We’re back with a new season! In general, the first episode of a season should establish the different emotional conflicts of the characters that will develop throughout the season. In that sense, The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back” is an irregular episode that sometimes fulfills this objective, and other times it falls too short and forces things too much. However, the episode is outstanding in action. Ready?
Here we go!
Chenford Conflicts & Comic Reliefs in The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back”
Part of The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back” not having presented the character conflicts very well is that it spent too much time on the supposed curse of the last turn. That’s something that should have been comic relief, to relieve the tension of the episode.
However, we felt that it was too central and that ate up time that should have been used to develop more characters like Angela, Wes, or Grey.
With all the pain in our hearts, one of the aspects of The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back” that feels overly forced and falls short of the goal is Chenford. We enjoy that back-and-forth and flirtation between them while they are working together and studying for Lucy’s exam at the same time.
Those looks, the smiles, the unresolved tension, the jokes…they are Chenford in their purest expression and they put a smile on our faces. This is the couple we love. That’s why that last fight is so forced.
Supportive Boyfriend in The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back”
Tim has supported Lucy in everything, literally everything that she has decided to do about her career or her personal life. Yes, he has some fears and problems with certain things, but that didn’t stop him from supporting her through everything and knowing that it was her decision, not his. And The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back” is no exception. So Lucy’s claim doesn’t make any sense.
Furthermore, from the context, it’s clear that the only thing Tim was doing – or pretending to do – was making it clear to Lucy that he was going to support her no matter what. She is prepared for that exam and he will support her in taking it, but if Lucy feels more comfortable waiting longer, he will be by her side.
So the conflict between Chenford shown in The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back” is forced, making Lucy act out of character just for the sake of drama. Of course, the point of this was to show how Lucy projects her own fears onto Tim, self-sabotaging herself.
It’s clear that Lucy’s fear of losing Tim because he compares their relationship to what happened with Isabel, is going to be key this season for Chenford, but the point of establishing the characters’ emotional conflict is not to show that this is what you intend to do. In The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back” it is very noticeable.
To Kill or Not to Kill, That’s the Question
Something similar happens with Nyla in The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back.” Killing someone is never easy and no one should get used to doing it but Nyla had already killed in the line of duty. She even confronted some criminals in her own home when she was in labor.
If something like that didn’t come as a huge shock or trauma to her, it’s not very credible that killing a random criminal in the line of duty would. By the way, in each of those times, James only supported her, so that dialogue about him doesn’t really fit either.
We just hope this was just a one-episode thing and they don’t intend to make it an emotional conflict for Nyla that lasts the entire season.
On the other hand, The Rookie 6×01 “Strike Back” did establish the conflict well for Aaron. We see it logical that they keep him off the streets for the moment. We don’t think he is as well as he seems and he definitely needs to see the psychologist hired by the police force.
Speaking of that psychologist, we definitely saw a spark there…and we find it really interesting. It would be something forbidden, which makes it even more interesting, right?
The Rookie Season 6 airs Tuesdays at 9/8 on ABC.
