Rookie Showrunner Explains Why Lucy Scored Low on the Detective’s Exam

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Rookie season 7 premiere. The highly anticipated season 7 of The Rookie kicked off with its premiere episode titled “The Shot,”which aired on January 7 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. This marks the first new episode since the show, fronted by Nathan Fillion, went on hiatus in May, joining other mid-season additions like Will Trent and Shifting Gears.

In this opening hour, we witness Captain Grey promoting Lucy Chen (played by Melissa O’Neil) to P3, assigning her to train a rookie alongside Tim and Nolan. This development initiates a significant turning point for Lucy’s character as the season unfolds.

Lucy’s New Role and Career Path Exploration

During an insightful interview with ScreenRant, showrunner Alexi Hawley discussed Lucy’s evolving journey in season 7. Historically, Lucy has harbored aspirations of becoming an undercover officer, yet her ambitions were temporarily derailed due to her low scores on the detective’s exam. Hawley suggests that Lucy’s new role as a training officer is a deliberate choice, influenced by her experiences, particularly her involvement in a five-player trade that benefited Tim’s career. The upcoming episodes will delve deeper into Lucy’s quest for agency and professional growth. Hawley elaborates:

ScreenRant: Lucy has always wanted to be an undercover officer, but scored low on the detective’s exam. Now that she has this temporary training officer opportunity, could she stumble down a different path?

Alexi Hawley: She could. We’re definitely exploring that this season. It was important in the fallout of Tim sort of blowing up their relationship that Lucy come out of it with a renewed sense of agency, of not being a victim, of ultimately needing to make her career a priority.

Part of the reason that she scored so low on the detective’s exam, which she passed, but she’s just so far down the list that there’s not going to be a spot that opens up, is because she put herself out there and put together this five-player trade to get Tim a better job. And so I think there’s definitely a sense of her going, “I’ve got to look out for myself here. I’ve got to make myself a priority,”which I think is super positive for her.

The Reason Behind Lucy’s Five-Player Trade in Season 5

Tim Gives Up His Sergeant Role for Love

As Tim and Lucy’s romantic relationship blossoms in season 5, Tim realizes that maintaining professionalism as Lucy’s sergeant is unfeasible. He decides to give up his sergeant role, transitioning to desk duty so they can work at the same station. Tim’s love for patrol makes this sacrifice significant. This decision illustrates Tim’s commitment to their relationship, emphasizing how deeply he values Lucy.

Recognizing Tim’s dissatisfaction with his new position, Lucy takes the initiative to orchestrate a five-player trade to advance Tim’s career within the LAPD’s Metropolitan Division. Although Nyla cautions her about the potential repercussions of manipulating the system, Lucy’s plan successfully secures Tim a position with Metro. Nevertheless, her actions come with consequences, as Lucy finds herself hindered during her detective examination.

Lucy’s performance sees her ranking seventeenth out of twenty in the third episode of season 6, titled “Trouble in Paradise.”

Should Lucy Consider a New Career Path in Season 7?

The Challenges of Undercover Work

Lucy’s desire to become an undercover officer first emerges in season 3. Her proven abilities position her as a leading officer in numerous cases, which solidifies her reputation at Mid-Wilshire after she graduates from UC school. However, the series consistently highlights that the life of an undercover officer can be detrimental to sustaining healthy personal relationships.

Undercover assignments often necessitate long periods of isolation, making it difficult to maintain contact with loved ones. This isolation undoubtedly challenges the emotional well-being of both the officer and their family members. Given Lucy’s appreciation for interpersonal connections and her desire to foster significant relationships, she may find more satisfaction in a role where she can mentor and support others without sacrificing her personal connections.

The Rookie season 7 continues to air every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Source & Images