The Rookie Season 8 FAQs: Lucy and Tim, Plus Monica’s Comeback

The Rookie finale saw the return of two formidable villains, and Tim Bradford finally expressed his feelings for Lucy Chen — yet the episode left us with more questions than answers.

In the season 7 finale on Tuesday, May 13, Oscar Hutchinson (Matthew Glave) made a dramatic comeback after escaping prison during the season 6 finale with the assistance of corrupt lawyer Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan).

Oscar went on to murder two of his former partners and kidnap Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) while searching for a buried treasure in Barstow, California. The confrontation between Nolan and Oscar in the desert ended with Oscar’s escape but Nolan managed to take the stolen diamonds back.

“This isn’t the last we’ll see of him,” showrunner Alexi Hawley told Us Weekly, confirming both he and Monica will return for season 8.

Monica, in a surprising twist, staged her comeback at the episode’s end, disclosing that she had secured an immunity deal with the FBI for the data she pilfered earlier this season.

However, the finale wasn’t solely villain-focused. Tim (Eric Winter) again declared his love for Lucy (Melissa O’Neil) and proposed that she move in with him. Unfortunately, Lucy was fast asleep due to her new night shift schedule when he laid his heart on the line.

“It felt organic,” Hawley hinted about the romantic moment gone awry, adding that as they prepare for season 8, the writers aim to keep things unpredictable.

Continue reading for answers to the most pressing questions ahead of season 8:

How Long Will Lucy Work the Night Shift?

“We needed to introduce a twist for her passing the sergeant’s exam. We couldn’t just leave it at that,” said Hawley about Lucy’s new role in the LAPD, suggesting, “I don’t think this will be a long-term obstacle. The night shift’s challenge was entertaining in the finale, but we probably won’t linger there for too long.”

Will Tim Ask Lucy to Move in a Second Time?

“We’ve been working towards them reuniting all season long,” the showrunner assured Us. “They’re navigating the hazards of his past mistakes and her journey of forgiveness.”

Hawley explained that Tim’s gesture of cooking for Lucy after her overnight shift, followed by his proposal to take the next step in their relationship, symbolizes his “strong desire to reconnect.”

He noted that “solidifying that conversation at the beginning of season 8 and determining the appropriate next step” for the couple will likely be addressed in the season 8 premiere.

Are Tim and Lucy Endgame?

Hawley remained coy about when Tim and Lucy will fully reunite but hinted that a reunion is closer than expected. “Whatever ‘endgame’ means, I think we’re certainly moving in that direction,” he stated, emphasizing the writers have no intention of putting the pair through “trauma” again.

“We’ve had one opportunity to correct our mistake, and we’ll see what transpires,” he added, admitting, “There still has to be drama.”

Will Oscar Be Out for Revenge in Season 8?

Oscar attempted to kill Nolan in the finale, but Detective Nyla Harper (Mekia Cox) intervened, enabling Nolan to foil Oscar’s plans for the missing jewels. “Oscar is always focused on self-interest,” Hawley revealed, noting that unlike some villains, he’s not driven by revenge.

While Oscar will return, Hawley acknowledged the writers recognize they “can’t continue recycling his escape story” and will be working on his “end game” soon.

Why Is Monica Back — And What Are Her Plans?

Hawley admitted part of Monica’s return is to “create more drama” within the LAPD. “It’s infuriating for our characters who are desperate to imprison her, especially since she has escaped the repercussions, so to speak,” he explained.

He revealed that there would be further developments regarding her immunity deal that would propel her story in season 8. However, like Oscar, Monica will eventually have to exit the show. “I don’t think we can keep returning to Monica or Oscar indefinitely,” Hawley conceded.

Are Nolan and Bailey Done with the Idea of Having Kids?

During season 7, Nolan and his wife, Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan), began the adoption process but learned their jobs posed too many dangers, making them unsuitable candidates. According to Hawley, that “door is closed” for now.

“I don’t have any further storylines in mind for that,” he said. “While they’ve encountered relatable challenges trying for a biological child and through the adoption process, I believe we’ve reached a natural conclusion for now.”

Will Celina and Rodge’s Relationship Last?

Officer Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez) began a new romance with musician Rodge Bronson (Zander Hawley) during season 7, and in the finale, Rodge mentioned he received a gig overseas. However, the distance may not derail their relationship.

“They’re both young, and I’m not sure we need to label everything,” Hawley told Us. “Their relationship is fun and realistic for young couples experiencing coming and going romances.”

He admitted he’s “not entirely certain where their story leads” but envisioned them as “young” and “living in the moment.”

How Will Rookie Miles Develop Next Season?

After ending his engagement in season 7, rookie Miles Penn (Deric Augustine) narrowly escaped death on his first date from an online dating service. While he claimed to be taking a break from dating, Hawley told Us that there’s much more to explore with the character next season.

“His rookie year is ongoing, obviously. It’s a 13-month program, and the timeline of the show doesn’t align with real-time for every season,” Hawley noted, adding, “We’ll continue to explore his rookie journey for a while longer.”

As he progresses in his training, Hawley shared fans will witness him strive to “overcome” the “hurdle” of living in his car and exploring “his identity in Los Angeles.”

The Rookie is available for streaming on Hulu or Disney+.