#the rookie 4x21

[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Wednesday amazing fandom. So Next ep (4x22) will be on Friday this week. So I'll post Sunday for 5x01. Didn't want to post my usual next Monday on Christmas just as an FYI. Let's get started. Ahhh we only have 2 left in this season. Last two are huge. This one is more geared towards Lucy and her feelings. With Ashley thrown in the mix. Lucy’s feelings for Tim that are getting harder to conceal by the day. This is a good one heavy content after such low one for last two. So let’s get going.

4x21 Mother’s Day

We start off with problem number one. I mean Chris. Lucy telling him it’s a hard pass on meeting his parents. Not just no. 'HARD PASS' Damn Lucy straight up shutting his ass down. Her commitment issues are glaring in this scene. You can tell by her body language alone. Look at how uncomfortable she is as they’re talking about this subject. Touching the back of her neck. Her hand lingering near her tattoo. She is not feeling this conversation one bit.

To her Chris isn’t serious enough to be even remotely near that. Also she doesn't care enough either. Never close to that kind of commitment. Never was… i.e. 5x08 and all that. He is the definition of a convenience relationship. Also the man is blind when it comes to reading her properly. She says no and he pushes it. Then when he doesn’t get what he wants basically scolds her for it. Her face when he says ‘I figured you’d say that.’ Like why you asking then mofo? He gets under my skin like no other…

This next portion is jealously personified oh my lord. Mostly on Lucy’s part. Clown and Lucy walk up to Tim/Ashley discussing a trip. Lucy immediately needing to know if they’re planning a vacation. Chris being clued in for once is shocked she’s asking about it. Look at the man's eyebrows in the first gif. They say yes Hawaii. Chris goes right back to being the clueless idiot. He says he loves Hawaii but never been.... Why do you even speak man? Useless info from a useless human being.

Ashley starts spouting on about beaches and crap no one cares about tbh ha Lucy is not really listening anyways. You can tell she’s tuned out and is in analysis mode. Melissa is conveying so much with just her eyes in that second gif. She is jelly belly. Look at her watching them and trying to digest this moment. Her jealously starts here and doesn’t end till we reach Tim’s prank.

Chris tells her to call him if she changes her mind. Lucy just wards him off and says she won’t. No means no schmuck. Tim tries to ask her about that comment and Lucy deflects. She doesn’t care about Chris’s parents. Her one and only focus is about him. Needing to know whose idea it was for Hawaii? Tim being clueless to her inquiry just says mine I guess why? Lucy doesn’t get to finish her thought because they run into Harper.

Lucy mentions she thought she had the day off? Nyla says she did but Donovan is being a prick about the holiday. That he took Lila to see his mom for Mother’s Day. All the way in Santa Barbara. Leaving Nyla childless for Mother’s Day. Doing it as revenge. What a dick. Lucy says that’s really cruel even for him. Harper mentions James is taking his boys to see his ex-wife cause he’s a decent human being LOL

That at least she’s being paid time and a half to plot her revenge. Tim having slight respectful fear of her says he can wait to see what she comes up with haha Lucy joining him saying they should sell tickets. Their faces in those gifs are primo. I also love their shared looks as they leave. Damn they’re cute together. The most married looks as they’re leaving I cannot stand it. Knowing not to mess with Nyla today of all days. Best they can do is just get the hell out of there ha

We rejoin them in the shop. We watch Lucy struggle with wanting to get her thoughts out. You can tell she is nervous and scared of the answer she might get. Watching her body language alone during this scene is so telling. It's showing she is dying inside. That this is eating at her so much. Not once has Lucy ever thought Ashley was the right one for him. Now there is this potential he could be thinking about proposing to her... and it's making her sick to her stomach.

She is trying to contain her meltdown about this as best she can. Also like to note while Lucy builds up her courage in the first gif Tim is not stressed whatsoever. LOL Just thinking it's a normal day as they get out on the road. Living his best life while Lucy has her internal battle in the first gif. Lucy finally gets the guts to ask the question burning a hole in her stomach.

One that is making her nauseous. If he’s proposing to Ashley? She says it all high pitched. Clearly so very nervous of his potential answer. Tim seems blind sided by the question. The way he raises his eyebrows kills me. Saying no... They’ve only been dating a few months. Interesting you date Lucy for a few weeks and give up your career path to stay near her…Almost like she isn’t the one but we’ll get there haha

Lucy tells Tim he needs to be careful of the signals he’s sending. He asks her what she means? What kind of signals? She says the kind that makes her get a manicure. So that she can send pictures of a ring to all her friends. The way his eyes bug out in horror. Yeah there’s a man ready for the altar… The thought of marrying Ashley putting him in an absolute panic. That’s your soulmate right there Tim…better lock that down....They get interrupted by dispatch before they can continue. Lucy is enjoying his panic about it though. To her that means that’s not where they’re headed. So for now her freakout simmers down from a boil.

They return to the station to sync up with Angela. Their earlier call is linked to her situation from this morning. She was at a Mother’s Day brunch with Patrice and they got held up at gun point. These punks stole her Mother’s Day gift and terrified her MIL. Harper comes in like a bat out of hell. It’s pretty hilarious tbh. I love how Tim and Lucy just stand there as they plot Donovan’s demise. Her deserves it.

Talking about curses and such. They’re so chaotic together and it makes me so happy. I always enjoy their scenes though. Tim saying they should leave before become accessories. heh I love him being low key scared of Angela it’s the best. Also could they be any closer to each other as they leave? It’s like you guys want me to point this stuff out haha

Lucy is visiting with Patrice and she’s giving her solid mom advice. I love it so much. Saying her mom has to be the one to make the amends not her. Lucy seems so grateful for the advice. It's a super sweet mini moment. Tim walks in complaining about hotel prices. Lucy comes over and he has her look at his phone. (not a wifey thing to do at all...)Then tells him that’s not a bad deal. That if he wants cheaper he's gonna have to do Honolulu motel 6 LOL How romantic.... Patrice says Oh, Going to Hawaii? Congrats on his engagement.

Lucy is loving being right. She is beaming with smugness really. Saying ‘Ah told you!’ Tim tells her he’s not getting engaged. He’s so adamant about it. Patrice asks if his GF knows that? They have serious old married couple vibes in this scene. Especially when Patrice asks if he’s really this clueless? Her reply is absolute gold. Flirting with him right in front of Wesley’s mom LOL

I’m sure she’s thinking why aren’t these two together? The chemistry from their banter alone is enough to think that. He doesn’t even fight her just sighs. Accepting his fate with her in these situations. God they’re so married and adorable I cannot stand it. Soulmate material right here folks. Front and center. Lucy smiling as he walks away. She loves her goober so very much. Splashed all over her face.

Angela gives them an update on their crime spree couple. Saying their next target was a bridal shop. Lucy makes a pot shot at Tim. Angela perks right up and is confused as hell. Tim wards Lucy off and says to ignore her. We watch Lucy get agitated. The whole idea of Tim getting engaged is not sitting well with her in the slightest.

Now this is what I find the most interesting about this scene. After Tim says that Angela isn’t watching Tim’s reaction. She’s watching Lucy’s. Look at how she gauges Lucy. Can see she is deeply irritated. Her Chenford radar going off. She’s intuitive af I mean she’s a detective she has to be but still LOL She is reading what Lucy is projecting in this moment and is surprised Tim isn’t….

When they’re back in the shop Lucy continues to push her luck with this subject. Poking the bear just a little bit more. Saying the website she’s on says Hawaii is the #1 place to get married. Tim retorting back there’s no way she thinks he’s proposing. Lucy presses on because she can’t help herself. Say he’s of a certain age LOL His reaction to that is too damn funny. Like excuse me love?

Lucy adds in that Ashley is in her prime. That on paper this makes sense. That it’s a no brainer really. (Love the little tongue flick in that gif btw. Yum.) It’s coming off as teasing when Lucy low key needs to know. She has to have answers to all this. Also she is in quite the panic. Not hiding it well at all in order to get them. Lucy puts the final nail in the coffin of her anxiety with her next question. Asking if he can see himself married to her?

It’s the hesitation that says everything to me. He takes a few beats before replying. Lucy is anxiously awaiting his reply. Fidgeting with her phone as the silence stretches. Hoping its more of the 'No' he was giving her earlier. He finally answers like it’s a business transaction. Not someone he loves...Saying yeah he can. Lying liar who lies Timothy Bradford. SMH. This response it’s like wanting a specific meal and the restaurant is out. So they offer you something of lesser value. You’re hungry so you go with it. That’s Ashley. She is the lesser value of Lucy. Tim knows it. So he is settling with this relationship.

Why you ask? Because it’s safe and comfortable. Just like Lucy is with Chris. Also in the back of his head he knows he can never be with Lucy like that. Or so he thinks. He too felt that spark in 4x01 too. Has also been suppressing those thoughts all season. So what helps? A distraction. I.e. Ashley. I looked up settling just to have a good definition. "Settling isn't a choice people happily make for themselves. Often, people settle out of fear. It could be the fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, or even fear of rejection, and, in light of that, settling can feel like the safest choice." Definition of his relationship with Ashley especially going forward after this ep.

He sounds so unconvincing I don’t know Tim even believed what he just said. What Tim is doing here the epitome of settling at this point with Ashley. I don’t think one bit he actually wants to marry her. So much as he needs the companionship. Something he thought he could live without before Lucy. Then she brought Rachel into his life. He realized he could do this again. That he even missed it. So he may put off this lone wolf vibe but our boy just wants to be loved. So he will settle for any love he can get even if it’s not right for him. Which hurts my heart on a deep level.

We shoot back to Lucy. His reaction seems meh but hers is another story. She very much believes him and looks devastated. This episode is her epiphany episode IMO. Where all these feelings she felt launch for Tim during the 4x01 hug are bubbling up to the surface. She's been trying all season to tamp it down. To push it away thinking if she did it would just go away. Not how feelings work my friend.

I saw the funniest tag(s) for this set when I was looking for gifs. Couple people used it actually. Said it felt like Lucy was playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes LOL That is this scene. She went hunting for answers and only came up with heartbreak and sadness. Her plan was to validate her feelings about this whole thing. All it did was blow up in her face. She’s teased him the entire episode. She inadvertently made him seriously think about this.

She then got an answer she did not want… (none of us did) This is the absolute opposite of how she was with Rachel. She truly wanted Tim to be happy with her. News like this would’ve made her happy back in S2. Because Rachel was Lucy 2.0. Sad fact is Ashley is no where near right for Tim and she knows it. Also so much as transpired between them since S2. Her feelings being one of them. That makes this reaction she is having even more intense.

If Tim looked over he would’ve seen the devastation. It’s the most transparent she’s been all season long. Lucy has been a clear glass window this entire season with him. Yet this moment stands out as her most telling IMO. Lucy asked what she was scared to really get an answer for. Then got back a reply she was dreading. The last one above gets me the most. Melissa I commend you for it. So much being expressed here.

The way she is processing what’s he’s told her. The emotions coursing through her body. The twitch of her mouth trying to keep herself in check. Looks like she wants to scream or cry or possibly both. Shake Tim and say WTF are you thinking? Most of all she is just hurt. Not taking this kind of info in stride and realizing she is not. Like that dog with the house on fire sitting there with his coffee. ‘This is fine….’ I feel like sums up her emotions for this inquiry she made.

These are just great action shots of our couple in the field. They catch up to the crime spree couple. They're getting married in this really pretty church. Hijacked someone's wedding. Look how close they are as they fire back. Could take his own position but no lets share cover hehe I love the unnecessary touching she does on her way to catch the wife. It wasn’t necessary to touch him Lucy. Yet I’m here for it 100 %. That building is so beautiful BTW What a lovely place to get married. I hope whenever they get married someplace pretty like this. Or maybe won't be a church at all. Idc where as long as they're married ha

Ashley is waiting for him outside the station after his shift. She asks how his day was? He says good but Lucy was particularly annoying today. Please Timothy. Like you didn’t enjoy all of that attention from her. Do like Ashley defending Lucy and saying 'I'm sure that's not true.' Tim notices her new nail color and mentions it. Ashley says yeah she just got them done. The panic on this man’s face. LMFAO You’re a liar sir about wanting to marry her. 'Yeah I can' my ass.

Tim tells her he needs to clear the air about something. That there was a reason Lucy was so annoying today. She was convinced taking her to Hawaii meant a proposal. He panics some more and says 'You don’t think that right? Cause I’m not... 'Crashing and burning you handsome fool. She puts a finger to his lips and tells him to shush. That this isn’t what she was expecting at all.

That if he had she would’ve just said no… because she has no interest in being married ever. That she doesn’t want kids either. She's not wired that way. Now to me this should’ve been the end of the relationship for Tim. These are all things Tim wants out of a relationship. She is basically telling him exactly what she wants out of this. What she doesn’t want as well. She’s being honest and upfront. It’s up to Tim to tell her he wants those things out of a relationship. That this isn't going to work based on that.

He wants marriage and kids. I’m not an Ashley fan don’t get me wrong. I know the fandom didn’t like her. I sure wasn’t pleased with her being around. But she tells him right here and now she doesn’t want marriage. Not only that she doesn’t want kids. I don’t think that makes her selfish. It just makes her incompatible with Tim. It's actually self inflicted wound for Tim to continue dating her. Knowing he wants those things. She is a woman who knows what she doesn’t want and is telling him as such. That's what you do when you're dating someone. So you see if your values and life goals align. Their's very much don't.

I do think this moment is on Tim 100 %. We’ve seen him have communication problems in past relationships. Not telling his former SO's exactly how he is feeling. This relationship is extended due to lack of communication in this moment. Look at this man. He is deflated she doesn’t want these things. His response and body language is screaming disappointment. Unfortunately Ashley fails to read this. He should’ve told her he wants all those things.

Sadly he doesn't... the reality is he’s settling as I stated before. He is faking it with her. Saying that this is ok with him. It’s one thing not to be ready to marry someone. It’s another to realize this relationship has no future for him. He doesn’t want to be alone. This is a safe enough relationship to commit to so he does. Even if it’s stealing all his dreams away from him. Which makes me so sad for him. Because he thinks this is it for him. Which is why S5 is huge for him. But I'll gush about that when we get there. You know I love my Tim but staying in his relationship and having it last longer is on him. Instead of walking away because they aren't right for each other.

Tim sees Lucy is watching and is a little shit. He asks Ashley if she’ll do him a favor? First off kudos to Melissa once again for conveying so very much with just a look. Tim is making sure he’s looking over at her as he ‘proposes.’ If you look at his face you can see his eyes flit over to her. Pranking is their love language. But if Tim had looked over after he 'proposed' he would see a heart breaking. I think it’s here Lucy is realizing her feelings for Tim.

Because she is reacting like someone who is in love. Lucy is now heartbroken thinking Tim is getting married. Her person is getting married. To the wrong person. She is beyond crushed really. If you looked up devastated in the dictionary that gif should be there. Lucy is so gone for him at this point and its hitting her like a ton of bricks. I mean her behavior this entire episode reflects that. This is a painful epiphany for her.

It was something that was on a low simmer in the back of her brain all season. Now its been pulled to the forefront and is boiling over. I think she is having a million thoughts racing through her mind right now. That he is far more than just her friend and co-worker. He is her best friend and she's in love with him. That is the face of someone who is crushed her person is going to marry someone else. Be bound to Ashley. When she is the right person for him not her.

Chris comes up babbling about his mom and Lucy has checked out. She is there in body but her mind is outside with Tim. In the first gif we can see her trying to reset. To care that her current BF is in front of her. That she isn't having a emotional spiral about her best friend getting married. She’s scrambling to assemble her thoughts and emotions. Lucy is so flustered and trying to give a crap about Chris's existence. She’s so visibly upset and Chris once again doesn’t read her well.

It’s then she gets Tim’s text we see relief flood over her. Then instant anger as Tim waves at her as they leave. If I was Ashley I would be questioning why my boyfriend wanted to trick his ‘platonic aide’ into thinking they’re engaged…but ok. She ignores Chris further and goes to hunt down Angela to curse Tim LOL Once again how Chris and Ashley didn’t see how in love these two idiots were I’ll never know. Especially Chris my god. Lucy was so very transparent this entire season with Tim.

Also she just straight ignored you son. So focused on wringing Tim’s neck after upsetting her. But sure man bring up your parents she didn’t want to meet LOL Not once did she acknowledge his conversation. Her only goal getting back at Tim. Leaving Chris just standing there like clueless dope he is.... Such good episode though. Especially for Lucy. This is her 'Uh oh epiphany moment.' about her feelings for Tim. All came to a head when she thought he was getting married. So good.

~~~~

Side notes non-chenford

I love Donovan’s mom bringing Lilah to Nyla. Acknowledging want a douche her son was being. Couldn’t allow them to be apart on Mother’s Day.

Also Patrice spending the day dispensing advice to everyone LOL Loved it. Wish could've included her advice to Lucy but ran out of room.

Thank you for everyone who’s been on. This journey with me. I can’t believe next ep Is the S4 finale. Insane. all of your like, comments and reblogs make my entire day. I love every single one of them. See you all in 4x22 :)

[hufflepotato-18]

it should be illegal to look this good AND upset

[sgtbradfords]

#🫵 #and don't you forget it

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

#We Are So Close To Canon 🤞

[renegadesstuff]

TIM LOOKING AT LUCY WHEN HE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ASHLEY 😍🥹

[chenfordsource]

requested by anonymous

[redpinkwine]

You're looking at two people with the worst sense of humor

[jesuis-assez]

I know we’re all struggling with this endless hiatus and the lack of new content, so I thought it would be fun to resurrect the #chenfordchats that were circling around the fandom earlier this year. (I can’t remember if you were here at the time, but you can search that tag to see what it’s all about… it’s basically just a Q&A.) We previously did a question on favorite Tim Bradford quotes, so this time let’s do Lucy! What are your favorite 3-5 (or more if you want) Lucy Chen quotes from the entire series 😊

I started watching the show in February of this year 🤔 Ok. More like binged. It took me a LONG (I do mean long) time before I decided to watch The Rookie. It was the gif-sets on tumblr, that first had me interested. It seems this is where I do my show shopping 🤣.

Although, I had been following people, who were\are invested in the show, or rather Tim and Lucy. I've been here in spirit since the pilot. I remember seeing gif-sets going that far back. Well into...

Lucy saving Tim on her SECOND SHIFT (not first)

Them sharing a drink together in what could be their final moments on earth

Lucy pranking Tim on her last day as a rookie (There were a few people upset that this meant they'll never bring them together)

The prelude of romantic chenford in 3x14 with Tim undressing Lucy with his eyes in her green dress. All the flirting that happened there.

The almost kiss in 4x01 with them lying awake in separate rooms with thoughts of each other, wanting to give in and go to the other.

Tim pranking Lucy in 4x21 and people uncertain whether they were actually going there with them

Them finally kissing in 4x22 with everyone losing their minds and few people worried that the show might not get picked up for a s5

Their undercover episode in 5x01 and everyone excited to see what will unfold from there.

I had no context. I literally thought these two were like every other cop show, where they were just partners. Partners who had feelings for each other, that they just hadn't realized it yet. I had no idea they were training officer and rookie, then eventually friends\partner\co-workers.

So, I had been lurking for a long time. I already knew everything that had happened with Tim and Lucy. I knew they were together and I thought... Well, now is the time. Kind of a... You don't want to start something, unless it feels right kind of thing? I also didn't want to watch, get invested in them only for them not to be together.

My first gif-set was around the time that Tim and Lucy broke up 🤣 I came along during the chaos of that. I do remember chenfordchats coming back after season 6 wrapped up. I was a part of that briefly.

And I remember favourite quotes between the two of them being a prompt for the Lucy\Tim appreciation event. At the time, I could only think of one quote that really resonated with me from Lucy, which was this one:

Bare with me.. I do not feel very wordy today 🤣 So imma push through that.

Lucy spent the entirety of this episode feeling that she had to prove she was strong enough to be able to testify against Rosalind Dyer. That this is something she had to do. That's always been Lucy. She's always felt like she has something to prove. Either to herself or to others. Feeling that she's not good enough. Or that she'll let others down. Whether that be to her parents (Where this likely stems from), her career, Tim and working undercover. And to see her come to that realisation that this is something that she doesn't need to prove to anyone was such a powerful moment. For her to own that.

Tim's words from 2x12 having had such an impact on her, to have stayed with her all this time. Those words still providing her a sense of comfort and empowerment. To see her step back into her own power, after seeing her touch that tattoo all episode long (something she always does, as sort of a habit. Her way of reminding herself that she can get through this as well. Get through another major ordeal) , a permanent reminder of what she went through. It's like she uses that as a way to draw in some strength needed in the moment. But, also it being a reminder of her being able to turn that truly horrific and traumatic event in her life into something positive.

That she survived that. That tattoo no longer being a representation of her being a 'victim' of this only being something that was done to her, but rather a survivor, who can handle any challenge or battle that comes her way (because she is capable and has proven that many times before)

I dug a little deeper, and managed to come up with at least five more:

That is exactly what Tim needed to hear in that moment and the right thing she could've said, as someone who hasn't been through that. Especially someone who is coming into this from an outsider's perspective. Tim's sister had a completely different experience of abuse to that of what he experienced, despite living in the same household.

I really feel that Genny emotionally invalidated what Tim went through. She completely trivialized his long-term trauma of abuse from their father, because she came out of that differently. She found a way to reconcile with their father and come to terms with everything that happened, so therefore he should as well. Just the lack of empathy and how insensitive she was towards him to force this issue on him. He needed to deal with that in his own way, or at least have the choice (even if it's unhealthy) to not deal with it at all. The audacity she had to show up at his workplace and demand that of him, to unpack all of that trauma for her convenience. I won't delve into this extensively.. Maybe some other time, if I even remember or want to 🤣

But, in a nutshell... Lucy's influence, empathy, careful choice of words and understanding of who Tim is as a person is what allows Tim to see that he and his sister need to be a source of support for each other during this. Y'know... It not being so 'one sided' where it's only about Genny's feelings about their childhood and what she wants, to the point of Tim's feelings being disregarded.

And then there's this scene: ( I'll touch on it a little bit)

I love what Lucy says to Tamara here. This is a scene that really cultivates Lucy's character. Who she is and the kind of cop she is and continues to aspire to be. Her ability to see people for who they really are behind the masks they show everyone else. Her way of being there for others and never giving up on them. Showing Tamara through kindness and empathy, that she has better options and that she is someone she can trust. There is better out there. Lucy was really someone Tamara needed in her life, someone who genuinely wanted to support and help her. She didn't write her off as just some troubled youth, but as someone who was really struggling. A kid in need. In need of family, friendship, support, love, guidance, kindness.. a home. All these things that Lucy would eventually give her and effectively change her life for the better. Ooh .. I teared up a little bit on this one 🤣

Honorable mentions:

+

Thank you for the ask 💖✌ You are a very beautiful writer, may you never lose your love for that and always feel connected to it . [x] Your story here is beautifully written as most of your stories often are. It's the one I instantly thought of, when your writing came to mind. The first story of yours that my mind happily stored away.

The plot for this being so unique and wonderfully crafted to wove together a truly beautiful piece of writing. I hope you feel incredibly proud of your writing, as your newest stories reflect how much dedication and growth that has transpired since then.

[solo-ojo-jojo]

Teaser for upcoming Chenford Fic: Moonlight & Magic

The Rookie Fanfiction | Chenford | Oneshot | Rated G | 4x21 Mother's Day | Chenford Bingo | Truth Spell

Hi, all! I've got a Chenford fic that's been sitting in my drafts since the night 4x21 aired, and I wanted to share part of it. Perhaps if there is enough interest, I'll find the spark of inspiration I need to finish it.

Check out an excerpt below the gif from @chenfordsource, which is right where the story picks up.

(original post here)

“Could you just wait here?” Lucy asked. “I need to go find Lopez and figure out how to go put a curse on someone.”

“Yeah, right,” Chris chuckled before watching her walk away. “Oh, you’re serious.”

Lucy walked hurriedly over to the Detective desks in the bullpen, but didn’t see Angela anywhere in sight. She noticed the computer shut off for the night and dialed her number.

“Angela? Hey, did you already go home for the night?”

“Yeah. But what’s up?”

“Oh, okay.” Lucy was silent for a moment. “It’s not work-related. Is that okay?”

“Of course it is,” Angela answered without missing a beat. “What’s going on?”

“I, uh—I wanted your help putting a curse on Tim.”

Her friend laughed. “Why do you want to put a curse on Tim? What did he do now?”

“He pranked me and I need to get back at him.”

“With a curse? That must have been some prank he pulled. Curses aren’t to be taken lightly, Lucy.”

“I know. And I’m sure about this.”

“Tell you what. Can I call you back after dinner and we can discuss finding the right one for you? Then I can give you the instructions tomorrow. Would that work?”

Lucy had really been hoping for something tonight. To get back at him as soon as possible—while she was still feeling motivated to get back at him—but tomorrow would have to do. She tried to hide her disappointment when she answered. “Yeah. Yeah, of course. Enjoy your dinner. I hope it makes up for the way the rest of your day went.”

“I hope so too.” Angela said, gazing at her husband, who had promised her an evening of pampering. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

Wesley looked over at Angela from his spot behind the steering wheel. “Am I hearing that right? Lucy wants to put a curse on Tim?”

“Yep,” Angela said as she clapped her phone between her hands. She grinned widely. “And I know just the one.”

✨️ 🔮 ✨️

I hope you've enjoyed this teaser! I go back to work on this one every now and then. It's been fully outlined and is probably more than 75% finished, but I've been stuck on a couple of parts. Honestly, I could probably benefit from a beta to help push me across the finish fine. You can message me here or on Discord if you're interested in helping. 😊

[sebastian-queen]

A little one-shot where Tim and Lucy bump into Ashley at Babies-R-Us and it sparks an insecurity in Lucy that he quickly wants to put to rest.

This came to me after watching 4x21 again last week and Ashley's "not wired that way" sparked this little thing.

Enjoy!

[thismagicintheair]

I have feelings and they are currently all about #Chenford

I want to start by saying that I am so thankful and grateful for such an incredible Season 5.  I have to admit I was not here for it from the start.  I am one of those viewers who was scrolling through Tim Tok one day and for whatever reason my FYP ended up with quite a bit of Rookie and Chenford scenes mainly from 5x01 and the apartment scene got me instantly hooked.  I immediately closed the app, googled the show, found that the entire series was on Hulu and dived head first into the greatest binge watch of my life.  Yes I started the show mainly and specifically for #Chenford ( I thought I was going to get them from the start only to find out the romantic aspect of Tim & Lucy didn’t start until Season 5) but stayed because it quickly became such a comfort show.  I sat day after day enjoying and continuing my binge watch of the show to be quickly caught up all the way throughout season 5 so I can become a live viewer for when the show returned after the winter break in January!

Sometimes I wish I was a viewer from the very beginning so I could have been there from the start to watch the natural progression of Tim and Lucy throughout the 5 years/5 seasons instead of bingeing their entirety in 2 months.  I have to give props to all of the OG fans who did that- you knew that #Chenford were coming from miles away and to sit through one of the best slow burns of TV over the course of 5 years deserves all the trophies in the world!

With all of that being said, I am just a viewer like everyone else, so my opinion/ thoughts really hold nothing, but I do want to express them or else they will stay bottled in and I will literally explode.

I have absolutely loved the progression of #Chenford not only in Season 5, but of them throughout the whole series.  I could cover how they evolved season by season, but I mainly want to focus on the ending of Season 4 and all of Season 5.  Alexi/the writers were right in waiting so long to make #Chenford into a romantic relationship.  I truly don’t think it would have been as successful and meaningful if they dove head first into the romantic side of them after hearing thats what the fans wanted.  I think one of the main reasons they have been so successful in the romantic side of the relationship in season 5 is because of everything that they went through seasons 1-4 being friends.  They truly learned everything about each other, the good the bad and the ugly.  

4x21 and 4x22 are the episode that changed it all for them in terms of feelings.  The turning point for Lucy in 4x21 was watching Tim fake propose to Ashley; her reaction wouldn’t have been so visceral if Tim was only a friend.  I think it was evident at that point that he meant much, much more to her.  The turning point for Tim was in 4x22 after their practice kiss.  It was like a bolt of lighting crashing over him watching him realize just how much more Lucy means to him.

Which brings us to Season 5.  Not only did Season 5 give us some of the best storylines and writing but of course if gave us what we all have been waiting for, #Chenford. Season 5 started off with a bang; the writers knew exactly what they were doing coming back from a summer hiatus with 5x01. I think over the course of 5x01 to 5x07 they knew themselves that they had feelings for the other, but I don’t think either of them realized that their feelings were mutual.  Which leads us to one of the best episodes of the entire series, 5x08, “The Collar”. This episode changed the entire course of their relationship.  I am thankful the writers made Chris come on so strong to Lucy with pushing for house hunting because it made Lucy take a step back and made her actually sit and think on her feelings for not only Chris but Tim as well.  Does she feel for Chris what she knows she’s been feeling for Tim for quite some time? No, and the answer is evident throughout the entire episode.  She was dismissive and cold towards Chris where as she was open and honest with Tim and lets not forget to mention that it was all talked about in the shop which was a big no-no for Tim in the start of their friendship. After Tim’s, “Lucy, you deserve someone who is worth the effort” and Lucy’s, “He’s great, he’s just not…” I think it clicked for the both of them with their “Oh” moment.  In that shop after those words were spoken, they just knew.  When they sat down in the precinct parking lot and admitted their feelings to each other (which we all watched 536 times) was a long time coming. I also think the events of the day helped push them too that conversation, not truly living and being honest with themselves until they are honest with each other.  Who would’ve thought the Tim we watched in Season 1 would be the same Tim we just watched take a big, deep breathe and ask Lucy out to dinner.  It was all in, now or nothing.  Lucy’s quick ‘yes’ followed by immediate hesitation in no way reflects her feelings for Tim.  It’s literally her wanting to be a decent human and wanted to do things the right way and break things off with Chris so she can go into a proper relationship with Tim the right way. All I can think about is each of their smiles as I am typing this up!!!

Fast forward to after the break with the back half of Season 5 and we get all of #Chenford’s first: first date, first kisses, first time all within a 3 span episode and they were some of the best episodes we could have gotten.  But then the momentum shifts between them and it is noticeable it is a shift that was necessary.  Being an avid Twitter user, especially on #TheRookie Twitter, it was talked about; a lot.  “Why aren’t we getting more #Chenford kisses?”, “Why do Tim and Lucy barely hold hands?”, “Why aren’t they in every scene of every new episode?” only a few of hundreds of other tweets made about the progression of Tim & Lucy’s relationship. The main issue for a lot of fans being why we don’t get to see on screen between Tim & Lucy what we saw on screen between Lucy and Nolan.  The relationship between John and Lucy was never meant to last, so they did with that as they pleased.  Tim & Lucy are meant to last. As much as we LOVE having relationship #Chenford on our screen, I think a lot of the fans have forgotten that this isn’t the “Tim and Lucy show”.  To its core, it is about John Nolan, yes it did veer away from him being the main focus in later seasons but there are more characters to see and storylines to tell than that only of Tim and Lucy.  

What we saw of #Chenford in Season 5B was that of a real relationship.  We watched them at work, we watched them off- duty, we watched them with Tamara and with their co-workers.  We watched them be in a romantic relationship.  I personally couldn’t have asked for anything more.  I would take the conversations that they had between each other over a kiss any day.  We have never seen Tim be so open and vulnerable with anyone in this show, ever.  But here is is telling Lucy that if he looses her, his pain and everything that he went through (assuming with Isabel) will all be for nothing (screams internally)!!!!!!!!!!!  Give me the raw, the deep, the vulnerability, the openness!!! Just like in any relationship in the real world, it won’t work if there is no communication.  Why have #Chenford worked so well romantically, because every next big step they take, there is open communication continually between them.  At the end of the day, we have no control over what has happened with the story progression of Tim and Lucy and we still won’t have any control over it for Season 6.  The only thing that we can have is gratefulness.  We could still be in the pining era of #Chenford, as great as that was I will gladly take full blown relationship era of them every chance that I get.

With a brand new renewed Season 6, I can’t wait to see what S6 will have in store for not only every character but of course for #Chenford.  It will be the first season where we will start with Tim & Lucy being in an already established, loving relationship.  That’s not to say the entirety of S6 should only be rainbows and butterflies between them because that would be 100% unrealistic.  I fully expect for more ups and downs, or in better terms: angst, to come our way regarding our favorite on screen couple, but I don’t think anything will be the breaking point for them.  But I also do think that our expectations of what we want to see on our screens wont be high either as the newness of #Chenford won’t be the main focus anymore, nor should it be.  And I say that in the best way possible. Who knows how Season 6 will start, or even when it will start (Support Our Writers!!), but I will be seated happily waiting for it! In the meantime, a summer re-watch of #TheRookie will commence while also reading some of the best fan-fiction ever written!

The Rookie has easily become one of my favorite shows with Tim and Lucy being one of the best on screen relationships I have ever watched.  I truly am so thankful for Tik Tok which brought me into one of the best, most welcoming fandoms I have ever been a part of!

[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

[theflyindutchwoman]

Have you done Anatomy of a Scene for ep 4x21 yet? Apologies if you had. I’m referring to this specific scene while in the shop, and Tim and Lucy where discussing Tim’s vacation plan with Ashley and how vacationing in Hawaii may send off the wrong message. But Specifically the part when Lucy asked Tim “can you see yourself married to her?”

I feel like, this is one of very crucial moment that gets overlooked. In my mind I saw Tim trying to picture who he sees at the end of the aisle, which was Lucy. And this took him by surprise, shown by the way his eyes widen slightly, as if by surprised and the hesitation in his answer. And of course Lucy was quite bummed out when he said yes, even thought it was definitely untrue.

Personally I see this moment as a major turning point, aside from DOD episode. In the DOD episode it’s a turning point in which Tim realizes that he cares about Lucy, maybe more than the typical TO/ rookie dynamic and that he is unwilling to not have her in his life. But the 4x12 scene , that simple question, kinda brings to light the romantic feelings that has been brewing and simmering underneath that Tim may have not realized before either.

No, I haven't done one yet! I did touch on it briefly in this ask, if you want to read it (it's the first part), but it was more about Tim's feelings for Ashley.

This is a very interesting take! Though I'm not sure I can believe that Tim was thinking of Lucy in that specific moment… The way I see it, this was more about Lucy figuring out her feelings for Tim than the other way around… That's why the camera zoomed in on her reaction after he answered her question or when he fake-proposed. The focus was on her and how crushed she was. And for me, this is supported by Tim's own reaction after their practice kiss in the next episode, when he was in the hallway, completely bamboozled. This was the face of a man who finally had an epiphany. But if he could see himself marrying Lucy before that kiss, then there was no reason for him to have such a strong reaction since he would have already been in touch with his feelings for her, you know what I mean? I also doubt he would have been able to joke about proposing to Ashley if he had this picture of Lucy in mind. Look at how he behaved in the parking lot the morning after their kiss… That seems more consistent with someone who was finally aware of his feelings for his partner and consequently, no longer knew how to act around her at first. By comparison, when he said he could see himself marrying Ashley, there was no drastic change in his demeanor. His world view shifted in 4.22.

So I guess this might be why this moment gets overlooked or overshadowed… Because his response in the shop is open to interpretation. It's not as clear cut as the one he has in the hallway after their kiss. I interpret his reaction in 4.21 more as him finally considering the possibility of proposing to Ashley. He had been dodging the question since Lucy brought it up, and this time, he was actually turning it over in his mind.

That said, this is only my interpretation and is no more valid than yours. I think that whole scene you're referring to was left ambiguous on purpose since Tim himself was struggling to make sense of his own feelings. I'm currently rewatching season 4 so I'll keep this in mind when I get to this episode.

[liaromancewriter]

Chenford + trapped in a closet (pre-canon)

Thanks for the request. I hope you enjoy it!

Trapped

Premise: Lucy is determined to discover what happened to Tim and Ashley’s vacation. Set between 4x21 and 4x22.

Fandom: The Rookie Ship: Tim Bradford x Lucy Chen Rating: Teen Words: 1,320

A/N: For @chenfordsource Chenford Week Day 3, Missing moment.

Officer Lucy Chen knew when Sergeant Tim Bradford was annoyed, but that made teasing him all the more fun. After putting up with his near-daily Tim Tests during her rookie year, she still had three hundred and fifty reasons (by last count) to get back at him.

Three hundred and fifty-one, she corrected, remembering the fake engagement prank he’d pulled on her the other night.

Read on AO3

@thesassywitchofthenortheast

[livelovecaliforniadreams]

4x21 | 6x2

[renegadesstuff]

FAVORITE PARALLEL 🥹❤️