Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from The Rookie season 7, episode 14, "Mad About Murder."

While a promising start in The Rookie season 7. Now, though, their path to getting back together has steered off course.

The Rookie is officially returning for season 8, which is set to debut during the 2025–2026 network TV season on ABC.

The Rookie season 6 after he faced some of his past demons. Since then, the two have been skirting around their feelings, but have managed a stable work relationship. Everyone (including the characters and the audience) knows it's only a matter of time before Tim and Lucy get back together, though. Based on how season 7 is playing out, the couple will likely rekindle their romance by the finale, but Tim and Lucy still have a lot of work to do before the show can earn their reunion and make it believable.

The Rookie Season 7 Is Ignoring The Real Reason Why Tim & Lucy Broke Up

Tim Left Lucy Because He Didn't Feel Good Enough For Her

Tim and Lucy fell back into bed together a couple of times in The Rookie season 7, just to never discuss the state of their relationship. Honestly, this is pretty on-brand for them, though, given that miscommunication has always been one of their more prominent problems. Still, it's frustrating to see the show trying to rebuild Tim and Lucy's relationship without them thoroughly discussing the real reason why they separated in the first place.

Tim broke up with Lucy because he didn't feel good enough to be with her. So, ironically, he was trying to protect the person he loved the most by hurting her and punishing himself. This wasn't the right call, of course, but it opened the door for Tim to undergo some much-needed character development.

Tim and Lucy must have a real, honest, and in-depth conversation about why they broke up before they can resume their relationship in The Rookie season 7.

He started attending therapy toward The Rookie season 6, and season 7 briefly showed him at a group therapy session. Unfortunately, that's the extent to which the ABC series has developed Tim's mental health journey. Now, we're just supposed to believe that Tim has worked on himself and thinks he has become the man Lucy deserves. However, it's difficult to fully acknowledge that as true when The Rookie hasn't even done so itself.

Tim & Lucy's Relationship Cannot Work Unless They Properly Deal With The Reason For Their Split

Tim's Rank Isn't The Main Problem

Even though Tim's struggle with his mental health was the biggest contributor to his and Lucy's breakup, The Rookie season 7 sneakily implies that the two characters' difference in rank is what's keeping them apart. Lucy plans on taking the sergeant's exam, which will solve that problem. While this is an exciting development in Lucy's career and clears one of The Rookie, it isn't the main reason they're apart, despite episode 14 making it seem like it is.

Angela asks Tim what the deal is between him and Lucy in The Rookie season 7, episode 14. He mentions that Lucy is taking the sergeant's exam, opening the door for their reunion. However, the writers need to put much more work into rebuilding Tim and Lucy's relationship aside from their rank issue before they can rekindle their romance.

How The Rookie Can Ensure That Tim & Lucy's Reunion Will Be Worth The Wait

The Couple Must Discuss Their Real Issues

Tim and Lucy must have a real, honest, and in-depth conversation about why they broke up before they can resume their relationship in The Rookie season 7. For some reason, many TV shows are scared of constructing scenes featuring two characters talking to one another, for fear that the audience will be bored. However, some of TV's best moments can come from simple moments such as these. It's also what Tim and Lucy desperately need before The Rookie can earn their reunion.

It would also be wonderful if the series could incorporate more of Tim attending therapy. However, only four episodes remain in season 7, giving Tim little time to showcase how he has improved since season 6. So, we'll have to settle for the aforementioned discussion between Tim and Lucy, which would hopefully ensure that their slow-burn reunion in The Rookie season 7 is worth the wait.