#5x18 Double Trouble

[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Saturday all :) We only have 5 eps left in this season. I can’t believe it. 17 days to the premiere. Well 18 for me since I don't have cable just Hulu but still. Ahhh the Dim and Juicy Ep. I remember the 3 week hiatus to get to it was the worst. Felt like we had a lot of extended breaks in S5. Drove me insane. But anything is better than the one we’re coming out of now ha I’ll take 3 weeks over 9 months any day heh.

I liked the parallel in this how unhealthy Jake/Sava were. And how solid Tim and Lucy are. I mean Dim And Juicy were a mess. My god the man cheated on her more than once. They are not relationship goals lol I enjoyed them nonetheless though. I know Eric and Melissa had a blast filming this. Did my best to get everything in. Content heavy one. Let us get started.

5x18 Double Trouble

We hit the ground running in this one. Sava is waiting for Jake outside of prison. He’s getting released due to overcrowding. Not because he was good LOL Even Sava makes a crack it wasn't that. Been serving about 6 months for the drug charge got in 4x22. It’s a trip to watch them. We get all the benefits of Melissa and Eric’s chemistry inside another couple. It's wild. Sava all but squee's when she see's Jake which is pretty cute.

They launch themselves at each other once he’s free. All kisses and hands. Saying how much they missed each other. All the chemistry and swaying cuteness that comes with them. This scene is pretty cute to watch. They do look like they are so in love which makes what Jake does later so confusing and awful tbh. He greets her friend Lisa with a hug and you can see Sava breaks it up pretty quickly.

Sava brings Jake back to her side. Asking what he wants to do first? Being the classy gentlemen he is saying she knows what. Ha Horny horn dogs. I do love it though. it’s like getting the most reckless AU version of Tim and Lucy. Although they wouldn’t cheat so it’s not entirely accurate lol Sava asking him if he wants to go straight? Jake replying 'Nah, screw that. Let's be bad.'

This leads us into the documentary. Shots of Jake and Sava during it. My god they are sex crazed af. I think that’s why everyone loved watching them though. heh They legit were gonna make a sex tape and got caught LOL I remember being so excited and confused as to what this episode was going to be ha. All I knew was going to be a documentary one and I always have a soft spot for these ones.

We start off with Lucy getting mic’d up. She looks way more nervous this time around. Why you ask? Her person isn’t with her. Her safe space and grounding force is missing. She even asks why she can’t be interviewed with him? They want their POV's to be separate this time. It’s so sweet she misses him and needs his presence to calm her nerves. This makes me so happy I cannot.

We watch her take a deep breathe knowing they have to be apart. They ask how Lucy knew of Jake Butler in the first place? Lucy goes on to explain about Tamara’s car and drugs they found in it. Which led them to Jake. They bring up the fact he and Tim look alike. Tim is already grumpy and hates these damn things. What happens when you remove him away from his sunshine human.

He’s extra grumpy. It shows in his very first shot. His body language screaming how much he doesn’t want to be here. The crossed arms (mmm hello biceps.) Tim defiantly saying how they don’t look the same at all. Refusing to believe they are anything alike. Other than looks Jake is the complete opposite of everything Tim is for sure. He’s so sassy and salty when the director says they’re identical. ‘Says you.’ Oh my love. I adore you.

They come at Lucy with both barrels about being Dim and Juicy for their OP in 'Double Down.' Knowing their ‘pretend’ intimacy was so much more than that. Lucy looks like she’s getting overwhelmed poor thing. She tries to divert it back to what they accomplished with their OP. Not the fact that they were UC together as a couple. The director presses more asking if that’s when her and Tim became intimate?

There’s a reason they pulled Tim from her for these questions. He would’ve knocked this guy out for them being so personal. Also for making her feel uncomfortable asking them. She can’t even look the man in the face when she says this BS line about pretending. Cause it’s utter crap and she knows it. Yeah they were in other relationships at the time. To quote Angela from 5x01 ‘All true. Not what I asked.’

Lucy defending them both. Saying they didn’t get together until they were both single. Which is true and I am eternally grateful for. Do love her making sure everyone knows this. That they didn’t do anything untoward during their OP. Cause they wouldn’t while in relationships. Not who they are. They were damn close but didn't. Why they are the opposite of Jake/Sava. The director says he wants to dial in on that. Lucy becoming agitated asking do we really have to?

These questions clearly getting under her skin. The director noting it’s astronomical they would even meet the both of them. Let alone have both Jake/Sava together and her and Tim as well in a relationship. Before she can answer Tim interrupts says interview is over. She asks what's wrong? He tells her not here.. Lucy thinking it’s linked to questions she’s being asked. I love him holding the door for her as they leave. Ever the gentlemen.

The closeness and height difference is glorious in this shot. You can tell when they’re alone by her body language Lucy goes into calm down Tim mode. Her hand reaching out for his and subtly touching it. Thinking she has to get him to settle down for hearing those questions. Before Lucy can talk Tim explains why he removed her. Has nothing to do with that. He pulled her over because Jake has gone missing. Doesn’t want to do police work in front of the cameras. Saying Nolan and Celia got missing persons call and it’s about Jake. Lucy is shocked saying 'What?'

Nolan and Celina show up and Sava is freaking out cause Jake is missing. The director asks why Jake and Sava are at a mansion in Beverley Hills? We find out they’ve been casing rich families. Taking over jobs like handy man, nanny etc so they can live in these fancy houses and steal their stuff. It’s pretty smart despite being awful LOL This last family needed a handy man. Jake beats the crap out of the current one. Strong arms his way into taking his job.

I do love seeing how tall he is in that camera shot. mmm. Tall drink of water that man. Jeans and a leather jacket? Yum. Gimme. Luckily this family needed a nanny as well. So they both fit right into this scenario. Angela saying Sava slid right in LMAO I’m dying at Wes’s reaction. They’re so cute I can’t stand it. I do love me some Wopez. He tells her that's a really descriptive way to say it HA These documentaries always produce the funniest little moments like this. Why I love these and have a soft spot for them.

We return to Nolan’s and Celina questioning Sava. She is still panicking. Saying this is why she didn't want to call the cops. Nolan noting because they're doing something illegal? She tries to defend their jobs there. That they're "straight" now. John gets her back on track by saying Jake disappeared? We cut to another video slash moment. Sava and her videos ha it is super cute how he looks at the camera. That smile we all love. Jake saying she needs to remind him to erase security footage. My god they’re sex bunnies LMFAO. He gets up to grab another beer and asks if she wants anything? She said lobster salad.

The ass tap he gives her on his way to get another beer. my goodness. I love it. Reeling over here. Don't worry about me. They must’ve had so much fun filming this. I mean Eric mentioned it was one of fav eps of the season. The BTS they did leading up to his showed how much they enjoyed it. Her little dance after he says he’ll get her lobster salad. Haha Sava just living her best life in this moment and it’s showing. Sadly this is the last time Jake is seen alive on camera.

We find out Jake took off and never told Sava where he was going. Which is heartbreaking. Because she clearly loved this man very much. Moral compass or not she loved Jake. That gets them on the topic of lying and secrets in a relationship. They ask her if Tim and her keep secrets? Lucy says nothing big.

That honesty is the most important thing in a relationship. Cutting to Tim and his reply I’m rolling. Eric killing it in this episode with his sarcasm. The king delivers once again. I mean he’s not wrong he is sitting there because of her secret. Well intentioned secret though LOL One born out of love. This one was funnier than the other two I thought. Just lots of funny/punchy bits like this one. I enjoyed it so much.

We return to station. Aaron’s calling in he found a body. That it’s Tim. The expressions in this scene are primo. First off Lucy and Celina's confusion is hysterical. Standing next to him and hearing this when he's very much not. Tim looks so annoyed Aaron couldn’t tell it wasn’t him LOL Also irritated at the thought of being dead. Like he's insulted he would ever be dead in a dumpster haha Oh Tim I love you so much.Like Aaron you’re all looking for Jake and your mind goes to Tim LMAO Never gonna live this down my dude....

Tim grabbing Lucy’s radio off her hip is doing things to me. I also adore the looks when he does. She just allows it only looking down. Such a deep level of comfortability in this action too. Lucy doesn’t react at all. Just used to Tim and his antics. It’s the little glances through out this portion love too. Tim's look into the camera cracking up as well. Like this friggin dope thinking i'm dead... His face the literal version of SMH ha I loved this mini moment so much.

They ask Tim if it was disconcerting he saw a version of himself dead in the dumpster? Being Tim he’s not going to show a documentary crew of all people his vulnerability. That’s reserved for one person and one person only. We shoot back to Lucy who says she has nightmares. God I can only imagine the nightmares seeing that produced for her though. Even though it wasn’t him you know she carried that with her when they left.

I bet you she had nightmares that night and Tim had to soothe her. Damn that would be good fic... LOL Anyways they ask Lucy if she thinks Tim has nightmares? Lucy tells them no but he’s been doing the job longer. I love her defending his high walls though. Saying why they’re in place. Not wanting them to judge him for it. Refusing to let anyone cast a negative light on him.

The director asks if she’s jealous he can turn it off like that? Lucy’s answer is great because it’s very her. Telling them No. Personally she needs to feel for people it’s who she is. I totally get that I am a massive empath. It’s how I connect with people as well. It has it's downsides it’s true but worth it in the end. When they ask her bout his walls being an issue? I LOVE her smile. Because those walls have never really been an issue. A challenge for Lucy yes in slowly breaking his down over the years. But never an obstacle for them.

We all know she saw behind his walls very early on in their relationship. Saw the man hiding behind that wall. Tim has been a soft marshmallow for her for YEARS. Legit years. Why she has zero hesitation in her reply. He was soft for her long before they got together. It’s just now he allows himself to fully be this way openly and he’s ok with it. Well when they’re alone he is. Of course he’s going to be rough and grumpy with the crew. They’re not his person. Nor would he ever tell them he was soft for her.

That's not Tim Bradford at all. But his actions speak louder than his words ever could. You have to earn that out of him though. Lucy earned it million times over. Why she is the only one who gets to see it. Does crack me up the way the director says. ‘No sir....’ After Tim asks him if he looks like a big softy? You know Tim loved instilling that fear in him. He may be super gone for his wife. But he’ll be damned if he doesn’t command fear and respect around everyone else. These two the epitome of Grumpy x Sunshine per usual. Tim is hard ass unless you’ve made past his wall. He loves Lucy most so she gets all the soft goodies haha

Sava shows the director a video she’s scared to share with the team after being questioned. Thinking they’re gonna use it against her. It’s a video of them driving around being all cute. Saying I love you to the camera and such. But then get run off the road in an attempt to kill them. Their car gets totaled and Jake has them bail completely. Car and everything they leave behind. They were able to locate the car for evidence after they see this.

They couldn’t get anything from the car scrapings unfortunately. Had the most common paint out there. So another layer was added to this mystery. Who was the driver? Sava then gets a text threatening her about an item she had no idea about. One that needed to be delivered. It was sent to her and Jake. The texts went on to be violent in nature toward Sava. So it was time for Lucy to go UC to figure this out. Meet up with this person threatening her.

Thanks to Lucy’s UC Op the SL finally has some answers. The guy contacting them was related to Jake they were cousins. He was into some shady stuff and was an international arms dealer. This where I really feel bad for Sava. She had no idea about these back ally dealings he was doing. Not only that but he was cutting her out of the deal on top of it. That Jake targeted this family for a specific reason and she had no idea. Makes me sad when she says she thought he loved her oof.

That she knew him. Pretty sad. We find out later through Sava. That Jake always had a burner phone. They were able to get that number through this whole thing with the shady cousin. It’s where we find out Jake was cheating on Sava. Again….Lucy calling him the Shakespeare of sexting LOL They ask her if she’ll read some of them? It’s adorable how flustered she gets. Saying she can’t her Nana would be watching this. HA

The director does the dumbest thing he could do. Asking Tim if he would read some? Like did you really think that was gonna happen bud? Like really? His reply of if Lucy wasn’t gonna he sure as hell wasn’t going to. Telling him to take that away from him. Have you not paid attention at all in these documentaries? Why would they think asking was a good idea? LMFAO Mess with the bull gonna get the horns people.

We find out the person Jake was cheating on Sava with was Lisa. Her best friend…Like damn it’s bad enough to cheat but with her best friend? God…As douchey as it gets on his part. Jake breaks up with her via text but Lisa can’t handle the fact he was choosing Sava. It’s when everything comes together. We find out she tried to run them off the road and kill them. When that failed she asks for Jake’s forgiveness. Wanting to meet up. When he showed up she killed him immediately and dumped his body. Shit….That's a seriously scorned women right there.

This next portion is the definition Grumpy x Sunshine. They ultimately decide not to charge Sava with anything. The director asking what Lucy thinks of this? She of course gives the softest, most empathetic, and hopeful answer. Because it’s Lucy Chen. She exudes all that in her decision making. It is her super power after all. Naturally her answer was geared towards a second chance. Thinking maybe this will put Sava on the right path.

We cut to Tim saying ‘Of course she said that.’ He knows his girl so well. What’s so great here is his expression as he says it. That smile of his when he says that line. We all know one of the reasons he fell for her is that sunshine. That empathy and her seeing the best in people. She charmed her way into his heart with it. He truly does admire her for it. You can see the fond affection his face and tone when he says this.

He may not agree with her but he loves that about her. The man loves her so much even when he’s being sassy it comes off as affectionate. It's the first time we see him smile this episode. Why? He’s talking about Lucy. She brings it out in him. She melts him even without even being present. Just the thought of her and he lights up. Her compassion is one of his fav things about her. Gah they cute.

They finally get to to be interviewed together. It’s the best part of the episode. Director not wasting any time with his first question. Asking them if they’re worried cause their doppelgänger relationship was so dysfunctional? Lucy once again seeing the best in them. Telling him it was an unfair characterization of them. That Jake cheated not only that but cut her out of a gun deal after that. Not healthy in the least but to her not dysfunctional.

I adore how riled up Tim is with his questions. Protective Tim has entered this conversation. Getting very agitated with what he’s implying. Look at how Lucy looks at Tim as he goes off on his rant. She loves this man sitting next to her. Grumpy rants and all. The amount of affection on her face as he continues his tangent. She could watch him go off all day. My heart. The director saying he thinks it's reasonable question. Tim doesn't agree and tells him off. Saying they’re working too hard. Ha I love him.

Tim continues on (very passionately might I add) about separating their relationship from Jake/Sava’s. Want's to make it VERY clear they are nothing like those two. That the only thing they share is looks. He is so offended he would even compare the two. I mean it’s true. They’re not on the same planet as Tim and Lucy. Lucy continues to look at her man with serious heart eyes. Her smile giving me all the feels.

She is loving his fierce defense of them as a couple. Saying Jake/Sava based their lives on deceit. Of course it infected their relationship. He’s not wrong…This next bit gets me all in my feels. The way he looks over at Lucy. A real genuine smile just for her. Look at his smile. I'm a puddle. He is the absolute softest for her. *heart clutch*

Saying they’re in a very different place. His passionate defense is of them is sexy if you ask me. Also look how different he is with her by his side. Sharing more than he's been doing in his previous interviews. Being a little vulnerable cause she’s there with him. More than he has the entire episode. I cannot. This makes my heart so happy.

The look on Lucy’s face when they ask what place they’re in? She is also ready to throw down with them. Incensed they would even ask that. Her reply is perfection. Saying ‘If you don’t know, then you haven’t been paying attention.’ I remember thinking this was a shot at anyone complaining this season. (and I LOVED it) Which blew my mind btw whenever I saw it. Cause if you could be negative in a season this good what makes you happy? I remember unfollowing some people cause I didn't want their tainted vision in my feed. If you could look at their relationship and not see the beautiful progression you weren't watching the same season as me.

To not see what they’ve built to this point in the season. You are like Lucy said clearly not paying attention. I remember seeing some posts about not enough PDA, kisses or intimacy. (there was lots of intimacy btw just not straight up making out) You’re missing the point of the realistic healthy adult relationship that's being portrayed. They're not teenagers who will be angsty over nothing. These are people in a stage of their life where that nonsense isn't going to happen. Any angst they've had has been productive. If you came out of this episode thinking they needed to be more like Jake/Sava you missed the point entirely. Of this season really. They are not them.

The beauty of Lucy and Tim is in the small tender moments. The little things that add up to so much. Yes I love kisses and such don't get me wrong. God I love them. Will lose my mind over any in S6 no doubt. But there is so much more to a relationship than just that. The emotional intimacy and how they’ve grown together since 5x10 is unreal. The massive shift in Tim alone is enough to tell you how well written they are. What a healthy adult relationship looks like. Had their bumps along the way but what couples doesn’t? I just loved that line from Lucy. S5 is a game changer in the best way for them. If you can’t see it or how they've both grown together you clearly haven’t been paying attention. That line was amazing and I loved her saying as such.

The director takes shot at what place they're in. Coming up with some buzz words. As generic as he could possibly be. Lucy calls him out for it. Because it no where near describes what these two have. Tim is simmering as this guy continues to try and rile them up. I adore him ready to go off and Lucy immediately calms him with a single touch. That’s all takes for him to go from raging bull to heart eye Tim in an instant for her.

Tim was ready to thrown the hell down. I love protective Tim. Lucy taking the wheel in this moment is everything. Her touch basically saying she's got this. Looking directly at her man when she says this next line above. Also don’t think I didn’t see your eyes move to his lips madam. I do adore how she is looking at him. Exuding every ounce of love in her body for him as she speaks. They’re so in love make my heart hurt in the best way. Her eyes so full of warmth and affection for the man sitting next to her. They really are in a beautiful place. Making my shipper heart so very happy.

Tim’s sweet smiles as she rubs her thumb up and down his wrist in a soothing manner. I love it so very much. Never be over how she make's sure to keep eye contact as she calms him down. Tim also doesn't break his eye contact with her as she does this. They're killing me with all the shipper feels in this moment.

Let’s not forget her necklace on full display here. In this beautiful moment. Happy looks so damn good on them everyone. Another thing I love so much is how Tim lets her take over. He was ready to shut this down. Kick them out. She places her hand on his arm and he’s at peace. Lets her direct them from here on out. Only Lucy has the power to soothe him this quickly and effectively.

She’s calmed Tim down enough to have him rejoin the convo. Saying as police officer your future is never certain. Lucy adding on anything can happen at any time. Tim rolling it into kicking them out is amazing. Telling them straight up they’ve overstayed their welcome at this point. I mean they really have LOL Cracks me up how she turns her head towards him. Not really shocked but realizing he's over this now. Her smile is the best.

I love him pointing his finger. The shots at his relationship with Lucy were his breaking point. That is the most precious thing in world to him. Something so sacred. Why Lucy had to stop him from eating them lol Lucy’s reaction is the best. She loves this insane man sitting next to her so much. Her pushing his arm down like 'Ok babe that’s enough.' lmao. Such a wifey move to do that but also she knows Tim is at his limit. Tells them it's time to go now....

I love them instantly going into couple time mode once it's over. Lucy asking if he wants sushi? Tim saying how it’s perfect. Then looks back at them glaringly. Saying this place better be spotless when they get back. I love her escorting him out of the apt. Hand on his back directing him towards the front door before he pops off more. Such a married move. God damn I love them so much everyone. Fantastic ep from start to finish. ❤️

~~~~

Side notes-non chenford

Grey’s picture and how happy it makes him I love it so much. It’s so cute I can’t stand it.

He was so distraught when it was destroyed lol They replace it and it’s so sweet hilarious adorable thing for Grey.

Thank you to all my readers you make my entire day when you like, comment and reblog. Tis been a joy for me. See you all in 5x19 :)

[renegadesstuff]

How it started 🥹

How it's going 😍

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

Chenford & Java Crumbs Per Episode:  Episode 5x18 Double Trouble

[bluenet13]

A vision softly creeping (a The Rookie post 5x18 fic)

Dim's death haunts Lucy in ways she just can't shake. Fortunately, Tim is there to remind her that they're still in a beautiful place.

AO3

Lucy Chen opens her eyes, and all she sees is darkness. She raises a hand, but it only hits solid oak. She pushes, but the wood won't give. Taking in her surroundings in the dim light, she knows at once that she's inside a casket. The soft padding under and around her is an easy giveaway, along with the ornate wood that functions as a lid, and the rectangular shape of her prison. She can't remember what happened or how she got here, but the erratic beating of her heart tells her that this must be a terrible mistake because she's very much still alive.

The air around her feels stifling, lacking in oxygen. Breathing hurts, and she's beginning to feel dizzy. Absent-mindedly, she wonders if she's dying inside a barrel again, slowly running out of air, and her organs starting to shut down. The thought stops her growing panic and replaces it with a new sense of dread, and suddenly she's no longer inside the casket, but looking down at it. It's not a casket anymore; but a dumpster, and she's gazing down at Tim's lifeless body. His face is bruised and bloodied, his skin uncharacteristically pale, his features etched with fear and pain, and her panic comes back tenfold as she takes in the gunshot wound that took his life.

Lucy wakes up with a start, gasping for air. Her heart is pounding in her chest, her body covered in sweat, and she instantly knows she's had the dream again. She looks around the room, her eyes adjusting to the darkness as she tries to steady her breathing and stop her spiraling thoughts like she does every night. But it's no use this time. Nightmares had plagued her for weeks now, ever since the documentary and Jake's death, but this one had been too vivid, too real.

She closes her eyes and shakes her head, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream. But she can still see Tim's lifeless body lying in a dumpster, just like they had found Jake's, even though she can feel the strong arms of the real Tim wrapped around her and his soft breathing against the back of her neck.

"It isn't real," she whispers to herself.

"Tim is alive and well," she reminds her heart.

"We both made it out," she tells her brain. And for good measure, she pinches herself before turning around slowly to see Tim's face.

His eyes are closed, and he's smiling softly in his sleep. His chest rises up and down, and she knows he's alive - she's seeing it in front of her. But the image of Tim's body, or what she thought was his body, lingers in her mind. She tries to push it away and live in the moment, but ever since Aaron's fatal radio call, she's been tormented by the terrifying possibility of losing Tim. Her fears manifest in her mind almost every night, leaving her restless and haunted by the ghost of what could have been and could still be.

Eventually, she gets out of bed, carefully lifting Tim's arm off her body and extricating herself from his embrace. She turns back around before leaving the room and leans down, ghosting her lips over his forehead but not actually kissing him, so as to not wake him up.

Lucy stands in the kitchen, quietly making some tea to calm her nerves. She hopes the aroma and taste of her favorite peppermint and lavender will be enough to shake off the residual fear that still has her on edge. As she waits for the water to boil, she rubs her eyes, feeling the familiar exhaustion set in, and a heavy sigh escapes her lips.

Lost in her thoughts, Lucy doesn't hear Tim walking up to her, and nearly jumps out of her skin when his strong arms wrap around her.

"Hey, you scared me," she breathes out, surprised to see him there even though she should have expected it.

"Sorry." Tim's groggy and concerned voice comes from behind her. He presses a kiss on top of her head and settles his chin on her shoulder. "Just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Lucy leans back against Tim's body and meets his knowing smile with apprehension instead of relief. "I'm sorry I woke you," she says, hoping to avoid his probing questions. "I tried to be quiet."

"It's fine." Tim waves his hand, brushing off her concern, but Lucy can hear the worry in his tone. "But you didn't answer my question."

"I'm fine. Just tired," Lucy says automatically, hoping Tim will let it go. But of course, he doesn't.

Tim nods, and his smile falters slightly and he frowns, sensing her reluctance to open up. "Yeah, it's been a long week. But that's not what's going on here," he prods lightly.

Lucy smiles weakly, but a chill runs down her spine. She's not at all surprised that Tim can read her so well, but she wishes they didn't have to talk about it. She wishes even more that this wasn't affecting her so much.

They stand in silence for a moment, lost in their own thoughts, until Tim speaks up again. "Another nightmare?" he asks kindly, understanding written in his voice.

Lucy blows out a breath and nods, her eyes downcast as she fumbles with the tea bag. "You knew?"

"Of course, I know," Tim says simply, wrapping his arms around her tighter, holding her as close as humanly possible. "I wanted to give you space, to let you work it out on your own until you were ready to share. But I'm worried about you. This is the third nightmare this week."

Lucy nods again, unable to speak. Her voice is trapped in her throat, and the only thing that comes out is a choked sob. She turns around in Tim's arms and buries her face in his chest, holding onto him like a lifeline.

Tim rubs her back soothingly, his touch gentle and warm, and lets her cry. He stays quiet, but for the words he whispers in her ear, "Shh, it's okay. I'm sorry, Luce. I'm so sorry."

Lucy knows she's been holding everything inside for far too long, and in the comfort and safety of Tim's arms, she finally allows herself to release it all. The anguish and fear that have been building inside of her for weeks pour out in broken sobs, as she lets herself grieve the many versions of Tim she keeps losing in her dreams.

Eventually, Lucy's breathing evens out and she pulls away from Tim. She looks up at him, eyes puffy and bloodshot, her tears still carving a path down her cheeks, and Tim's heart breaks for her. His silhouette is visible against the faint light filtering through the window, and even in near darkness, Lucy can see the worry etched on his face, and she knows he deserves an explanation.

"I keep seeing the dumpster and hearing Aaron's call, but it's never Jake's body. It's y-yours," Lucy's voice trembles as she struggles to explain. "I hear gunshots, and bagpipes. And sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind. I know rationally it's not you, it's Jake. But with you and him looking so alike, and with you impersonating him during the undercover operations, it only makes everything worse, because it could have been you. It could still be you."

Tim's expression softens, and he reaches out to take her hand, his fingers lacing through hers, warm and reassuring. "I know, Luce. It could. But we have known that ever since we met. Our futures have never been certain. Nothing has changed, just that we're in a better place now. A beautiful place. So, why let the fear win? The what ifs don't matter. What matters is that I'm here. Dim is gone but I'm not. We're both here and we're okay."

"I know." She wants to say that everything has changed, that she loves him now, but she's not ready yet. Instead, she squeezes his hand, her grip tight and desperate, and clings to him for dear life. But she still looks haunted, her lower lip caught between her teeth as if she's holding back more.

"I'm here, Lucy. I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to worry about that," Tim murmurs, his voice a gentle hum, low and calming in the quiet of the apartment. "If you ever have another nightmare, just wake me up, okay? I want to be there for you, to chase away those fears and remind you that I'm here." He pulls her close, his embrace enveloping her in a sense of safety and home. As he tenderly strokes her hair, Lucy leans into his chest, feeling his heart beat against her cheek.

Tim waits patiently, knowing she'll talk again when she's ready, and fills the comfortable silence with a gentle reminder, "And if you ever have a bad thought and need to talk about anything, no matter how big or small, you can always call or message me if I'm not already with you," he adds, his lips brushing against her hair. "I'm here for you, always."

"Thank you." Lucy sighs in contentment and breathes in the scent of his cologne, a mix of sandalwood and citrus, and lets herself sink into the moment. "I know all that when I'm awake. But then, sometimes, when I close my eyes, I see you lying there, and I can hear Aaron's call over the radio. It's like my mind can't let go of that day," she eventually says, matching her breathing with the steady beat of his heart.

"I'm going to kill Aaron," Tim jokes, and the soft rumble of his laughter helps to ease the tension in Lucy's shoulders, making it easier for her to breathe.

Lucy chuckles and shakes her head as she speaks up, her tone lighter and teasing. "I still don't know what he was thinking when he made that call. You two did look alike, but Jake was covered in tattoos and his hair was so... greasy. Did Aaron even stop to really look at the body before making that call?"

He gives her a small smile and kisses her temple. "I have no idea. I'm actually a bit offended that he not only got us confused, but that his voice sounded so uninterested and emotionless after supposedly finding my body. I know I dumped the guy when I moved from Patrol Sergeant to Metro, but I didn't think Thorsen was the type to hold a grudge."

Tim's feigned indignation accomplishes its purpose, and Lucy dissolves into a fit of giggles, barely able to muffle them against his shirt. "Thank you," she says, raising on her toes and pulling back to give him a chaste kiss.

Tim smiles against the kiss, and whispers softly against Lucy's lips, "You don't have to thank me. I'm always here for you, no matter what." He pauses, waiting a beat, and offers, "And you don't have to go back to sleep right now. We can talk, watch tv, or just sit here in the dark. Whatever you need."

"Yeah, I'd like that," Lucy agrees, grateful for Tim's understanding. She really doesn't want to be alone with her thoughts, so she takes Tim's hand and leads him to the living room.

They sit on the edge of the couch, the quiet of the apartment wrapping them like a cozy blanket. Tim scoots against the backrest and encircles his arm around her shoulder, letting her settle against his side. Lucy leans her head against his chest and seeks the steady beat of his heart once more. Letting the certainty of his heartbeat and the warmth of his embrace chase away the remnants of her nightmare, hopefully for good.

They stay silent after that, basking in the peace and stillness of the world past midnight, and relishing each other's company until Tim reaches for the remote and cues up an episode of Ted Lasso. Though soccer isn't their favorite sport, the show never fails to make them laugh.

As they watch, Lucy feels a weight lifting off her shoulders, and she drifts off to sleep before the first episode is even over. Tim smiles at her sleeping form and kisses her forehead, resting his head softly against hers as he follows her into a peaceful slumber.

[rodpower78]

I'm literally sitting in this office because of a secret she kept.

Sgt. Tim Bradford

[karihighman]

idk who needs to hear this but

dim & juicy = the nicknames chenford came up with for their doppelgängers

so

dim = jake ⬇️

juicy = sava ⬇️

jake & sava = tim & lucy’s doppelgängers

therefore if dim is missing, that means jake is missing. so chenford enlists juicy (sava) to help

Juicy and Dim are not the alter egos of Tim and Lucy as undercover agents. I mean, yes, they went undercover AS Sava and Jake in 5x01 ⬇️

But, juicy ≠ UC Lucy and dim ≠ UC Tim.

Juicy and Dim = Sava and Jake’s nicknames because they LOOK LIKE LUCY AND TIM. 😁👍

[bb-olicity]

“Double Trouble” Thoughts

So it’s been a few days and I figured out why I didn’t really care for this week’s episode. It’s me.  In the past, I’ve really enjoyed the “True Crime” episodes, but up until recently I wasn’t a part of the show’s fandoms and I didn’t have expectations going into those episodes even after seeing the promos.  This time, however, after seeing the promo and reading so many great theories, I was totally expecting both Tim and Lucy to go undercover as Jake and Sava and for it to be a bigger part of the episode, not just the few we got of Lucy.  With those expectations, I was really excited, especially now that Tim and Lucy are a couple.  Once I realized that was not what we were getting, it was hard for me not to be disappointed and to find the episode really enjoyable. 

Also, if the episode had aired when it was still weekly episodes, I think I would’ve enjoyed it more.  As it was, I was thinking ‘it’s been 3 weeks and this is what we’re getting?’

So maybe knowing all that, when I do a rewatch it I’ll actually like it better.  But no matter how I feel about the episode, one thing’s for sure. Melissa and Eric were absolutely amazing!

One last thing: After watching the last scene so many times, I’m wondering if this exchange is the writers way of telling us that Tim and Lucy are in love and have told each other off-screen so we won’t get their first “I love you” moment?

Tim (comparing his and Lucy’s relationship to Jake and Sava’s): … But… we are in a very different place.

Interviewer: And what place is that?

Lucy: If you don’t know, then you haven’t been paying attention.

[severide-stella]

CHENFORD

– 4X16, "Real Crime" / 5x18, "Double Trouble"

[chenfordsource]

TIM BRADFORD AND LUCY CHEN IN THE ROOKIE 5x18 “DOUBLE TROUBLE” PROMO

[bronx-bomber87]

The Rookie Reviews Season's 1-6 Master List. Will be Pinned To Blog for Easy Access. S6 in a seperate link at bottom of list. S7 coming Summer of 25’

Top Eps Listed Season's-1-4 Made a ranking list my fave eps for an ask. Wanted to include in this list.

Started: 5/13/23

Last Updated : 10/05/24

Works: 108

Season 1

1x01-Pilot

1x02-Crash Course

1x03-The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

1x04-The Switch

1x05-The Roundup

1x06-The Hawke

1x07-The Ride Along

1x08-Time Of Death

1x09-Standoff

1x10-Flesh and Blood

1x11-Redwood

1x12-Heartbreak

1x13-Caught Stealing

1x14-Plain Clothes Day

1x15-Manhunt

1x16-Greenlight

1x17-The Shakeup

1x18-Homefront

1x19-Checklist

1x20-Freefall

Season 2

2x01-Impact

2x02-The Night General

2x03-The Bet

2x04-Warriors and Guardians

2x05-Tough Love

2x06-Fallout

2x07-Safety

2x08-Clean Cut

2x09-Breaking Point

2x10-The Dark Side

2x11-Day Of Death

2x12 Now and Then

2x13-Follow Up Day

2x14-Casualties

2x15-Hand Off

2x16-The Overnight

2x17-Control

2x18-Under The Gun

2x19-The Q Word

2x20-The Hunt

Season 3

3x01-Consequences

3x02-In-Justice

3x03-La-Fiera

3x04-Sabotage

3x05-Lockdown

3x06-Revelations

3x07-True Crime

3x08-Bad Blood

3x09-Amber

3x10-Man Of Honor

3x11-New Blood

3x12-Brave Heart

3x13-Triple Duty

3x14-Threshold

Season 4

4x01-Life and Death

4x02-Five Minutes

4x03-In the Line Of Fire

4x04-Red Hot

4x05-A.C.H

4x06-Poetic Justice

4x07-Fire Fight

4x08-Hit and Run

4x09-Breakdown

4x10-Heart Beat

4x11-End Game

4x12-The Knock

4x13-Fight or Flight

4x14-Long Shot

4x15-Hit List

4x16-Real Crime

4x17-Coding

4x18-Backstabbers

4x19/4x20-Simone/Envervo

4x21-Mother's Day

4x22-Day In The Hole

Season 5

5x01-Double Down

5x02-Labor Day

5x03-Dye Hard

5x04-The Choice

5x05-The Fugitive

5x06-The Reckoning

5x07-Crossfire

5x08-The Collar

5x09-Take Back

5x10-The List

5x11-The Naked and The Dead

5x12-Death Notice

5x13-Daddy Cop

5x14-Death Sentence

5x15-The Con

5x16-Exposure

5x17-The Enemy Within

5x18-Double Trouble

5x19-A Hole in the World

5x20-S.T.R

5x21-Going Under

5x22-Under Siege

Season 6 Separate Post

[renegadesstuff]

Happy first anniversary! 🤍

IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE SAW JAKE AND SAVA AGAIN. A YEAR SINCE LUCY CALLED TIM, A BIG SOFTY. AND A YEAR SINCE THAT FAMOUS LAST SCENE. 🥹

S5E18, “Double Trouble” aired 1 year ago (March 21, 2023) 💛

[sgtbradfords]

Hi!! I read in your tags in the post about Tim in the "Man of Honor" episode that they brought back his iconic blue hoodie in season 5. I LOVE this hoodie, but I don't remember when we see it again in season 5! Can you remind me what episode that's in? Thank you!

Of course! I absolutely love that wardrobe reuses outfits. The hoodie moment in season 5 is very short lived. You can find it in 5x18 Double Trouble when Lucy goes undercover as Sava in the park! Tim of course is one of the ones providing backup for Lucy :)

Below you will find that I have gifed the small scene with the aforementioned hoodie. Hopefully we will see it again someday!

[televisionpromos]

The Rookie 5x18 "Double Trouble" Promo - Check out the promo for The Rookie Season 5 Episode 18 airing March 21st on ABC.

[chenford4ever]

The official synopsis for the episode reads:

ABC has released the synopsis and photos for The Rookie season 5, episode 18, “Double Trouble.” The episode will have NSYNC’s Lance Bass guest starring as himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYp51JKj3RY The Rookie 5x18 Sneak Peek Clip 1 "Double Trouble"

The official synopsis for the episode reads:

“When Dim goes missing, Officer Chen and Sergeant Bradford, along with the CIA, set out to find him and enlist the help of Juicy.”

[elizabethrobertajones]

Hello u, i was wondering about s/t destiel meta there is a lot of significance placed on the show making distinctions between sam and dean reacting to Cas like very obvious this season, but this doesnt happen vice versa does it? As in Cas usually isnt shown to react differently to Sam and Dean if something happens to both of then like when they were taken in s12 or when he was in the empty "dam and dean need me". Why do they show dean worry more about Cas than Sam but Cas doesnt about samndeN

Hi!

It’s definitely not about making a statement that Cas doesn’t love Dean any more than he loves Sam. 

I think there’s very different standards that apply. Basically that there’s ALWAYS inescapably the entire substance of these two relationships which always apply and very often are called out by the narrative in these moments anyway. That their relationships are incomparable even when they’re compared and lumped together. That Cas and Dean forged their relationship through actions which are wholly different from how he forged his friendship with Sam. We saw him barely interact with Sam for the *longest* time. 

I honestly can’t recall him getting alone time with Sam between Sam laying into him in 4x16 and Cas being drunk and surly at Sam in 5x17 (though, tbh, I consider that an excellent forward momentum episode for both Cas and Dean AND Cas and Sam’s relationships that we got basically nothing of that quality for for miles around). Between 5x17 and 5x18 Cas and Sam work together to find Dean, but it’s off-screen, however it IS the first and for a long time only time they seriously work together, alone on sometime. 

Through season 5 it’s implied Cas is working with them both off-screen with no specifics given but enough that his loyalties are obvious and he calls Sam a friend in 5x13, not to his face. He continues to majority interact with Dean only or Sam n Dean, and I think 5x21 is his only mission on screen without Dean but with Sam and Bobby, until much much later (I mean, am I wrong or is 10x17 the only other episode with this specific dynamic right down to Dean hanging with Crowley on the other side of the story?). 

9x11 is the first time Cas and Sam SERIOUSLY hang out and discuss their relationship and work out where they stand on everything, emotionally bond over their connected story arcs they’ve been running alongside each other the whole time since season 6, and finally get in the bonding time and hug we deserve. I’m pretty sure it’s the only time they’re seriously alone since season 5… With a passing moment in 8x10, perhaps, and their conversation in 7x21 which seemed important to me but the camera chooses to focus on Meg sneaking out and the sound fades out so you have to strain to catch some of their words - the fact they talk is literally a background detail. 

I remember 9x22 airing and being in fandom at last, and how much of a DELIGHT we all took it that Cas and Sam worked together, and in season 10, building on that, it was the first season they routinely had scenes together without Dean, and their own subplot based on actual interaction, and multiple episodes they were alone in a situation together. TFW having all branches connected back to each other for regular interaction and well-established non-fraught and genuinely connected relationships, literally dates to the Mark of Cain, and honestly *since* it, Cas has gone back pretty much to a default Dean-connected character, though his relationship with Sam is clearly better and more routinely shown to exist beyond the fact they keep fighting side by side. 

(And honestly I got some flak for saying once a long time ago during season 10 that Cas and Sam weren’t properly shown to be friends until 9x11 but fuck it, we’ve had seasons of them actually seeming to be friends with their own proper connections since and it’s nothing like it was before 9x11 and now I have all of seasons 9-13 to compare to what came before I’m doubling down on that hard, and insisting that Cas saying Sam was his friend in 5x13 was a very symbolic but not particularly real gesture. Like, you’d die for him but do you even know his middle name? Carver era established Sam and Cas as real friends, not just guys who occasionally fight alongside each other and care about Dean a lot as their ONE common purpose aside from saving the world from whatever, and given the wealth of better interaction between them and how different it feels, I���m sticking by that. They NEEDED an arc that shoved them together to work on things WITHOUT Dean to build up any REALISTIC sense they were friends and give us the actual meat of a relationship to base a dynamic on.)

Edlund points out the difference between Dean n Cas and Sam and Cas a couple of times in season 6 in very bad lines which feel horrible but tell a truth nonetheless, and one that persists in better times - the “more profound bond” line and the awful awful use of “raised you from perdition” on Sam. One directly tells us that Cas considers that he and Dean have spent more quality time and have more in common, and the other is deliberately taking a MEANINGFUL and high intensity line between Dean and Cas, and applying it to Sam and Cas in a way that could ONLY fall flat and suggest more horror and awfulness than good, and lacked all of the interpersonal importance that Dean took from meeting Cas. 

In season 7 when Cas saves Sam it’s easy to connect to Cas’s pleas to Dean in 6x20, 6x21 and 6x22 that it’s ABOUT Dean and finally 7x01 where he promises DEAN personally that he will redeem himself to him, followed by choosing to save Sam in 7x17 with a strong thematic implication that he’s doing it for Dean and Sam’s just the object of doing it, and only in 7x21 (muffled and unimportant) and 9x11 does Cas actually relate his experiences TO Sam and begin to feel direct empathy to him and relate to him. 

You know, meanwhile *gestures back at 4x01 and then fast forwards through all the DeanCas stuff that happens in between there and now* More profound bond blah blah blah.

I mean at no point do I doubt that Cas doesn’t CARE for Sam, even in a very abstract way to begin with. But it’s an uneven playing field even if by the second half of season 9 I think they’re comfortably friends and consider each other family in a very meaningful way beyond the kind of brother-in-law family obligation they had via Dean. It’s just still a Thing that Cas and Dean are different in a fundamentally powerful way that Cas can’t compare to for Sam, and when it WAS compared in the “raised you from perdition” line, it’s in a way that deliberately feels AWFUL in context. Especially as saving Sam *meaningfully* was engineered by Dean and done by Death in 6x11, which Cas played no part in whatsoever and actively argued against doing, out of concern for Sam, but by 6x20 with Sam at least upright and restored for the time being, certainly looks even worse on paper, BEFORE we get to Sam’s fear that Cas brought him back soulless on purpose.

Meanwhile, Cas has always reacted to protect Sam and Dean equally when the two of them are in trouble, whether it’s for Dean’s sake or for both their sakes, things tend to happen to them *together* and so it would be pretty horrible to show Cas not caring about Sam when both he and Dean need saving. In some ways this is avoided by the story by just always setting Cas up in a way where it’s either an easy “SamnDean” statement, or having him *with* Dean in Purgatory. When something horrible happens to Sam, in 9x01 Cas is separated and unable to help; 9x09 has Cas realise something is terrible wrong with Sam beyond what Dean knows, and react by stealing grace and it’s set up so he has to call Dean, has to go to Dean in 9x10, and it’s awesome. I already covered that he saves Sam in 7x17 ostensibly for Dean and only later considers Sam on a personal level. 

I think the big examples are the season 12 set ups on Cas’s side to protect “the Winchesters” (all of them including and especially Mary in 12x09) and the “I love you - I love all of you” in 12x12 which definitely involves Dean first, then the rest, as a form of clarification, with 12x10′s message in between which is specifically about who Cas loves, and that specific message is in 13x04 as well, while the main message is a “sam and dean need me”, that’s specifically called out as the Bad Reason To Go Back, and I think put to bed at that point. Cas has to choose to go back for his own reasons, for what he loves and hates and all the things he has in his life he values on their own individual purposes, and what he stands to gain or lose, which is a hugely different message, and links back to 12x12 that this is where what he “loves” was made clear…. or not made clear. But “for SamnDean” was trounced utterly. That he can’t act on stock phrases about how much he cares for an abstract blob of Winchester and ties to that which is only an obligation which has been killing him for years. He has to WANT it and be accepted and understand it’s not just for what he can do for them, but that they accept him as family and he doesn’t have to feel that obligation to help them in order to deserve it. (And I think 13x06 was really important that Cas WASN’T required or necessary except that Dean wanted him there. That only his obligation to Jack affected anything.)

And the Mark of Cain arc which to me as a fandom newbie for season 10 as my first full season with everyone, and the end of season 9 just in time for all the big Destiel build up at the end, seems to tell it on Cas’s side that Dean is utterly different to Sam. There’s no fair comparison to Sam being in massive trouble and Cas reacting this way, but it’s hard to imagine he would, if Dean was still there to panic harder. 12x01 gave us that set up and Dean LET Cas worry “more” but he was still the one who snapped a guy’s phone in half in a panicked rage. Sam was once left with Cas and Dean in Purgatory and it was to emphasise his total loss. Dean’s never had to save Cas and Sam together and be put in that position. But season 9 and 10 put Cas and Sam together against Dean’s dark arc, and THAT was fascinating.

Breaking the format to make Sam and Cas work together about Dean gives us Sam and Cas talking constantly about Dean together, expressing their concerns and reacting in their own ways. It’s implicit in the first part of the arc and then clearly laid out in the last act with Cain’s list making the Colette comparison undeniably canon, but Cas and Sam are deliberately put in different places to Dean’s struggle, and react in their own ways - Sam right up in the sharp end of it dealing with being the potential Abel to Dean’s Cain (which, yikes, I can’t believe he SLEPT for a season and a half with Dean in the same Bunker as him :P) and Cas as the wife that a disproportionate amount of time was spent on in 9x11 to tell us Cain’s story.

Obviously, Sam and Cas are both invested in saving Dean, and frequently work together to do so, or work to a common purpose, e.g. Cas splitting off to deal with Metatron or find Cain in 9x23/the middle part of season 10, is easily decided common purpose and not weird or particularly telling in their character dynamic, but then when the pay off comes, obviously puts them in radically different places in their own narrative (the conclusion of Metatron’s “in love… with humanity” thing, or Cain sorting Sam, Cas and Crowley into his life story).

To me there are a few places which show up either Sam or Cas’s different level of investment in Dean which were really, really fascinating. 

In 9x18 and 9x22, Cas seems to know waaay better than Sam the danger of the Mark but Sam is in semi denial, and it takes a looong time - maybe even seeing Dean shout at him in the end of 9x22 - to really understand, while Cas is on high alert from the moment he finds out Dean has the Mark and asking Sam about it or to keep an eye on Dean. You can explain Cas knowing more about the Mark by being an angel, but Sam’s reaction of denial is part of his current relationship troubles with Dean, so Cas is being played off as being far more personally concerned (this coupled with Dean asking after Cas on the phone was a real shipper novelty in 9x22 - and the conversations at the end of that episode of course). It’s presumably a contrast to make us worried about Sam’s denial and how he’s been missing the cues all season, with the danger of Abaddon as well, as they’re the core relationship, but showing Dean irrationally furious with Sam but chill with Cas at the end of the episode is a strange note when you swing the camera around from focusing on the brothers and the tension of a brother-killing curse, and look at how Dean n Cas reflect in it.

In 10x01 we get a shot I am never going to be over forever:

Sam and Cas are separated, and taking their arcs about saving Dean personally and through their own hurdles (Sam’s hurdle, unfortunately, kinda sucks and is borderline unwatchable these days for external reasons >.>) Cas gets this amazing arc with Hannah confronting everything about humanity and being an angel, and love and feelings and being tied to Earth… And it’s all focused down in Cas having an extremely romantic pining reaction to Dean going missing, this damsel in distress lying in bed with one knee poking out shot, conveniently fragile in this moment… (And they didn’t have to make him ill like this - they could have made him driven but burning up visibly a la Lucifer in season 5.)

This is contrasted to Sam’s montage of frantic action the season opens on, but for Cas it narrows down to “I miss him” and he’s allowed the emotion in that moment. His story is told separately and focuses on what he stands to lose and gain by choosing Dean, at a point in his story where that choice is not just there for him to make again, but defining his entire place in the universe after that choice. He chooses Dean, repeatedly, at the repeated loss of Hannah, who also represents Heaven, while Dean represents Earth and Humanity, and what all THAT means for Cas.

I love that Sam and Cas have separate storylines - I love the entire open of season 10 BECAUSE TFW are separate and each thing they do represents their own place in their journey. And the overlap between Cas and Dean’s stuff is pretty hilariously obvious, thematically and with “subtle” clues like them both getting told off by their respective romantic false leads for flashing them :P The narratives for all of them are different, but Cas and Dean’s are folded together to show the connection. Sam’s story is radically different, and lacks this entirely, whether it’s connections to Dean (he’s lost his) or mirrors to Cas’s search - they’re on entirely different paths.

The rest of season 10 builds up the Colette narrative, and I think we’ve written enough on 10x22 and 10x23 but suffice to say it had the “she asked me to stop” moment, and Cas making several sweeping declarations of eternal love that Dean was in no place to accept, while Sam went to confront an entirely different part of the story working on an entirely different personal level. And there ends a season and a half of comparing Cas and Sam’s reactions to Dean in emotional distress.

And there’s all the other obvious stuff, all the choices Cas is made to make for Dean against Heaven, or things where they just SAY Dean is his human weakness and single him out from Sam, or tbh should we really be over Cas saying “Dean” when ALL the Winchesters walked into the house in 12x23, or how Sam disappeared from the montage all about Cas and Dean in 13x05, while Dean and Cas got their well-earned stares at each other. That was a two way street - Dean obviously led the way in, but Cas was staring back at him without looking over at Sam all through that, and it was Dean he chose to call…

I don’t really know how to separate all this context of Cas’s story with Dean from Cas speaking in general about the Winchesters - of course he cares when Sam is in trouble, and if it’s a scenario involving both of them, he WILL mostly react to care about both of them. But in other situations when it’s not generic action but focused emotional moments, he gets a disproportionate amount of them about Dean, and still defaults to thinking about Dean first, because of course they have the much more developed and fascinating relationship. 

There’s also the fact that in MANY cases “the Winchesters” is code for “Dean”, particularly when angels are talking to Cas about them. 11x02 is a good example specifically because Dean calls and them snarking about it makes it clear the angels have Thoughts about Dean and Cas, shortly before they begin torturing him for information about the Winchesters in general. There’s no plot reason they’d specify Dean, in the way 9x22/9x23 is still about Cas trying to save Dean from the Mark and Dean’s death is plot relevant to all that, but this time Dean’s brought into it as an additional feature via the phonecall, and then Cas gets suggestively tortured >.> 

In 12x10 it’s the same deal - Cas and Ishim talk about humanity affecting them, but at the end of the day the story separates Dean out as the human weakness maybe just because he’s the one who showed up, but also there’s a WEALTH of their history implicit in the fight and its staging, and it means more to them personally, building on that arc, than it could ever if it had been about Sam and Cas. This is the season of it being persistently shown that Dean and Cas react far stronger about each other than Sam getting involved in their crap, in 12x10, 12x12, 12x19, 12x20 and 12x23, and a season which involved saving Sam in the first 2 episodes, and Sam and Dean in the middle, Cas in the late-middle, Dean in 12x11 for Sam and Rowena to deal with, and Mary at the end, we have a LOT of contrasts to how they all react to each other, and Dean and Cas already took the cake *before* Cas died and sent us into the 6 episode Destiel nonsense season 13 started on dealing with Dean’s grief. I don’t think 13x01-5 is any more important than 10x01-3 for Sam and Cas dealing with Dean, or 12x01-2 for Cas, Dean and Mary to deal with losing Sam. They all show us various things about the characters, and not things that disappear in other contexts. 

I mean, I am pretty sure I can find posts explaining why it’s still Destiel for almost *any* moment Cas is challenged over or defends “the Winchesters” as a group unit. Because Cas feels that relationship most keenly of them all, even if they have become his very strange little family and he loves all of them.