JuicyTalk
When The Rookie returns with season 8, fans will finally see what happens next in Tim and Lucy’s story, and whatever the writers have in store for them could save or ruin the show. The police procedural has always relied heavily on Chenford’s relationship. They have played a significant role in The Rookie‘s success, after all, as many fans adore them together.
Tim and Lucy’s slow burn romance in The Rookie was finally resolved in season 5 when the two characters confessed their feelings for one another. Unfortunately, their bliss was short-lived. Towards the middle of The Rookie season 6, Tim broke up with Lucy while experiencing a personal crisis, and as of the season 7 finale, they have yet to reunite.
The Rookie Season 7 Severely Mishandled Tim & Lucy’s Story
Chenford Was Disappointing In Season 7
At first, it was exciting to see Tim and Lucy back in the will-they/won’t-they stage of their relationship at the beginning of The Rookie season 7. This is where they thrive, as viewers anxiously wait to see them get together. However, the writers made many mistakes in Tim and Lucy’s reunion arc in season 7. For starters, they didn’t actually reunite.
Even though the ABC cop TV show had received a larger episode count following a shortened sixth season, Chenford never actually got back together by the time the credits rolled on the season 7 finale. The series didn’t even give the audience the satisfaction of seeing Tim and Lucy rekindle their romance. The Rookie is just delaying the inevitable.
Additionally, Chenford never had a real talk about their breakup or the future. Sure, they seemingly had some sort of discussion in The Rookie season 7, episode 15. However, it mostly occurred off-screen, while the two were intoxicated, and we only saw snippets of it through body cams and security footage (as it was one of the show’s infamous true crime episodes).
If that wasn’t enough, fans never witnessed the complex character development Tim and Lucy both needed to get back together. He had to work on himself and realize he could be the man Lucy deserves. Meanwhile, Lucy had to learn how to be more patient and understanding. Perhaps they both got there, but they didn’t earn it because we didn’t see it.
The Rookie Can’t Endure Another Season Of Chenford’s Will-They/Won’t-They Arc
The ABC Show Needs A Comeback
As mentioned above, the thought of Tim and Lucy back in their will-they/won’t-they era in The Rookie was exciting. But after seeing how the writers handled it in season 7, it’s clear that the police procedural can’t withstand any more of that arc. Stretching out Chenford’s reunion in The Rookie any longer would do much more harm than good.
It wouldn’t make sense for Tim and Lucy to stay apart for long in The Rookie season 8. It would simply infuriate the audience, and it would only elongate a storyline that clearly hasn’t been working (for the series or for Tim and Lucy as separate characters). Honestly, their slow burn return just made Tim and Lucy more irritating than ever.
Chenford refused to talk about their relationship status until they were literally forced to in The Rookie season 7, episode 15. Instead, the former couple would push down their feelings or use holidays as excuses to sleep together. Tim and Lucy’s random hookups were also obviously fan service, though, and it wouldn’t be wise to continue that in The Rookie season 8.
Tim & Lucy Need To Get Back Together ASAP In The Rookie Season 8
There’s No Reason To Drag Out Their Reunion Any Longer
The Rookie season 7 ended with Tim telling Lucy that he thought they should move in together (before they even discussed getting back together). However, what Tim didn’t realize was that Lucy was asleep the entire time. So, Tim draped a blanket over his ex-girlfriend, kissed her forehead, and let her sleep, promising to circle back to this topic later.
As such, The Rookie season 7 came to a close without a Chenford reunion. It wasn’t like they actually earned one, but at this point, it would just be better for them to rekindle their romance as soon as possible. Dragging out their reunion certainly hasn’t been working. Consequently, it wouldn’t make much sense for Tim and Lucy to stay separated in season 8.
It would be for the best if the fan favorite Rookie couple started dating again in the season 8 premiere. Heck, maybe they should even move in together like Tim suggested. Going forward, the ABC police procedural needs to move on from their will-they/won’t-they storyline and confirm that “they will.”
Only time will tell what season 8 has in store for Chenford, though. Perhaps the writers will continue their slow burn, or they could fast-track their relationship and get them married before the season is over. Fans will just have to wait and see if The Rookie redeems itself by choosing the right path for Tim and Lucy in season 8.
The Rookie returns with its eighth season in early 2026. ABC hasn’t confirmed an exact premiere date, as of the writing of this article, but it’s expected to be in January, as that is also when Will Trent season 4 is scheduled to air.
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- Release Date
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October 16, 2018
- Showrunner
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Alexi Hawley
- Directors
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Tori Garrett, Chi-Yoon Chung, Michael Goi, Sylvain White, Lisa Demaine, Lanre Olabisi, Bill Johnson, David McWhirter, Liz Friedlander, Daniel Willis, Toa Fraser, Anne Renton, Jon Huertas, Cherie Nowlan, TK Shom, Rob Seidenglanz, Valerie Weiss, Barbara Brown, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, SJ Main Muñoz, Nelson McCormick, Marcus Stokes, Adam Davidson, Anna Mastro
- Writers
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Corey Miller, Bill Rinier, Zoe Cheng, Mary Trahan, Ally Seibert, Liz Alper, Nick Hurwitz, Racheal Seymour, Madeleine Coghlan, David Radcliff
