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when do tim and lucy start dating

Tim and Lucy (Chenford) from The Rookie officially kick off their romance after seasons of buildup. Fans call it one of TV's best slow-burn stories, blending intense cop drama with heartfelt tension.

Relationship Timeline

Their journey starts in Season 1 as training officer Tim Bradford and rookie Lucy Chen, evolving through trust-building moments like Tim turning down a promotion to finish her training. Key sparks fly in Season 4 with undercover ops where they pose as a couple ("Dim and Juicy"), practicing kisses that hint at real chemistry. By Season 5, Episode 9 , Tim asks Lucy out post- breakups—she ends things with Chris Sanford, he splits from Ashley—marking their first official date (interrupted by work, naturally).

  • First real kiss : Season 4, Episode 22 (undercover practice turns romantic).
  • Confession of feelings : Season 5's "The Collar," where Lucy acts on her emotions.
  • "I love you" milestone : The 100th episode (Season 6), amid a lie detector test resolving fights.
  • Official dating start : Widely pegged as late Season 5 into Season 6, after the ask-out.

Breakup and Beyond

Bliss hits a snag in Season 6, Episode 6 , when Tim breaks up with Lucy, haunted by his past (echoing his Isabel trauma) and feeling unworthy. This heartbreak reshapes their dynamic through Seasons 6-7, with fans debating reconciliation in forums—some speculate Season 7 teases a reunion. Reddit threads buzz about Tim falling first (maybe Season 4's double date jealousy) and exact dating length (roughly 6-12 in-show months).

"Tim broke her heart completely... but Chenford's story defines recent seasons." – Fan recap vibe

Fan Takes and Trends

  • Viewpoint 1 (Optimists) : Undercover kisses prove destiny; expect a Season 7 comeback.
  • Viewpoint 2 (Realists) : Tim's self-sabotage adds grit—therapy first, then maybe HEA.
  • Trending now : YouTube montages rack up views, with "Their Full Story" clips from Seasons 4-7 going viral.

As of February 2026, no confirmed post-Season 7 updates, but The Rookie thrives on these twists.

TL;DR : Tim and Lucy start dating around Season 5, Episode 9, after first- kiss tension in Season 4—pure cop-romance gold.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.