#arjay smith

(Part 1)

A. How Nyla Destroyed Her First Marriage

We know that Nyla Harper is an outstanding police officer. After all, she got a golden ticket for working above and beyond in an undercover assignment for four years. We also know she paid a hefty price for that. Her first marriage crumbled, and she almost lost the custody of her first child, Lila Town.

We've seen how excellent Nyla was at undercover works. From the way she disguised herself impromptu on the spot to the way she coached Lucy Chen for a UC assignment, it's clear that she knows what she's doing.

However, in ep. 8x08, we saw a side of Nyla which we haven't seen before: the way she gave her all to catch a criminal. Celina Juarez brought this up when she was asking how Nyla could pick up LAFD's slack in monitoring a serial killer suspect, while also being a wife, a mother, and working on other cases. Nyla spent every available hour she had on monitoring Liam Glasser, the suspect. From an outsider's perspective, her behavior is stalker-like and borderline obsessive.

This behavior might have caused the demise of her first marriage. We've been told about it before. However, seeing her acting all intense and focused like that really drilled the fact into our brain.

Nyla's ex husband, Donovan Town, tolerated her behavior for four years until he couldn't anymore. It would be interesting to see how James Murray, Nyla's current husband, would react to Nyla's obsession to a case. Would James support Nyla until the end, or would he give up like Donovan did? However, considering Liam Glasser has been caught, I don't think the show would go there, at least not this time.

B. Is James Cheating on Nyla?

James kissed another woman. He was not the one who initiated the kiss, but it was not a sudden kiss. There was an intimate atmosphere built up for maybe 2 or 3 seconds before it happened. James had a chance to retract himself, but he didn't. Instead, he went with the flow until the woman kissed him. However, he pull out right after. He also explained to Kylie, the woman who kissed him, that he loved his wife and didn't mean to cheat on her. Thus, did James cheat on Nyla or not?

Viewers are devided. There are people who insist that James did not cheat because he pulled out right after the kiss. Others disagree. James went with the flow for a few seconds. He should pull out BEFORE the kiss happened, not after.

I think there is no definitive answer in this case. Angela Lopez said to John Nolan that for her, a kiss was crossing the line, but flirting was harmless. Angela herself has flirted with Keith Graham, her co-worker, to get some help on administrative works. For me personally, a cheating includes a deliberate show of romantic or sexual signal to other person(s). So yes, I think James is cheating, because he went with the romantic flow right before the kiss.

Nyla might not consider what James did as cheating, if she knew for sure that James pulled out from the kiss. Nyla has slept with Donovan Town, her ex-husband, when Donovan was still in a relationship with Penelope. Thus, I think Nyla's definition of cheating wouldn't be so strict. The problem is, Nyla might not be able to get any assurance, because Kylie is probably not going to survive to tell the truth. That would be another challenge to Jayla's relationship.

I never really like James Murray. I think he's whiny and a little overbearing. James often complains to Nyla and co. about the police's abuse of authority, but does not offer any practical solutions to them. Nyla and her colleagues are at the bottom of the big organization, what does he want them to do? To have them rally on the streets??? I was disapponted when Nyla chose James instead of Alonzo Smith, who objectively is better looking (and not whiny, ffs). I don't think I would even blink if Jayla broke up. However, objectively, I don't think the show would go there. James and Nyla have worked hard on their relationship despite their differences, and James is such a good friend with Wesley Evers. Alexi wouldn't throw all of these character developments to the wind.

C. Is This The Last of Liam Glasser?

Mekia Cox who played Nyla Harper said that Nyla had met her 'Joker' in Liam Glasser, so I was disappointed when the serial killer was caught only on his second appearance on the show. I hope we would see him again in the near future. The character is smart and cunning. There's a lot of potential stories could be developed involving him. Liam might escape from the prison and meets Oscar "The Cockroach" Hutchinson, who is still on the loose. They could team up, or Liam might try to make Oscar his victim. That would be interesting.

The Kylie Situation

Tim: You headed home? Lucy: Umm, actually I’m gonna pick up some food and head to the hospital.

I don’t think the Lucy Chen in 7x01 would’ve been so willing and would’ve so casually shared her evening plans with Tim. But when you go through a near-death experience like that and hearing from Tim “of course I still love you (dummy. I haven’t stopped)” then seeing Jayla, it caused her guard to lower more around Tim. It’s hard to tell at this point if Lucy wants to be in a relationship with Tim. I think she does but she can’t fully trust him yet. He needs to win her back. King of Microexpressions and heart eyes clearly wants to be with her.

This and the “you need to cool it with the compassion. You’re making the rest of us look bad / it’s not a competition but I am winning” is old school Chenford banter but with Tim trying way too hard to be nice. This is ‘kindness in small doses’ Tim packaged in his signature sass. It’s something you’d say to a middle schooler. My man is trying so hard here to deliver the sass that she’s comfortable with while also complimenting her.

On the one hand, Lucy technically violates "girl code" by sitting with Kylie. Kylie kissed James. When Isabel returned in S5, Nyla was the only colleague in Lucy’s corner. Lucy was in Nyla's corner at the top of the episode but now she's trying to be in Kylie's corner. The rarity of meaningful interactions between Asian American women on the show adds another dimension to this situation. In another context, Lucy supporting Kylie would be powerful and refreshing representation. Instead, this potential solidarity becomes complicated by Kylie's actions.

On the other hand, Lucy is an empath. Plus, having faced death in the barrel, she understands what it’s like to go through something so traumatic and be alone. She sees someone who made a terrible mistake but is now paying for it with both physical wounds and emotional isolation. Her compassion overrides her judgment about the kiss, but this creates ambiguity with Nyla that the show doesn't fully address.

Give Lucy Chen a Better Bra!

I’ve previously pointed out that Lucy needed a thicker, more supportive sports bra in 7x08 and 7x09, as her nipples were visible through both the bra and her tees. This wasn’t an issue for Celina or Nyla, who wore the same LAPD shirt under identical conditions. The main issue is, this happened in a work context with her superiors present. But this isn’t just a wardrobe choice. Time and again, Lucy is framed in ways that objectify her. The fact that someone wrote an entire post today fixating on (how big) her chest (is) in the floral green date dress—rather than her character growth, career, or badass moments—is reductive, and it’s a direct result of how the show presents her.

Women of color already face heightened scrutiny in professional spaces, and Asian women in particular have long been sexualized and fetishized in media. If these words make you uncomfortable, well, they should. And given that much of Melissa’s social media content leans suggestive or revealing, I can’t help but wonder if her image subconsciously influences how Lucy is written and framed on the show.

This isn’t about whether Melissa should or shouldn’t post that kind of content—she’s an actress and she likely curates her public image to drive engagement. But Lucy isn’t an actress; she’s a police officer, and that distinction matters. Her physical portrayal in the LAPD t-shirt uniform, including adequate coverage that doesn’t show her nipples, should reflect the same level of professionalism and consideration as her colleagues.

Take a bow, Mekia

The star of the episode was obviously Mekia. She blew me away with her acting. I felt every single atom of her emotions in my bones. She is by and far the best actress on the show and is so deserving of all the praise and awards!

I loved how Mid Wilshire RALLIED around her.

Grey defending her like hell. I don't think he'll go to that extent for Nolan or Tim.

I loved the heart to heart and hug from Wes. Shawn and Mekia have A LOT of chemistry. Like WHOA. Give them more scenes!

Nyla is Nolan's hero! "If you need anything ..." A hug! This is parallel's Chenford's hug after Jackson's death. Nyla hugging Nolan shows their TO/Boot relationship coming full circle.

Celina trying to relay information as best she can, feeling guilty that she was helping Kylie more than James, and Nyla despite being the one who's emotionally distraught is assuring her that she did the right thing (that's power).

Lucy hugging her, holding her hand, and calling her honey.

Angela. Lead Investigator Angela. When Grey said that, I got chills. Nyla's partner handling her case was so RIGHT.

Quick Takes

The Paramount tour guide saying that there's a variety of actors outside as Nathan, Eric and Melissa walk past them. Please!

Didn’t care for the rest of the ‘Cop A Feel’ police chase, scene, and gag on the Paramount lot. This zany, meta-ness seems to be getting more meta with Zander Hawley’s return in 7x10 and April Fools right around the corner.

Lucy always cleaning up blonde women’s messes? That could be its own post. In this episode alone, she cleaned up 3 blonde women's messes (the hit and run victim, her imposter daughter, and her real daughter). She's been cleaning up Isabel's tornado her entire career. And Ashley McGrady? Well, when Lucy and Tim danced at Jayla's wedding, Tim was dating Ashley. She danced with Ashley’s hot mess whom Ashley would later abandon at the hospital. Lucy would then spend the next episode stealing his radio and sending him on a scavenger hunt to cheer him up and trying to clean up the mess Ashley left.

The Hammer/Elliott Stabler's love child getting conned into an elevator by Nolan and the LAPD's MMA team. Loved this.