Chenford has us living in an eternal slow burn… and we love him for it. But let’s be honest, we’re also on the verge of collapse. The Rookie’s last episode left us with an emotional bombshell we barely processed: Lucy and Tim decided to “wait a week” to define their relationship, right after the results of Lucy’s sergeant exam. A week? To them, it may seem like nothing. To us, it’s torture. So, what could happen in the next episode?
Here we go!
The Exam Result
Lucy’s promotion isn’t just another step in her career: it’s a symbol of all the growth she’s undergone since we first met her. She’s no longer the rookie officer. She’s now a solid, confident officer with clear ambitions. But with that growth comes the inevitable question: how does Tim fit into this new phase?
If Lucy passes the exam—which we’re sure she will—she’ll be at the same point in the hierarchy as Tim. However, we know that Tim doesn’t always handle emotions well when work and personal life mix. But perhaps this is the final test. If they can both support each other without reservation, without fear, without distancing themselves… then yes, Chenford is ready for something real.
The Long-Awaited Conversation
The most powerful thing about the agreement Chenford made isn’t the deadline, but rather that they decided to talk. Really talk. Not to evade, not to pretend nothing’s happening, not to drown their feelings in work.
The Rookie’s next episode needs (needs!) to give us that conversation where they open up about what they feel, what they fear, and what they expect from each other. What we’ve learned from them is that the real conflict isn’t whether they love each other—that’s clear—but whether they can build a relationship that survives the demanding pace of their lives and the hurts of their pasts.
And that takes courage. But if anyone can handle it, it’s Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford.
MORE: Why The Rookie’s Chenford is the Best-Built Romance in TV
A New Obstacle… or an Unexpected Opportunity?
This is The Rookie, so it would be naive to think everything will go perfectly. Maybe Lucy’s promotion will lead her to an unexpected destination. Maybe Tim will receive a relocation offer. Maybe there’s a last-minute call that interrupts their long-awaited conversation. Drama on the horizon? Probably. But if this series has proven anything, it’s that every obstacle has strengthened the connection between them.
And, even if it hurts, a little more tension could lead to the big moment we’ve waited so long for. If great love stories have taught us anything, it’s that sometimes you have to break a little before you can rebuild.
MORE: Why The Rookie’s “A Deadly Secret” Timeline Doesn’t Make Any Sense
We’re Ready for Chenford
Let’s be honest: we’ve suffered enough. From that first shift together to the breakup to the elevator kiss that made us scream in front of the TV, Chenford’s every step has been an emotional roller coaster. They’ve made us wait, they’ve made us cry, they’ve made us believe. And now, with this new turning point, The Rookie has a golden opportunity: to give them a new chance, born of maturity, born of conscious choice, born of true love.
We don’t need fairytale endings. We just want to see them choose each other, look at each other without fear, hold hands, and say, “yes” to each other. We have one week left (in The Rookie time) to find out what they’ll decide. In the meantime, we’ll live on theories, GIFs, and rewatches of their best scenes. Whatever happens, the next episode promises to be one of the most decisive for Chenford.
The Rookie Season 7 airs Tuesdays at 9 pm on ABC.
