations for this week’s episode of The Rookie after the glorious hour we got in “Wildfire.” And though it is mostly satisfying for Nyla and James’ arcs while simultaneously giving us an incredibly fantastic performance from Mekia Cox. The Chenford of it all? Well, that felt like taking ten steps back.
Understandably, the stakes are higher than ever in this episode as one of their own is threatened. Still, the frustrating part is that the narrative almost gives and instead leaves us hanging with what feels like a missed opportunity. They’re already together throughout— the material is there. We knew the fear from last week wouldn’t result in the two of them immediately getting back together, but it’s the wildly bare minimum in the car that’s so shocking.
In The Rookie Season 7, Episode 9, “The Kiss,” Tim and Lucy briefly talk about the first time they danced in “Backstabbers.” It was a big moment for them then, and why it matters in this episode is significant, too, so the fact that the scene spends crucial beats of dialogue exploring what Lucy was wearing is—eh? We’re talking about a wedding. We’re talking about two lives being in danger again. The space was there to give us another concrete reminder of why life is so short, and yet… It’s odd, really. Because so much of the words could’ve explored where they’re headed. We could have dug into something more poignant about that dance and how it made them feel. We could’ve had something a little more profound.
Still, we manage to get a reminder that Tim isn’t backing out from showing that he wants her back. He still loves her, he’s still willing to do the work, and most importantly, he’s here to remind her of all that’s good. “You looked amazing,” he says, and it’s a seemingly small compliment, but it is still proof that even while he doesn’t remember what she wore—sparkles notwithstanding—he remembers she looked amazing. Because, really, to him—she always looks amazing. We also see it in his expression tha he remembers how it felt. So sure, I’ll take that. It’s something.
We also get the reminder from Lucy that they’re still competing, which, in a sense, is a good thing because it means the ease in their competitive nature is back. The tension from all the fear that had bubbled over is letting up a bit, leaving them in a place where, when they do talk, it’ll be in less stressful and agonizing circumstances. It’ll maybe, hopefully, give them the space to be fully transparent without holding a single thing back.
Now streaming on Hulu: What are your thoughts on Chenford’s scenes in The Rookie Season 7, Episode 9, “The Kiss?” Let us know in the comments below.
