The Rookie Showrunner Previews Tim's Season 7 Story Arc, Including New Chenford Developments

The Rookie showrunner Alexi Hawley has previewed Tim Bradford’s (Eric Winter) season 7 story arc, including hints about new Chenford developments going forward. During The Rookie season 6 finale, Tim and Lucy (Melissa O’Neil) still hadn’t rekindled their relationship, having previously broken up with one another in season 6, episode 6. He was also fired from his job on the LAPD’s Metro Unit last season, having returned to the core Mid-Wiltshire division in the process. He also decides to see detained psychiatrist Dr. Blair London (Danielle Campbell) about his issues, setting the stage for his forthcoming storyline.

Speaking with TVLine, Hawley teased that Tim will be spending time in The Rookie season 7 trying to better himself mentally, such as going to a veteran’s support group. The showrunner indicated his decision to break up with Lucy will come into play, with their potential future together also being considered. While they weren’t together by the end of season 6, he teases some potential repairs being made to their relationship. Check out what Hawley had to say below:

He does, he does. We’ll definitely see a bit of that this season. At some point we have a scene where he’s at a veterans support group, so he’s still trying to do the work on himself. And look, the good news is that he understands what he did wrong. But in terms of the why, that is still something he’s trying to figure out, and sort of punishing himself for his own failures. The worst thing he could possibly think to do to himself was to break up with Lucy, and he’s going to figure that fully out, and then also deal with the repercussions of that. But you know, we really wanted to come into this season with positivity about Tim and Lucy. Obviously they did do a lot of work, Tim especially, at the end of last season. It did feel like they were coming back together in a way that was at least positive, so it was important to roll into this season going, “OK, we’re onto the next chapter — what does that look like?”

The ship name “Chenford” for Tim and Lucy comes from their last names, Bradford and Chen, being combined.

What Hawley’s Statement Means For Tim & Lucy In The Rookie Season 7

Chenford Could Make A Comeback In Future Episodes

The Rookie season 7 has plenty of moving parts to it, including such as Jason (Steve Kazee) returning and Aaron Thorsen (Tru Valentino) not coming back. But Tim’s journey of self-reflection and getting the help he needs will also be important, since the struggles he’s been facing alone were a key factor in his breakup with Lucy. The pair’s constant interactions with one another show just how well they get along, with their story acting as a key factor to the series and how well the superior officer has been able to temper his emotions.

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What’s unclear, however, is how fast he’ll be trying to heal, since his attendance at the veteran’s group could require some time for him to adjust. But, if he’s able to swallow his pride and confide in other characters in The Rookie, including Lucy, he might be able to get to the root cause of his issues, aiding in his process. It could also mean the return of Chenford sooner rather than later, something Hawley’s statement hints at being possible. If they do get back together, though, it may require more work from Tim before their relationship can stabilize again.

Our Take On Tim’s Story Arc In The Rookie Season 7

Some Big Character Shifts Are On The Horizon

Eric Winter as Tim Bradford and Melissa O'Neil as Lucy Chen in The Rookie.
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

Although there’s no telling what Tim’s journey will result in, the closeness he’s had with Lucy for all these years signals their relationship is likely going to continue once he’s gotten the help he needs. Although The Rookie has many other storylines that could take center stage in season 7, his personal character arc seems like it will be maintained throughout the new episodes. Whether it’s a quick evolution or a slow burn, it will be an important process for his future, possibly one with his former partner in it.

The Rookie season 7 premieres Tuesday, January 7 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Source: TVLine