9-1-1: Buck And His Foray Into Bisexuality

9-1-1 has experienced quite a lot of change this year. In a shocking move, Fox canceled the insanely popular show at the end of Season 6. Much to the relief of fans everywhere though, it was picked up by the ABC network and given a second chance at life. As the show settles into its new home, some characters are getting a bit of an overhaul. Throughout the series, Evan Buckley (Oliver Stark), otherwise known as Buck, has never had much luck with the ladies. Well, in Season 7 it looks like Buck is taking a shot with a man instead. 

This shift in his character development has fans lifting their eyebrows. See, the 9-1-1 fandom has been pretty loud about their feelings about Buck’s sexuality. Even though Buck has always been presented as a bit of a womanizer, fans have shipped his character with Eddie (Ryan Guzman) since Eddie joined the 118. 

The pair do have a particularly strong bromance going on. However, when the show was on Fox, it was obvious that although the writers liked to tease the fandom with their friendship, Buck and Eddie’s relationship had never moved beyond the boundaries of platonic. Now that the show has a new home, the question of Buck’s sexuality is definitely on the table. 

In episode 4 of Season 7, Buck has an intense reaction to Eddie’s new friend Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.). In a move that is clearly intended to play with the hearts of the fandom again, the writers of this episode initially set up the situation to make it appear that Buck is experiencing jealousy about Eddie, not Tommy. Then, during a basketball game, like a spoiled child on the school playground, Buck lets his jealousy get the better of him and ends up putting Eddie in the hospital. Only then is it totally clear that it’s Tommy’s attention he’s vying for and not his long-time friend. 

The pair share a kiss, and Buck’s whole world shifts. Despite wanting nothing more than for Buck and Eddie to eventually be endgame, Buck’s new foray into bisexuality has been met with mixed reactions from fans. Here are our thoughts on this interesting development in the 9-1-1 universe. 

Coming Out to Maddie

In a discussion with Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) about his behavior regarding Eddie during the basketball game, Buck reveals to Maddie that he’s into Tommy. Maddie’s eyes widen a little, but that’s the extent of her reaction. She’s supportive and tells Buck that he needs to talk to Eddie about why he’s been acting so poorly lately. 

The scene is fine. It’s what all coming-out scenes should be like – no fuss, no mess, just acceptance and love. However, because this new direction in Buck’s character arc is so out of left field, this scene would have been a good moment to lay some of the foundation a little more. However, the writers chose not to do this. 

Maddie doesn’t ask him any questions about where this is coming from, if he’s been hiding this part of himself forever, or why he possibly thinks this is happening to him now. From a narrative perspective, if this had occurred, this new direction for Buck would have been less jarring. As it stands, Buck and his new foray into the world of bisexuality feels like fractured fan service at best. There was great potential with this story arc to deliver a meaningful and heartfelt piece of television. Instead, it was clumsy at best. 

Oliver Stark’s Reaction

Some fans protested the union between Buck and Tommy, claiming their coupling has ruined the show for them. Oliver Stark took to Instagram to show those so-called fans the door.

“Humbled and overwhelmed by the positive reaction to Buck’s storyline. I’ve read so many of your messages and I couldn’t be prouder.

“If you are one of the smaller group of people commenting on my posts about how this has ruined the show. I would like you to know that I truly don’t care. This is a show about love and inclusion. It’s featured queer relationships from the very beginning including a beautiful Black lesbian marriage played out by two of the best actresses [Aisha Hind and Tracie Thoms] I’ve ever watched.

“If one other character finding a new facet to his sexuality and realizing his bisexuality is your deal breaker — I fear you’ve missed the entire point of the show. You are not required to announce your departure.”

Stark says that the show has been laying breadcrumbs about Buck’s sexuality for a long time, claiming that this new development has been “seasons and seasons in the making”. 

If that’s true, episode 4 of season 7 was a lost opportunity to make television history. There are too many holes in the story and the delivery lacked substance. Watching Buck become overwhelmed by jealousy at Tommy’s arrival doesn’t feel organic or realistic. Hopefully, the writers will backtrack in the coming season and clean it up a little. There is not enough quality bisexual representation on mainstream screens, especially of the male variety. It would be interesting to watch Buck really explore the complexities of his sexuality wholistically in the future. 

Despite its clunky presentation to audiences, we are here for this new development. All eyes are now on Buck and Tommy as they delve into the beginnings of a new relationship. The entire 9-1-1 franchise has always done a good job with its queer representation, and adding a bisexual man to the mix spices things up considerably. 9-1-1 has been renewed for an eighth season so we’ll be watching with open hearts and open minds as this storyline unfolds. 

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Featured image: Picture by Chris Willard. Image Courtesy of Disney.