Followers of the 9-1-1 TV collection obtained the shock of the present in its a centesimal episode, 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4, titled “Buck Bothered and Bewildered.”
Some followers could have seen the hints written on the wall all through the present, whereas others obtained caught fully without warning.
A present of palms; who knew Buck was a closet homosexual man — or a minimum of bisexual for the time being. My hand is unquestionably down! Shock issue.
Critiques of this new improvement are a mixture of “it is about time” and “WTH” from astonished followers and Buck-lovers.
Is that this a one-off factor that wasn’t reciprocated by Buck? Or is that this a brand new plot twist that may fully change Buck’s character improvement for good?
There’s a lot to unpack after an intense, sexually charged scene. Listed here are our ideas on this current improvement.
Have been There Hints That Buck Has Similar-Intercourse Tendencies?
Many people had a mind-blowing second late within the episode once we noticed the shared kiss between Buck and Tommy.
Till this episode, Buck has been strictly a women’ man, like his greatest good friend and fellow firefighter, Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz.
If we needed to predict which male from the station would come out as queer, most individuals would have stated Eddie.
Not Buckley.
Nevertheless, based on actor Oliver Stark, who performs Buck, the indicators have been there all alongside.
However, it wasn’t identified that Buck would discover his sexuality till the filming of 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 2 and 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 3.
In an interview, Stark stated that showrunner and co-creator Tim Minear referred to as to pitch the thought. Stark agreed along with his character’s sexual exploration, saying:
“I do really feel like there have been moments within the present which have led as much as this for a very long time. For an extended, very long time, in truth. I feel it has been seasons and seasons within the making, so it is very nice to see it formally come to fruition.
I feel the crumbs have been there. Perhaps on one hand in fairly apparent methods, however however, in much less apparent methods — of simply looking, of making an attempt to…”
The actor stated he may see indicators of Buck’s queerness way back to 9-1-1 Season 1 Episode 7. In a single interview, he talked about a scene with a affected person who had tapeworms. He felt one thing was brewing however it by no means obtained explored.
How Did 9-1-1 Introduce Buc’s Sudden Change in Sexual Orientation?
After Station 118 and appearing Captain Hen rescued Athena and Bobby from their failed cruise, we thought issues would quiet down.
However one thing new crested the horizon.
Writers introduced again former 118 firefighter Tommy Kinard to play a vital position within the collection’ upheaval centered round fan favourite Evan “Buck” Buckley.
Over the past seven seasons, we have watched and felt issues about Buck’s womanizing methods.
Now, we’re getting extra Buckley relationship drama, this time in a same-sex state of affairs. That is proper — now we have some male-on-male motion.
However do not be stunned if we see Evan with a person now and a feminine in later episodes. He is bisexual — for now.
We spent episode 4 confused about Buck’s overreactive jealousy of Eddie and Tommy’s budding friendship.
After which, we lastly obtained the decision we hoped for — an intense showdown between Buck and Tommy.
Solely it did not go as many followers anticipated.
Reasonably than seeing the 2 males throw down in an alternate of fierce phrases or bodily blows, we obtained the alternative.
After sharing some phrases and glances that immediately heated the chemistry, the writers threw a wrench into the 9-1-1 universe.
Horny, rebellious pilot Tommy planted a steamy smack proper on a bewildered Buck’s mouth. Now, they’ve geared issues to go in a completely new path.
How Will Station 118 React to Buck’s Sudden Similar-Intercourse Curiosity?
9-1-1 followers have skilled some main emotional upheavals by the hands of the writers and producers. They’ve put followers by way of the wringer relating to Buck’s future.
From well being scares to failed relationships, Evan has skilled all of it.
His love life has been as wild and uncontrolled as a staff of run-away horses sprinting off with a carriage of sudden passengers.
His fellow firefighters have supported his chaotic relationship woes with grace and help.
There isn’t any phrase but on how Buck’s sexuality will have an effect on future episodes. Or the way it will change his character.
However most of his stationmates will probably settle for his sexual orientation change.
In spite of everything, all of us love Henrietta “Hen” Wilson and her lesbian spouse. They’ve a wedding we must always all attempt to realize.
Nevertheless, some followers fear that Buck’s gay tendencies would possibly change the connection between Buck and his greatest good friend, Eddie.
There’s typically stress between males when one is homosexual, and the opposite is not. Will the present cowl that dynamic? Or will all the pieces be easy crusing?
Showrunner Minear stated in an interview asking about how Buck’s relationship will join with the 118 and Eddie:
“This story impacts Buck’s relationship with Maddie, it impacts his relationship with Eddie, and it opens up alternatives for conversations about deep emotions and vulnerabilities.”
Stark stated in response to how the folks in Buck’s life will react:
“Some folks shall be stunned, and a few of them is not going to be so stunned. There may even undoubtedly be a few situations of ‘It is about time!'”
What Prompted the Change in Buck’s Sexuality?
9-1-1 is not any stranger to queer relationships, though they do not go to the acute as a lot as 9-1-1 Lone Star.
The flagship collection has an everyday same-sex feminine couple, though we do not see as a lot of their relationship aspect as in earlier seasons.
Nevertheless, no same-sex male duo is at present on the roster or storyline. That did not look like a lot of a difficulty to viewers when the present was on FOX.
Nevertheless, FOX canceled 9-1-1 after Season 6. They retained the spinoff 9-1-1: Lonestar, which can air later in 2024 with Season 5.
The ABC community picked up the emergency response collection for Season 7. And it was simply renewed for an additional season.
The present joined the roster of different hit collection like Gray’s Anatomy, Station 19 (last season), and The Good Physician (last season).
Every of those prime reveals has a number of robust, memorable same-sex {couples} and handles difficult, taboo queer situations.
In Station 19, brazenly homosexual firefighter Travis struggles along with his relationships whereas lesbian couple Maya and Carina simply adopted a child.
On Gray’s Anatomy, Levi Schmitt is heartbroken seeing his ex return to the hospital along with his new husband and baby-to-be. And Mika Yasuda is rocking her internship and same-sex relationship with surgical resident Taryn Helm.
The Good Physician simply had the tragedy of the loss of life of series-regular Physician Asher Wolke, who was making ready to get engaged to his boyfriend, Jerome, a nurse.
With so many queer relationships to compete with, it is smart that present creators would need to develop their same-sex relationships additional.
They have the right feminine couple. Now, they want a male couple to spherical out the connection establishment.
How do you’re feeling concerning the collection taking this twist?
Are you excited to see if Buck can lastly discover real love?
Or do you suppose it ought to have been Eddie because the one the writers wrote as queer?
Drop your ideas within the feedback!
Sara Trimble is a employees author for TV Fanatic. You’ll be able to follow her on X.