This is a direct continuation of the previous post, so if you haven’t read that, it’s probably best to do so.
Last time, I touched on some of the representation in both 911 and 911: Lone Star, two shows which I thoroughly enjoy, and think exemplify a certain level of casual representation that is incredibly important, especially in the current climate. As I write this, I have yet to see the final episode of Lone Star, but I am completely caught up on 911, so be warned, spoilers ahead.
In both shows, relationships are important, and their relationship dynamics impact the characters’ daily lives. In Lone Star, when we meet the various characters who will become important parts of the show, they’re all single, and through the series we see various ways in which characters date. This is a significant part of the representation and diversity – for many, ‘love’ is a life milestone, but finding it isn’t always easy, and Lone Star really shows how difficult it can be for some. TK and Carlos have their issues, but they find each other relatively easily, and there aren’t many external obstacles in their way. Similarly, when Mateo and Nancy realise they like like each other, there’s a couple of bumps but then they’re just together.
For other characters, it’s not so easy. We see Paul navigating dating while being trans, initially dating a woman who he opens up to, but who admits she can’t get past the fact he’s trans, and they part ways. For Paul, this is an added complication to any relationship; he has to open up about a very private situation, and consistently risks that being a ‘dealbreaker’. However, eventually he meets someone who knows him from childhood, and is still interested in pursuing a relationship with him, creating a path he can’t really have with a stranger.
Then there’s Marjan – she’s part of an exclusive dating app, thanks to her ‘influencer’ status as Firefox, but we don’t really see her dating. Then we learn she’s actually engaged, as part of an arranged marriage. This is important: it doesn’t show this as restrictive or negative, and Marjan is very happy with the situation, as it takes away the kind of uncertainty others might face. Her religion is an important part of her life, and the show always treats it as such. However, when her engagement ends, she’s left feeling a bit lost. That kind of certainty has been taken away from her. Later, we see her keen to try dating again, however because of her religion, she wants to date in a way that is unfamiliar to her friends in the firehouse. We do see Marjan navigate these challenges, enlisting her friends to chaperone, resulting in a series of highly entertaining date scenes where they form their opinions of the men.
What’s important here is the way the show tackles dating; it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, and each character is given the room to explore their dating options on their own. Similarly, in 911, when the series starts we have one character in the 118 who is already in a long-term, committed relationship; Hen is married to Karen. Bobby, Chimney and Buck are all single when we meet them, and though Eddie is married when he arrives in season 2, he’s not with his wife.
We see an emergence in 911 of long-term relationships, as Bobby and Athena start dating, and Chimney falls for Maddie, Buck’s sister. Again, these couples face their difficulties, but ultimately we, the audience, know they’re endgame. So, as we wait for 8B to air, we’re left with two singles in the 118 – Buck and Eddie.
Buck and Eddie are an incredibly popular ship within 911. To be honest, I’m not a shipper – never really have been. There are characters I see who sometimes I think I’d like to see together, but for the most part I’m happy to sit back and watch whatever unfolds unfold. However, there is a strong sense that Buck and Eddie are inevitable, despite them appearing – for most of the show so far – as cis het men. However, in the seventh season, we see a chance in Buck – he comes to the realisation that he is, actually, attracted to both men and women.
This is such an important moment, and the way it’s treated in-universe is, quite honestly, refreshing. It’s a coming out story of the kind usually dominated by teenage narratives – which in itself, is fine, but for many queer folks, their coming out moment happened later in life. In some ways, it almost mirrors Michael – Athena’s ex – coming to terms with his own sexuality, but it still stands differently. Michael is a little older and is gay, not bi, whereas Buck is bi. And we see it happen with Buck, with Michael we join for the fallout instead. Buck’s coming out resonated with fans, and for me, a bi woman who came out when I was almost 30, Buck’s story felt so incredibly important.
Buck has always viewed himself as an ally (the ally to bi pipeline is very real), and likely felt things towards other men he thought were normal to feel in a platonic way, until he was able to acknowledge that part of himself. Even when he’s discussing this with others (Maddie and Josh), he’s not quite able to put it into words, and he doesn’t understand (yet!) the LGBTQIA+ community, or the history that comes along with being queer. It’s a gap between him and Tommy, his partner, an older man who was in the closest for a long time. And Josh explains it to Buck by referencing Glee, and the world – and attitudes towards the queer community – pre- and post-Glee. Josh’s ‘speech’ resonated, and I think it adds to why this kind of representation remains so important. We’ve come so far since Glee aired, but – crucially – it feels like the wolves are at the door, and we’re starting to slide backwards.
I’ll leave this here for now, and come back to it again. But in the meantime, if you enjoy this blog and reading my thoughts, I now have a Substack, so please do consider subscribing!
Unwrapping Words 