After the holidays, we are here! The Rookie 5×10 “The List” is the first part of a supposed crossover that is just the Chenford show and we would watch infinite seasons of that. Ready?
Here we go!
Chenford-Style Dating in The Rookie 5×10 “The List”
If we had to define The Rookie 5×10 “The List” with one word, it would be CHENFORD! We started the episode with heart eyes and ended it with heart eyes and a lot of screaming.
The first Chenford scenes are so cute. Them calling each other before the date and just flirting and smiling into the phone like goofballs is the new standard for a first date. Then, in the restaurant, at first, everything is so… strange to them. They both try very hard for everything to be perfect but it feels too restricted, too…not them.
They’ve been alone and on dates many times but now that it’s all official they don’t know exactly how to behave or what to say. They’re both too afraid to say the wrong thing and screw it up. Just as they were starting to relax and just let go and be themselves, the date is interrupted.
Suddenly, in The Rookie 5×10 “The List” the possibility of one of their friends knowing what is starting between them is very real and neither of them is ready for it. It doesn’t mean they never want to say it, just that what’s going on between them is so new that they want to keep it to themselves for a little longer, like a secret. And that’s beautiful.
Afterward, the case takes over and the concern for each other is ever-present. Also flirting and that makes us jump! When the case is over, reservations, restaurants, and overthinking are given up and Chenford goes out together on their *second* official date.
They don’t need a fancy restaurant just to indulge in what feels as natural as breathing. The looks, the smiles, the words…everything speaks of a future together that they can’t wait to share. It’s pure love, from which you cannot hide, from which you cannot express with words.
And the kiss! THE KISS. My Goddess! It’s just perfect and it’s real. There are many mixed feelings in that kiss. There is longing, love, passion, and desire, but above all, hope. It’s the kind of determined, passionate kiss that feels like a battle of wills that has no winner…because they’ve only just become one.
We’re here for that!
Crossed Lines
It is not a secret to anyone that The Rookie 5×10 “The List” tried to make a parallel between the situation of Celina/Aaron and Chenford. But we are not falling into the trap, and later we will explain why. As always, we start at the beginning.
For a superior to advise his subordinate on whom to date is definitely crossing a line. But, as often happens, not everything is black or white. It’s true that, as Grey points out in The Rookie 5×10 “The List,” there is a certain power dynamic here since Aaron is a P2 and Celina is a P1. That being said, I think that being something consensual and not being directly in command of her there is no big problem in this.
On the other hand, Celina is just beginning to advance in her instruction and it’s something really hard that requires her to be fully focused on it. Also, if something goes wrong between them, Celina would have to see him every day and who do you think the police department would point out her entire career for dating a superior? Exactly, Celina. It’s horrible and unfair but, unfortunately, it’s the reality.
If you remember, in season 1 Talia, Nolan’s instructor, gave Lucy the same advice that Nolan and Tim are trying to give now: break up. At the time, Talia was also meddling in business that wasn’t hers, but the advice is just as valid. The difference is that Lucy decided to follow that advice and Celina decided not to.
Tricky Parallels in The Rookie 5×10 “The List”
Now, regarding the clear intention of The Rookie 5×10 “The List” to create a parallelism between this situation and Chenford, at first glance it seems that the same rules can be applied to both couples. But if we look deeper, we realize that this is not so.
Lucy is not a P1, and she is not a sergeant but she has not just started her training either and has even led some operations undercover. I mean, she’s not a rookie, and the power dynamic works a little differently here. Also, as we discussed before, the key is consent.
As if that were not enough, Chenford has known each other for years and they fell in love with each other little by little, without realizing it. This entails a clear future, one that is not so clear for Celina and Aaron. So certain differences set a distinct tone for Chenford and Celina/Aaron.
Hasty Decisions
I get Wes’ point in wanting to have another child in The Rookie 5×10 “The List.” As an only child, growing up is indeed lonely. However, I can’t help but think that it is very easy for him. I mean, he only has to think about what it will be like when the baby is born, but Angela has much more to consider.
She’s just getting into the flow of her work and getting used to not throwing up at a crime scene. She wants to further advance her career before thinking about having another child. Let’s remember that shortly after Angela became a detective, she had to slow down and retrain due to her pregnancy.
Of course, Angela wouldn’t change a single thing, but she has a right to feel that she’s not ready to do it all over again and she deserves to go at her own pace. It’s clear that Wes is a bit disappointed by this in The Rookie 5×10 “The List,” but we love that he understands and supports Angela.
Other Stuff in The Rookie 5×10 “The List”
- Naked time!
- Grandkids! And Tim liked the idea. I’m barely alive right now.
- The kiss! WHAT. A. KISS. It’s official: I’m dead!
- Nyla Harper got this!
- Nyla and James couldn’t have made a better choice. Angela and Wes are wonderful parents. And the scene is so cute. We’re sobbing!
- Nyla and James continue to be the mirror in which to look (yes, Chenford, I’m looking at you). Period.
- Again, someone should talk to ABC and teach them what a real crossover is.
The Rookie Season 5 airs Tuesdays at 9/8 on ABC.
