We’re back! The Rookie Season 7 Episode 6 ‘The Gala’ changes the rules of the game for Chenford in a way that doesn’t convince us. Meanwhile, Bailey and Nolan face the consequences of her decisions. Ready?
Here we go!
Unexpected Relapses
Let’s start by talking about the elephant in the room: Chenford. We have a lot of mixed feelings about what happened with them in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 6 ‘The Gala’ but let’s start from the beginning. The task that Grey gives them already begins to give us clues of what is going to happen. Seeing everyone complain about their exes reminds them that they are not together. And that’s not all. That moment in the van, that second when Lucy thought Tim had a date, her jealousy skyrocketed. For his part, Tim’s comments are not far behind. He hates being single on Valentine’s Day, and he hates that Lucy is not by his side.
But, as they get into a dynamic that only leads to missing each other, reality sets in all too quickly on The Rookie Season 7 Episode 6 ‘The Gala.’ “You don’t throw sh**t at someone you love.” Lucy is paralyzed when she hears this. Because that’s exactly what Tim did to her, he just threw “his sh**t” on her without giving her time or a chance to react and left her alone. Suddenly, Lucy remembers why she and Tim are not together and that it’s for a good reason. So, when Tim starts flirting with her again at the gala, trying to get closer to her, looking at her that way…Lucy tries to stop him.
She even tells him that she learned her lesson about not having relationships at work. That blow hurts Tim, but he doesn’t give up. He’s a man on a mission: to get the love of his life back. And he’s not going to give up. Circumstances help him a little when Lucy insists on healing him. They end up alone in a room…and Tim knows it’s now or never. So he turns to her and the look he gives her says it all. Now they are face to face and there is no way for Lucy to escape from what she feels and the tension that keeps increasing in that room.
MORE: Forgot what happened in the last episode? Here’s the review of The Rookie Season 7 Episode 5!
The Morning After
Lucy knows she shouldn’t give in. Tim also knows that this is not the way. But they can’t help it. They miss each other too much, they want each other too much, they love each other too much, they need each other too much… and they end up sleeping together. But that dream, that illusion, that spell that enveloped them during the night ends quickly when the sun rises in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 6 ‘The Gala.’ They both want that night to be something more. But Lucy is too scared that Tim will break her heart again, so she decides not to give him the chance to do so, denying that the night meant anything to her, when in reality it meant everything.
Tim gets the message and can’t bring himself to tell her how he really feels. So he swallows all the words he wants to say and tells Lucy he agrees with her. Of course, then Lucy feels like she has nothing more to do. She was hoping Tim would tell her that it was something more to him, but he didn’t, so she turns to leave. That’s when he calls her, and that hope is rekindled in Lucy…but Tim is too cowardly, too afraid to open up to Lucy and show her how he really feels, so he doesn’t say anything. Lucy leaves, without Tim stopping her.
Later, in the elevator, the two make it clear that they don’t regret what happened but it must not happen again. However, the way they say it, the way they look at each other, and the way they flirt tells us that neither of them thinks that they won’t fall again. And we don’t think that’s the way. All of this gives us a lot of mixed feelings. As a fan of this ship, we’re thrilled to have seen them back together, even if just for a moment, but the truth is that nothing has changed.
That’s the point. Tim and Lucy have to talk about what happened and why it happened, Tim has to personally improve himself to be ready to get back with Lucy. And she has to heal her wounds so she can get back together with Tim. The fact that they have slept together now or will sleep together occasionally doesn’t change anything, it doesn’t fix anything, it doesn’t make them closer. It’s not going to last. It’s like some kind of flimsy band-aid that is bound to break again sooner or later.
The Rookie Season 7 Episode 6 ‘The Gala’ perfectly portrayed one of the big problems for Chenford: there is no communication. They are not able to tell each other what they really feel, they are too terrified to be vulnerable to the other, to take a leap of faith and trust that the other will be there, with open arms, waiting. And until that problem is fixed, nothing will. The only good thing about this is that, at least, the show isn’t ignoring what’s going on, and this proves they’re committed to the couple.
MORE: Do you think it’s time for 9-1-1 and The Rookie crossover? We got your back!
Matter of Trust
After talking about the first elephant in the room of The Rookie Season 7 Episode 6 ‘The Gala,’ we go with the second: Bailey and Nolan. We have to say that we understand both parties here. On the one hand, Nolan cannot believe or accept that Bailey did something as bad as allying herself with a murderer, which makes her in some way also responsible, for Jason’s death. And what hurts him the most is that she didn’t tell him what she had done and why. After all, what is a marriage without trust? Where does that leave them if Bailey didn’t trust him with something like that?
On the other hand, Bailey didn’t tell him because she was afraid of his reaction. She is aware that what she has done is not the right thing morally speaking and Nolan is a police officer, which would put him in an uncomfortable situation. So she decided not to tell him. Ever. However, even though what she did wasn’t the morally right thing to do, it was what felt right for her, to protect herself and feel safe.
For Bailey, she had no other choice. She can’t understand why Nolan is judging her and not putting himself in her shoes for even a moment, looking at everything from her perspective or at least trying to. She was hoping for some understanding and support from her husband…and she’s not feeling like she’s getting it. It hurts and disappoints her…and she doesn’t know how to get over that.
That being said, and playing devil’s advocate, for us Bailey is being unfair on The Rookie Season 7 Episode 6 ‘The Gala.’ We can’t believe we’re defending Nolan, but here we are. Nolan wasn’t judging Bailey, he just wanted to understand why she did it and why she didn’t trust him. It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that someone you love did something wrong, but Nolan is trying. He just wants to understand it, he just wants them to get through it together. If he was behaving as Bailey says, the first thing he would have done would be to report her or give that phone to his superior, even arrest her. But he hasn’t. And that speaks volumes.
MORE: Forgot what happened in the other episodes? Here’s the review of The Rookie Season 7 Episode 4!
Other Stuff
- We want Celina’s dress! Please and thank you.
- And Lopez’s.
- Angela always knew what was going on with her partner but, unlike Wesley, she gave it the right importance, that is, none. What a queen!
- Wesley finally put an end to his jealousy. Let’s celebrate!
- We love that Lucy cares so much about everyone she loves and is always so empathetic.
- #GrumpyCop
- Come on, those comments, those pouts… Tim was doing it on purpose to provoke Lucy!
- We love that it only takes one look from Lucy for Tim to stop being a jerk.
- Scott is too intense. Next!
- Even though it hurts, Miles and his girlfriend breaking up is the best thing.
- “You always look gorgeous.” DEAD.
- The way Tim looks at Lucy…
- Grey knew what he was doing.
- The moment we saw the look on James’ friend’s face we knew something was wrong…
The Rookie Season 7 airs Tuesdays at 10 pm on ABC.
