Why Lucy Scored So Low On The Detective's Exam, Explained By The Rookie Showrunner
Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Rookie season 7 premiere.The Rookie season 7, episode 1, titled "The Shot," premiered Tuesday, January 7 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC. It is the first new installment to air since the Nathan-Fillion-led police procedural began its hiatus in May, joining shows such as Will Trent and Shifting Gears on the network's mid-season schedule. The hour sees Grey promote Lucy to P3 (Melissa O'Neil) when he needs to assign a rookie, making her a training officer alongside Tim and Nolan.
When speaking with ScreenRant about Lucy's new role in season 7, showrunner Alexi Hawley shares that the series is exploring an alternative career path for the character. Lucy has aspired to be an undercover cop since her rookie year, but hit a roadblock after scoring low on the detective's exam. Hawley confirms that Lucy's placement was, in fact, partly due to the five-player trade she orchestrated for Tim in season 5. However, the upcoming episodes will see the officer prioritize her career and display a renewed sense of agency. Read Hawley's full quote below:
ScreenRant: Lucy has always wanted to be an undercover officer, but scored low on the detective's exam. Now that she has this temporary training officer opportunity, could she stumble down a different path?
Alexi Hawley: She could. We're definitely exploring that this season. It was important in the fallout of Tim sort of blowing up their relationship that Lucy come out of it with a renewed sense of agency, of not being a victim, of ultimately needing to make her career a priority.
Part of the reason that she scored so low on the detective's exam, which she passed, but she's just so far down the list that there's not going to be a spot that opens up, is because she put herself out there and put together this five-player trade to get Tim a better job. And so I think there's definitely a sense of her going, "I've got to look out for myself here. I've got to make myself a priority," which I think is super positive for her.
Why Lucy Orchestrated A Five-Player Trade In The Rookie Season 5
Tim Was Stuck On Desk Duty After Giving Up His Sergeant Position
After they begin dating in The Rookie season 5, Tim acknowledges that he can't be impartial as Lucy's sergeant. He gives up his position and switches to desk duty so they can continue working at the same station. Tim had consistently expressed his love for patrol, making his sacrifice all the more significant. By choosing Lucy over his job, Tim proves how serious he is about their relationship.
Lucy knows her boyfriend is unhappy in the new role, and she orchestrates a five-player trade to create an opening in the LAPD's Metropolitan Division. In what is clearly a precursor, Nyla warns her that sergeants don't appreciate being manipulated. Lucy's plan is successful in getting Tim a job with Metro, but the officer pays for her actions when she is sabotaged during the detective's exam.
Lucy ranks seventeenth out of twenty in The Rookie season 6, episode 3, "Trouble in Paradise."
Should Lucy Change Career Paths In The Rookie Season 7?
She May Not Enjoy Working Undercover Long-Term
Lucy first shows interest in being an undercover cop during The Rookie season 3. She has proven her skills in numerous cases and is even presented as Mid-Wilshire's go-to officer after graduating from UC school. However, a common thread throughout the series is that those who pursue undercover work struggle to sustain meaningful relationships.
Since outside communication impacts the operation and poses a threat to loved ones, undercover work is inherently isolating. Officers are forced to cease contact for extended periods of time, which also takes a toll on the family members left at home. Because Lucy deeply values human connection and seeks to nurture her relationships, she may find greater fulfillment in guiding others while also remaining a steady presence in her friends' lives.
The Rookie season 7 airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Rookie follows John Nolan, a small-town man who embarks on a new career as an LAPD officer after a life-changing event. As the force's oldest rookie, Nolan faces skepticism from superiors who view his pursuit as a midlife crisis.
- Network
- ABC
- Cast
- Nathan Fillion, Melissa O'Neil, Alyssa Diaz, Eric Winter, Brian J. White, Brennan Keel Cook, Titus Makin Jr., Afton Williamson, Mekia Cox, mercedes mason, Richard T. Jones, Tru Valentino, Shawn Ashmore, Jenna Dewan, Lisseth Chavez, Will.i.am, Joel McHale, Mario Lopez, Jade Payton, Shawn Christian, Sarah Shahi, Joelle Carter, Mircea Monroe, Grant Harvey, Andy Mackenzie
- Showrunner
- Alexi Hawley
- Directors
- Tori Garrett, Chi-Yoon Chung, Michael Goi, Sylvain White, Lisa Demaine, Lanre Olabisi, Bill Johnson, David McWhirter, Liz Friedlander, Daniel Willis, Toa Fraser, Anne Renton, Jon Huertas, Cherie Nowlan, TK Shom, Rob Seidenglanz, Valerie Weiss, Barbara Brown, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, SJ Main Muñoz, Nelson McCormick, Marcus Stokes, Adam Davidson, Anna Mastro
- Writers
- Corey Miller, Bill Rinier, Zoe Cheng, Mary Trahan, Ally Seibert, Liz Alper, Nick Hurwitz, Racheal Seymour, Madeleine Coghlan, David Radcliff
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Creator(s)
- Alexi Hawley
- Seasons
- 7
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu
