We’re back! The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return’ is the best episode of the season. Seth returns, and that sends a shockwave through everyone, especially Lucy, as it puts her relationship with Tamara to the test. As for Chenford, we finally see significant progress toward reconciliation, leaving it on the cusp of a sweet tooth. Ready?
Here we go!
Unexpected Return in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return’
Seth’s return in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return’ completely shakes up the entire team. Everyone has an opinion on this, but the entire department makes it clear to Seth that they don’t want him there in a truly graphic way. And, to be honest, we feel a little bad for Seth for that, even though he deserved it.
Those most affected by Seth’s return are Lucy, Miles, and Nolan. Nolan has to be Seth’s new TO, with all that entails, including keeping a close eye on him. For her part, Lucy knows Seth is a danger and that he won’t change. She gave him plenty of opportunities, and he never took advantage of them, so she doesn’t expect anything different now. And we agree with her, honestly.
But for now, Lucy has to swallow her opinions because she can’t change the fact that Seth is back and that, if he does well, he’ll pass his training and become a cop in every sense of the word. And that frustrates her, angers her, and scares her, because she knows Seth won’t be a good one.
For Miles, on the other hand, Seth’s return in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return’ is a completely different story. He met and befriended Seth when they were at the academy. Miles confided in him very personal details about his life, and he thought he knew Seth, that he had also shared the details of his own life.
Finding out that all of that was a lie feels like a bitter betrayal. And even though Tim advises him to let it go so he doesn’t risk his career for someone who isn’t worth it, Miles can’t do it. He needs to make Seth pay for his betrayal and let him know that it changed everything; Miles won’t trust him anymore. He can’t.
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The Importance of Trust
However, what gets us mad about Seth is that he doesn’t take responsibility for his actions. He keeps making excuses by saying that “it wasn’t all a lie.” And on top of that, he gets angry because no one believes him about his good intentions, both at work and with Tamara. Well, how does he expect them to? He lied about absolutely everything, including something as terrible as having cancer. He crossed every line and still had the cynicism to pretend he didn’t, just to get back to the LAPD. And now he sits there in the patrol car playing the victim because no one trusts him. The audacity.
That’s what happens with trust. It’s so easy to lose, but regaining it takes time and effort. Seth made his bed; now let him lie in it. It’s in his hands to regain everyone’s trust, but he can’t blame them for not believing anything he says because he deserves that. In The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return,’ the ball is in Seth’s court. He has to decide whether he wants to continue acting like he’s the world’s victim or fight to prove he’s trustworthy.
This crossroads presents itself again for Seth at the end of the episode. He saves Nolan’s life, but we want to focus on the consequences. Seth could have used what happened to his leg as an excuse not to change anything, or he could have taken it as a turning point to change. Luckily, he chose the latter. Despite not knowing how to do it or doubting himself, he did it. One step at a time.
Seth told Tamara the truth in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return,’ knowing he risked losing her. But if he truly loves her, he couldn’t build their relationship on a lie. In that case, it wouldn’t be real and would end up crumbling like a house of cards. Tamara deserved him to be honest. And we’re glad Seth was.
MORE: What We Can Expect from Miles in ‘The Rookie’ Season 8
Tense Dinner in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return’
Seth’s return not only shakes up Lucy’s professional life but also her personal life. Tamara and Seth started something that continues to be a thing in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return.’ And, even though things didn’t end well last time between Lucy and Tamara, they are too important to each other to let that be the thing that breaks them. So Tamara asks Lucy to meet Seth in a more personal setting, not as her TO, but as Tamara’s older sister.
For Tamara, Lucy is someone fundamental. She’s not just a friend, she’s her sister and a bit of a mentor, and she loves Seth, so she doesn’t want to feel torn between two of the most important people in her life. Tamara wants Lucy to give Seth an opportunity. Lucy understands how Tamara feels, so just for her, she bites the bullet and tries to be open to seeing another side of Seth and separating what she experienced professionally with him.
At first, the dinner was going as well as a dinner like that could. It was very difficult for Lucy to ignore what she knew about Seth because she knew what he was like and wanted to protect Tamara from him, but she was succeeding. And Tamara was grateful for that. But as soon as Lucy saw that ring on Tamara’s finger in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return,’ she had had enough of pretending everything was okay. She couldn’t do it anymore.
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Commitments and Decisions
A relationship is one thing since Tamara still had time to realize who Seth is, and eventually, Lucy knew she would, and it would all end there. But a long-term commitment is something entirely different. And Lucy needs to protect her sister. This girl became an integral part of her life, part of her family. She can’t allow her to make a mistake like that. Lucy can’t allow her to suffer because of Seth’s lies, and Lucy knows, without a doubt, that he will make her suffer.
And we understand. Yes, really. We’d probably do the same thing Lucy did in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return.’ But this isn’t her decision. It’s Tamara’s. And Tamara has the right to be stubborn, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. Lucy has to let her and be there to help her up when Tamara inevitably falls. But Lucy can’t make decisions about Tamara’s life—even if she’s right—because that will only push Tamara away, nothing more.
As much as it hurts, as much as it angers and infuriates her, as much as she wants to kill Seth with her own hands, Lucy has to allow Tamara to figure out the truth for herself. And trust that when she does, Tamara will come to her side. Luckily, that’s exactly what happens.
When Seth tells her the truth, Tamara realizes who he really is. She never thought he would lie about something so serious for so long. Tamara trusted that Seth was on the right path, but he wasn’t, and that’s when she realized Lucy was right all along. So Tamara goes to her and apologizes for not listening, for not believing her. And Lucy is right there, with open arms, waiting to comfort her. And we love that Lucy never judges her or says, “I told you.” They are everything.
MORE: Why The Rookie’s Chenford is the Best-Built Romance in TV
The Last Move in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return’
Chenford is one of the remaining focal points in The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return.’ And we finally feel like we’re making more progress, much more than one flirtation scene per episode. While that flirtation is still there, and the way they’re there for each other speaks volumes, the final scene is the most illuminating. On the one hand, we love that the power dynamic is addressed in such a sensitive way.
In Chenford’s case, that power dynamic was never an issue, but we appreciate that the show takes the time to clarify that Chenford will still be together again on equal terms, giving it the importance it deserves. We also really like that the series clarifies that Lucy isn’t taking the sergeant’s exam for Tim but for her. The fact that passing that exam would put her on the same professional footing as Tim is just a welcome consequence, but Lucy is doing this for herself, for her career.
And if that last scene of The Rookie Season 7 Episode 16 ‘The Return’ shows us anything, it’s that Chenford is ready to be together again. Although we didn’t see much of it, Tim did the emotional work he needed to heal his wounds, and Lucy is aware of that. She, for her part, has already forgiven him. So they’re just waiting for the right moment.
They set that exam as a turning point, as if that result, whatever it is, would be a sign to get back together or move forward separately. Now all the cards are on the table, and they’re just waiting for the final sign. The final step. In one week.
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Other Stuff
- Lucy doesn’t hesitate to call Tim and make his house available to host a dinner party. Married couple.
- “I owe you.” And her smile. OK.
- Tim picks up Lucy to take her to the test because “they’re friends.” Sure, Jan!
- Celina notices EVERYTHING. And she’s like us.
- Tim helping Lucy with the test, “returning the favor.” We love it!
- The way Tim believes in Lucy is next level.
- So in one week, Chenford will be put to the test. Interesting… We’re still banking on a reconciliation in the season finale, but if it happens an episode earlier, you won’t hear us complain.
- Celina and her boyfriend speaking Spanish! We were surprised Seth did it too.
- Seth deserved that punch. But with a locker? Really?
- That scene of him screaming in agony made us look away and feel bad for him. It was brutal. And we’re glad all the characters felt the same. No matter how many issues they have with Seth, no one wants it to end like this because no one deserves to go through something like that.
- Seth truly saved Nolan’s life and ended up doing the right thing. This isn’t the end of his recovery, but it’s a good start.
- Seeing Seth save Nolan’s life without a second’s hesitation made us realize he has the instincts of a cop. He would have been one of the good guys under different circumstances.
- Nobody messes with Angela and her family! Seriously, those influencers and their followers need a brainwave.
The Rookie Season 7 airs Tuesdays at 9 pm on ABC.
