The following contains spoilers from The Rookie Season 5, Episode 14, "Death Sentence," which debuted Tuesday, Jan. 31 on ABC.
The Rookie settles into Chenford's relationship during "Death Sentence," which makes Lucy's roommate Tamara Colins wonder if she needs to prepare for more instability after enduring years of it. It shouldn't be a surprise that The Rookie takes a step back from Lucy and Tim's relationship to examine how it will impact Tamara. Lucy and Tamara's dynamic has been important since they met in Season 3. So "Death Sentence" doesn't belittle their seasons-long connection but reinforces it as a part of Chenford's future.
Lucy and Tamara have been constants for each other since Tamara's introduction during Season 3, Episode 2, "In Justice." They met at a critical time for both women; Tamara was homeless and Lucy was recovering from nearly dying at the hands of one of Rosalind Dyer's accomplices. Gradually, they became each other's family -- a sentiment Lucy asserted in Season 3, Episode 11, "New Blood." The Rookie's "Death Sentence" revisits the importance of their relationship during yet another pivotal time in their lives.
The Rookie Reinforces Tamara and Lucy’s Relationship
"Death Sentence" includes smaller Chenford scenes, like the continuation of their romantic prank war. After The Rookie has gone through bigger moments in their relationship -- including Tim accepting a new job to remove himself from Lucy's chain of command -- the more minor developements are just as endearing. For instance, Tim's presence at Lucy and Tamara's apartment is as casual as the reveal that he has a key. That makes it reasonable for Tamara's worries to arise as she tries to figure out where she fits in.
The Rookie smartly reframes the narrative to focus on Lucy and Tamara rather than Lucy and Tim. Chenford may face more hurdles later in the season, but this obstacle is for Lucy and Tamara to confront together. After all, Tamara has seen the romantic turn in Chenford since their first kiss -- which she accidentally interrupted. And in Season 5, Episode 12, "Death Notice," Tamara encouraged Lucy to take the leap with Tim. Tamara Colins has always been a champion of Chenford, and that hasn't changed.
But The Rookie takes a necessary beat to reinforce that Lucy and Tamara's relationship predates Chenford's romantic one. Lucy has notably and repeatedly shown up for Tamara. Lucy signed over her beloved car to Tamara so she had at least one safe place to stay before she moved into Jackson West's room after his death. It's heartening to see the two characters heal together through their familial dynamic and the shared space they curate. Nevertheless, it matters that Lucy explicitly tells Tamara she's not going anywhere in the most important scene from "Death Sentence."
The Rookie Confirms Chenford's Future Will Include Tamara
During that conversation, Tamara informs Lucy that she will move out one day because she doesn't "plan to be the weirdo roommate when" Chenford's family grows. Like on their unconventional yet fitting first date, Lucy gleefully accepts a future with Tim that includes children (and grandchildren) -- but she also wholeheartedly accepts Tamara's role in it. Lucy doesn't entertain the idea that Tamara could be a burden. Instead, Lucy tells Tamara, "That's a long way off. But I don't know. Maybe it could work out. I heard you're a really good babysitter."
Their history indicates that Lucy wants to stay in Tamara's life and that dialogue affirms it. Tim's actions reveal that he feels the same way. He invites Tamara to watch Time After Time with him and Lucy and even encourages Tamara when she excuses herself. In the Season 4 finale "Day in the Hole," Tim had Tamara's new car looked at by a professional just to be safe. While he said he did so for Lucy, it was evidence that Tim cares about Tamara, too. Consequently, "Death Sentence" could have included Tim in these conversations. However, it's better that the episode didn't.
There's time forfuture heart-to-hearts between Tim and Tamara as Chenford takes their partnership to the next level. For now, it's more important and relevant that Lucy assures Tamara they are on solid ground. It's attentive of The Rookie to pay such careful attention to Lucy and Tamara's dynamic, paying off two-plus seasons of development and trust. And while it's rewarding that Tamara sees a future for Tim and Lucy, it matters more that Lucy sees a future for all three of them.
The Rookie returns with new episodes Feb. 14 at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.