Chenford and triples rule

[northern-neighbor]

COLD OPENS

Not only is Tim the Captain of the Chenford ship, he's earned a new title: The King of Cold Opens. Hands down, no contest.

There have been some memorable, funny ones on The Rookie, but Bradford has three of the best.

2x07 A car chase down his street rudely interrupts Tim while he's glued to the Rams game. He calls in overtime, gets into his truck and stops the incident in progress. Then calmly pulls back into his driveway and continues with the game. We get a glimpse of off-duty Bradford losing his mind after an Eric Weddle interception. Be careful, Timmy. Your humanity is showing!

7x03 Bradford arrives at Nolan's house to test the new high-tech security system in exchange for Lakers tickets. John is all smug and confident as he settles in for a sofa nap, but is awakened by the sound of Bradford casually cracking open a beer. Our Tim really does know how to think like a criminal! And the sweet sight of him leaning against the trellis post is forever seared into my memory.

8x14 Most recently, Bradford was so excited to demonstrate his new toy, the Super Shop, to his colleagues. Honestly, he was just like a kid on Christmas morning! The system backfired on him, though, when the monitors veered into personal photos that he never intended for anyone to see. All those years of honing his tough, grumpy image shot to hell in a heartbeat.

And now we can look forward to Season 9 for more Bradford gems. Can't wait!

CHENFORD RULES!

PS I'm convinced the new promo shots of Tim with his mom show her delighted reaction to his news that he's planning to propose to Lucy. I don't do speculation as a rule, but hot damn! It sure would fit in with S8's last few episodes.

[northern-neighbor]

TIM'S CAREER OPTIONS

If this whole LAPD thing doesn't work out, Bradford has a bright future in break-and-enter, heehee.

That was one of the best cold opens since Tim watching the Rams and being interrupted by a police chase back in season 2.

Nolan was so damn smug about his security system, and then we see Bradford casually cracking open a beer, having overcome all the high-tech nonsense. The man really does know how to think like a criminal. That's Our Timothy!

Honestly, what's not to love?

CHENFORD RULES!

[northern-neighbor]

TIM BRADFORD'S GREATEST HITS

We've all grumbled about The Rookie's writers, but to be fair, they have come up with some lines that are gems. Lucky for us, most of those lines have gone to Eric, to be delivered so memorably in Tim's rumbling baritone. Here are a few of my favorites:

"What's a BTS?" 2x11. Poor Tim, he just doesn't have a clue about pop culture and couldn't care less.

"Too well." 2x11. Gazing at Lucy with a tenderness we never knew he had inside.

"Whoa." 3x10. The ultimate compliment from a real guy. Tim getting his first glimpse of Angela in her stunning wedding dress. Why use ten words when one will do?

"Looking good, Officer Chen. Looking good." 3x10. Borderline lust in that voice, Officer Bradford!

"Oh good, we're starting small." 3x11. After being presented with the wedding to-do list, beginning with where to hold the ceremony.

"What? I don't only watch sports." 4x04. With mild indignation at Lucy's surprised look after his Dr. Who reference.

"If you get dispatched to a loud party, make sure they know you're not the stripper." 4x05. To the absolute delight of everyone at roll call.

"I'm down to do whatever you want." 4x07. Tim's seductive UC hitman to his target, just before he arrests her. (Gee, did it get warm in here all of a sudden?)

"I'm who I am in spite of you" and "Goodbye, Dad. I hope it hurts." 4x09. Tim's final FU to his father. So proud of him for not letting Tom off the hook!

"The Tim Tests? They don't make me like him." 4x09. And his walls came crashing down.

" " 4x22. Hallway Tim post-kiss. Zero dialogue spoke volumes.

There are so many more, but I didn't want any of you yelling at me for putting up a long post. But y'know what? It's Tim Bradford and I don't care!

Today is July 21, 2022. There are 66 more sleeps until S5.

[northern-neighbor]

MAGIC MOMENTS

We've been treated to some intense Chenford scenes over the past 4 seasons, each of them profoundly affecting. Which one moved you the most?

DAY OF DEATH

Tim's raw desperation was on full display, both during the search for Lucy and his frantic digging through the dirt to reach her. He brought her back to life and couldn't have held her closer if he tried. Then we saw his tender side in the hospital for maybe the first time. There was nowhere else he'd rather be, and thoughts of Rachel were nonexistent.

THE GRIEF HUG

After Jackson's murder, Tim realized that Lucy needed him to be close. Their hug at his house cracked open the door for both of them, and the UST was palpable afterwards. Then the phone jolted them back to reality. The timing just wasn't right and duty called.

HOSPICE HUG

Tim's exchange with his dad left him open and vulnerable. This was when his protective walls truly crumbled and Lucy's kindness and softness gave him the comfort he didn't even know he craved. The scene was so damn REAL and an unbreakable connection was forged between them.

PRACTICE KISS

The nerves were jangling, the heat was undeniable, and who knows where it might have gone if Tamara hadn't come home. We must remember that this kiss did not evolve naturally, it was practice. But it gave us a small taste of what might be ahead in the future (maybe in the parking garage!). Our fingers are crossed.

HALLWAY TIM

Stunned. Dazed. Confused. WTF just happened? Sweet! Can we do it again? Eric's face conveyed all of that in 5 exquisite seconds. Ashley who?

OK gang, I know it's a little like asking a parent to choose a favorite child, but which of these scenes really punched your button? I'm not mean, you're allowed to pick more than one!

P.S. I vote for DoD, Hospice Hug and Hallway Tim.