The Rookie Shocker: Why Chenford’s Love Story Just Hit an Unrecoverable Roadblock

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Things have been going well for Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) on The Rookie. Sure, the two aren’t back together, but they seem to be on less-awkward terms than they were right after Tim surprised Lucy (and viewers) by breaking up with her. In fact, they’ve even begun to casually flirt while making bets on their rookies. But The Rookie Season 7 resurrected a character that could present a problem for the chances of Chenford getting back together: none other than Lucy’s friend and Tim’s ex-girlfriend, Rachel Hall.

Is Rachel Hall returning to The Rookie for good?

It seems like the answer is yes. Jasmine Mathews was never a series regular (she had a recurring role in Season 2), so Rachel’s return likely doesn’t mean we’re going to see her in every episode. Considering she’s staying with Lucy and Celina (Lisseth Chavez), however, it’s safe to assume that we will see more of her at least in the next few episodes. Perhaps that’s why she approached Tim near the end of Season 7, Episode 3, “Out of Pocket,” to try to clear the air. As Rachel herself said, their relationship ended with a whimper, not a bang, and then… Tim went on to date Lucy. Awkward.

Of course, when The Rookie was talking about Tim and Lucy earlier in the episode, Rachel seemed to indicate she had no leftover feelings for Tim. She even told Celina that Tim and Lucy were much better together than she and Tim were. She also seemed genuinely surprised the two had broken up, seeming convinced they would go the distance. But her being back could still end up throwing a wrench in any possibility of a Chenford reconciliation — at least soon.

Lucy and Tim have been getting along well this season. But they still haven’t really touched on any of the issues that made Tim break up with Lucy. In fact, Tim himself doesn’t seem to have taken the steps he needed to actually get better. He broke up with Lucy for a reason, but what has Tim Bradford done to become the man who could get back together with Lucy? So far, very little.

Plus, there’s the fact that Rachel’s presence seems to serve as a reminder for Lucy that workplace romances are a bad idea. It’s why she fought against her feelings for Tim at first, and it’s why now she seems to be regretting having given in to them when she did. In fact, Lucy Chen seems determined to focus on her career now and nothing else.

If we add to the fact that Tim hasn’t even touched on his issues, it feels like Chenford getting back together is farther than ever — even if they outwardly are getting along great. Sure, these two clearly still care for each other. Everyone can see it. So the show could put them in a dangerous situation that makes their feelings for each other come out in full force. But that doesn’t mean either of them is in the right place to act on that.

Rachel’s continued presence, however, could also end up acting like the catalyst Tim needs to finally take a hard look at himself and his issues. It’s not about loving Lucy; it never has been. It’s about loving himself enough to try to get better. And for that, Tim first needs to take a hard look at himself in the mirror. That’s sometimes the hardest part — taking that first step.

Who knows? Maybe if he does, and he can show it, Lucy will be able to put her fear aside and give him another chance. For now, it seems like she only cares about her career, and we can’t exactly blame her.

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