Everyone’s favorite crime series is back with a new season. As always, the writers of The Rookie prove their knack for drama as they reintroduced Rachell Hall at a pivotal moment in season 7.
To jolt your memory, she is Lucy Chen’s college friend who dated Tim Bradford back in season 2. Now, the buzz has been rising about how her return will impact the beloved “Chenford” whom the fans have been rooting for, for the past two seasons. The curiosity that dangles the mind is will the spark rekindle or will Rachel serve as a catalyst for Tim and Lucy to confront their unresolved feelings?
Revisiting Tim and Rachel's relationship in The Rookie
Rachel Hall, a guest character played by Jasmine Mathews, appeared in the season 2 episode “The Bet.” It was Chen who introduced her to Bradford as a bet, and later on, we see an unexpected romantic spark between the two. Back then, Bradford was Chen’s training officer, and though there might have been roots for them getting together, the writers soon dismissed the theories by introducing Rachel.
The character kept appearing seldomly throughout the season, and as fans, we were introduced to a softer side of Tim as opposed to his stoic demeanor. Fans started cheering for the development of Tim’s character and rooted to see more of Tim and Rachel, but unfortunately, the plot had other turns.
Rachel, in episode 18 of season 2, reveals that she had accepted her dream job in New York City, and in response, Tim chose to remain in L.A. This seemed like an end to their relationship, but in the season finale, as Tim drove Rachel to the airport, they decided to remain a couple, a sigh of relief for the fans. Later on, Rachel’s character just fades away, and the couple ends without any reason.
The impact of Rachel's return on Tim
Rachel is back, but why now? Since they ended, Tim’s character has undergone significant growth. We see Tim and Lucy becoming a thing that we all love, and subsequently, he opens up emotionally, and the fans can connect with his character on a deeper and personal level. But sadly, Chenford split at the end of season 6. This was saddening to watch, but still, the bond between the two wasn’t ruptured.
Rachel’s reappearance seems like a constant factor in the current season. She is temporarily staying with Lucy and Celina, as she lost her job and is starting all over again. This evidences her continuous role in the upcoming episodes, and it is more likely that the trio will keep meeting up. This presents an opportunity for Tim to reflect on his decisions, shed light on his emotional journey, and determine what he truly seeks moving forward.
Potential implications for Chenford in The Rookie season 7
For all those fans who are invested in Chenford, Rachel’s return might be a good or a bad thing for the couple. This complex layer that she brings might bridge the gap between Chen and Bradford and complicate their relationship further. We all saw how badly Lucy Chen was affected by the breakup, and this might just aid her insecurity. She might just bottle up her pain of losing Tim and distance herself. The bond we currently see between Chenford might end in a bad manner.
Alternatively, Rachel could become the catalyst for Tim and Lucy's chance to gain clarity. For Lucy, it could provide her with a perspective of Tim’s feelings, and for Tim, it might become a reason to try and get back with Lucy and to place trust in their strong bond.
Looking ahead
With Rachel’s return, The Rookie adds a fresh dynamic to the relationship. This might provide the opportunity to dive deeper into the backstories and explore the unresolved emotions that we witnessed in season 6. Her return will surely keep the viewers engaged throughout the season, as we are all eager to find out the unexpected turn of events leading up to Chenford's chemistry.
As the narrative unfolds, the fans will get to know whether romance is rekindled, or newfound closures take place. Only time will tell. But one thing for sure is that we are all rooting for Chenford, and it is certain that The Rookie knows how to masterfully blend personal relationships with compelling crime storytelling.
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