After a short hiatus, we’re back! The Rookie 4×12 “The Knock” makes some points clear for Chenford as Nolan grapples head-on with the difficulty of making a real difference in the world. Time for a review!
Here we go!
The Rookie 4×12 “The Knock” is Chenford’s first official date! Nothing else matters and nothing else exists. That’s facts. But let’s analyze it a little more. At first, Tim was upset – and we’d say jealous – and unenthusiastic at the prospect of going on a fancy date with Ashley. Admittedly, as Lucy points out, part of this is because Tim doesn’t like surprises and he wants to be in control but we can’t help but think there’s something more here.
Later, Tim is willing to brush off his annoyance just to challenge Lucy and prove something…and we roll our eyes, exclaiming “men!” here but we like this kind of covert flirtation. And now… the date!
Ashley felt bad, not only because Tim’s attitude was that of a dickhead – tell it like it is – but because he and Lucy just…focused on each other. They didn’t do it on purpose but it happened. They just started talking, laughing, enjoying themselves, as if the outside world didn’t exist, as if they were in a private bubble where no one else is invited. And Lucy knows Tim so well. Ashley doesn’t know what he likes, what he doesn’t and she doesn’t understand his attitudes…but Lucy does. So Ashley feels left out, she feels she’s extra because three is a crowd and, in this case, she’s the third wheel. And she leaves.
There is something inside her, we can call it an instinct or a hunch, that tells her that she should stay away from Tim because he, although he doesn’t realize it, is in love with Lucy and she is his ideal couple. But then, Tim goes looking for her and says such nice things to her… that Ashley ignores her instinct and decides to give Tim another chance. The problem here is that Tim wants to be that man for her, the man that she deserves, but you can’t change who you are…let just make a relationship work.
Relationships are not about changing to try to fit in with someone, they’re about complementing each other and getting the best out of yourself. Relationships are about getting to know each other and just…fitting in by being yourself. And neither Ashley nor Tim deserves for him to force himself to fit in with her just because he can’t accept how he feels about another woman. Ashley doesn’t deserve to be anyone’s second course and she deserves not someone who forces himself to try what she likes, but someone who shares her tastes. And Tim deserves someone who knows him and accepts him as he is.
This relationship continued…but this mortal wound.
Something similar happens with Lucy and the DA. In The Rookie 4×12 “The Knock” he also realized that there is something between Lucy and Tim, regardless of whether they accept it or not. And he doesn’t want to get in the middle of that. But Lucy, like Tim, can’t accept her feelings for Tim either, so she decides to try it with the prosecutor because he’s a good guy and they have things in common, and why not? But the prosecutor deserves a person who puts him first, not to be the consolation of someone who doesn’t accept her true feelings, and Lucy…she deserves to be with the man she loves.
This relationship has just begun… but it’s also mortally wounded.
Does this mean Chenford is coming now? I think so. I don’t expect it to be before the season finale though. We will see…
In The Rookie 4×12 “The Knock” Nolan learns the hard way that administrative and diplomatic matters are not that easy. He promised to change things and he wants to do it but the people who have the power have their asses too comfortable in their seats and they’re going to make it difficult for him. If you get paid just to be there and pretend you’re doing something, why the hell would you do something? That’s what Nolan’s “boss” must think.
The problem is that Nolan wants to improve the lives of his teammates and cares about their problems, even if they are small. And if the people with power in this world were a little more like Nolan, the world would be an infinitely better place.
Also, we like Nolan’s initiative. Mental health is an intensely important thing that is tremendously under-talked about. How many people commit suicide a year? Why? How can we help? These are questions and conversations that we, as a society, avoid because we don’t feel ready for it, but it’s damn time we were and talked about it.
However, as Nyla points out, Nolan is nothing if he is not a fighter and positive, so, even if they are going to make it difficult for him, he is going to keep trying… as long as he stays in his new position. And we’re proud that Nolan chooses the right thing over the easy thing.
PS: Nyla being so cheerful and enthusiastic is…strangely sinister.
The Rookie airs Sundays at 10/9 on ABC.
