We’re back for another week! The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead” shows us how physical and emotional abuse is presented, along with the consequences of the traumas they cause. Ready?
Here we go!
Almost Incomprehensible Decisions in The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead”
The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead” is about abuse, both physical and emotional. And while we can comment a little on what we saw in the episode, we need a lot more shows to do episodes like this.
Do you know what? I didn’t know one of my aunts because a man who claimed to love her, killed her before I was born. And when I was younger, a part of me couldn’t understand why at the first slap, the first punch, she didn’t just turn around and leave him to rot in hell. I thought that was just what I would have done — although no one knows how she/he would really react until she/he is in that situation.
At that time I couldn’t understand that the first blow comes after a long time of emotional abuse such that it makes you feel that this blow is your own fault and they did nothing wrong. The first blow comes when you’re already trapped and can’t conceive of a life without them. Because they have made you feel worthless without them.
It’s hard to understand Kyra’s attitude in The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead.” Why doesn’t Kyra accept Lucy’s help? Why does she help him even when he nearly chokes her to death? And why is Kyra about to shoot Lucy, even though she called to her and Lucy saved her life? No one who hasn’t been through that hell can really understand it.
Consequences of Trauma and the Courage to Face It
That wretch — I’m not going to call him a boyfriend — manipulated Kyra in such a way that he made her feel that she only has the value that he wants to give her. He stomped on her in such a way that she thinks it was all her fault and she deserves what he does to her. He made her so terrified of reporting him that, not even for her life, she can’t let him go.
Kyra took a very brave step by asking about domestic abuse protocol at the police station in The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead.” It was the only cry for help she could manage. And Lucy was amazing, understanding not only the situation but Kyra’s attitude. When everyone else would have given up, Lucy didn’t. And we love her for that.
We need much more education in our schools, in our high schools, and in our colleges to prevent domestic violence. Children need to be taught the concepts of respect, consent, and equality. We have to teach them that no one has the right to control your food, your phone, or the places you go… that is abuse and a red flag. We need many police officers like Lucy, who know how to detect these cases and get involved, helping even when it seems like a losing battle.
Kyra survived…we must fight for all the Kyras in the world.
Emotional Abuse is a B*tch in The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead”
Unlike beatings, emotional abuse is not necessarily linked to physical abuse. But it hurts deeper than any punch. Scars from blows heal, but emotional scars are much deeper and take years to begin to heal. Even if they do, they are a burden you carry forever.
What happens with emotional abuse is that not only our couple can inflict it on us, but also our friends… or our parents. Tim lived in an abusive home his entire life and The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead” shows us a consequence of that.
When he takes over the training of the children, he can’t help but remember what those precise moments in his childhood were like, and he tries to do the complete opposite of what they did to him. That is a present response to a past trauma.
And, while Tim’s attitude makes sense, the kids aren’t having fun…so it’s up to Lucy to take charge of the situation in a way that the bad memories currently on Tim’s mind are replaced with new ones, much happier ones. Now, when Tim thinks of soccer practice, he’ll remember her and those kids, nothing more. And we love her for it.
Other Stuff in The Rookie 5×11 “The Naked and the Dead”
- Chenford couldn’t be cuter, I swear.
- The looks, the smiles…Chenford everywhere!
- I clearly saw babies Chenford being trained by their parents and I’m sobbing!
- After a day like this, nothing seems like the best plan ever (wink, wink).
- If this episode taught me anything, it’s not to trust little old men and women who seem vulnerable and cute.
- I like the big step Bailey and Nolan took!
- Elijah is back…and I like him as little as ever.
The Rookie Season 5 airs Tuesdays at 8/7 on ABC.
