9-1-1 made history Thursday night — and no, I’m not talking about the show reaching its milestone 100th episode or pulling off an exciting Bachelor crossover. Those achievements were both iconic. But I’m here to celebrate the REAL jaw-dropper of Season 7, Episode 4: Evan “Buck” Buckley’s monumental kiss.
Longtime fans of the Fox-turned-ABC drama have been begging 9-1-1 writers to explore the sexuality of Oliver Stark’s character for years, and though impassioned Buddie shippers didn’t get their dream Buck and Eddie pairing in “Buck, Bothered and Bewildered,” the show furthered Buck’s character development with a same-sex kiss that will leave fans howling at their TV screens.
The episode kicked off with Tommy Kinard (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) giving Buck a tour of “the toys” at LAFD Air Operations. Episode 3 saw Buck, Hen (Aisha Hinds), Eddie (Ryan Guzman), and Chimney (Kenneth Choi) enlist the former 118 member’s help — and helicopter — to save Bobby and Athena from their capsized cruise ship, and after Buck admitted the adventure was the most fun he’s had since being struck by lightning, Tommy offered to give him flying lessons. In return, Buck offered to buy Tommy a beer. But just as Tommy was taking a raincheck, Eddie pulled up to meet him for a casual helicopter ride to a sold-out fight in Vegas. Cue this face:
Surprised by the sight of Buck, Eddie asked if his 118 bestie was planning on jumping ship and leaving the station. In response, Buck uttered seven words that not only made me scream, but fanned the bisexual Buck flames to even greater heights: “No. I’m just keeping my options fluid.” Jail for the 9-1-1 writers! (Complimentary.)
The rest of 9-1-1‘s hundredth episode saw Buck navigating a complex concoction of emotions and displaying palpable jealousy over Eddie and Tommy’s newfound, accelerated friendship. Sad puppy dog eyes were on full display as Buck took stock of the duo’s shared interests — from their time in the Army and love of “watching half-naked guys pummel each other” to Muay Thai and cars. He barely maintained composure when Eddie asked him to watch Christopher so he could hang with Tommy again. And he torched Toddie (Tommy and Eddie, sorry!) to Maddie after finding “BPUW/Tommy” (Toddie’s weekly basketball pickup game) circled on Eddie’s calendar. GASP!
Fueled by a fiery mix of envy, confusion, and insecurity, Buck rush-ordered a basketball, convinced Chimney to join him on the court, and crashed Toddie’s game. After Chim realized he was Buck’s “basketball beard” (another scream!), Buck went head to head with Eddie, accidentally injured him, and further isolated himself from the guys — but not for long.
In the episode’s final minutes, Tommy unexpectedly visited Buck’s apartment to clear the air, prompting Buck to say, “There’s no bad blood, only bad behavior and it’s all on my part. You didn’t do anything wrong. You and Eddie as buddies (BUDDIES!) makes perfect sense.” Tommy told “Evan” (help!) he felt bad for excluding him and admitted he was jealous of the 118’s bond, so Buck reminded him he was part of the 118 — he even made fake mouth static at a fire chief to help them save Bobby and Athena. “That’s why I called and asked for the tour,” Buck revealed. “It wasn’t cause of me maybe leaving the 118, Tommy. I just, I wanted to get to know you…And then you left with Eddie, which, you don’t have to tell me how great Eddie is. I’ve known that from the first day I worked with him…”
After Tommy offered to teach him Muay Thai on top of his flying lessons, Buck said, “Good. Cause trying to get your attention is kind of exhausting.” HOT! Tommy’s ears perked up, and after Buck confirmed he was trying — all this time — to get his attention, not Eddie’s, Tommy kissed him mid-sentence in a super sexy, genuinely surprising twist. “That was better than fake mouth static,” Buck adorably gushed, assuring Tommy that the show of affection was welcomed. Though the former 118 member had to race across town for a shift, he adorably asked Buck out for the beer he owes him on Saturday and urged him to call Eddie on his way out.
The episode ended with Buck flashing a hopeful smile that set the stage for an ongoing emotional journey to come — hopefully one ripe with cathartic introspection; freeing growth; and intimate, important conversations with his real and found family.
Though some diehard Buddie believers may initially feel let down by the Bummy (?!) vs. Buddie development, it’s time to trust in Buck’s journey of self-discovery, look back on all the signs sprinkled though seven seasons — Maddie’s “boy crush” comment, that TK interaction in the 9-1-1: Lone Star crossover, a stranger assuming he was Christopher’s second dad, etc. — and feel a sense of satisfaction knowing they play into a larger, undeniably meaningful storyline.
Whether or not the exploration of Buck’s sexuality is slowly setting the stage to make Buddie canon as some will inevitably still hope, 9-1-1 finally went where fans were, at times, doubtful that it would. Buck’s long-awaited same-sex kiss sealed a hilarious, historic episode jam-packed with A+ sexual tension, flirty banter, and relatable emotions. That’s cause for celebration. And I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next.
New episodes of 9-1-1 premiere Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.
