your homophobia is showing: the date scene in 7x10
I didnโt think this needed to be said but apparently it does. If youโre reacting to the date scene by saying you hated it and that Tommy is somehow the one that switches over to sexual thoughts during a heavy topic, Iโm going to need you to a) stop watching this goddamn show until you learn how to actually watch it and b) ask yourself why youโre so upset at two canonically queer characters flirting about daddy issues/daddy kink in a show that infamously introduced one half of this pairing by showing him stealing a firetruck to have a hook-up in said firetruck.
Letโs dive in since you all lack reading comprehension itโs actually just blatant homophobia:
The scene takes place after Bobbyโs confirmed to be okay. It opens in Buckโs loft with both parties setting the table for an intimate dinner together.
Tommy starts the scene by asking, โSo heโs going to be okay?โ Buck replies, โYeah, theyโll keep him in the hospital for a few more days but everythingโs looking really positive.โ
Tommy jokes, โFeel like you guys at the 118 should have your own designated wing at the hospital.โ Buck replies, โYeah, I-I know, right?โ but heโs visibly upset about something, and heโs trying to be there in the moment with Tommy, but something is plaguing him. What could it be?
Tommy immediately clocks this and asks, โYou okay?โ This opens the door for Buck to open up about whatever appears to be plaguing him. It takes a beat, but Buck finally admits that he was worried they would lose Bobby this time.
Buck goes on to say, โBobbyโs the father I never had.โ Tommy replies, โYour fatherโs alive.โ Tommyโs response serves as a double meaning: Tommy is both reminding him that Bobby is indeed alive and also possibly joking that Buckโs actual father is still alive too. Buck lets out a quick laugh at the response and says, โExactly,โ clearly understanding Tommyโs response. Tommy has therefore recognized Buckโs emotional torment over Bobby, given Buck the space to talk about it, and then ensured Buck could be in a positive place by the end of it. We love an emotionally intelligent character.
Tommy replies, โI have to admit Iโm a little bit jealous. My dad and I donโt really talk. And when I was at the 118, I had Gerrard, which did not make me a better person. Come to think of it, Captain Gerrard was like having the dad I already had.โ This harkens back to Tommyโs admission in 704 that heโs jealous of what the 118 has become while also giving us insight into Tommyโs background (as well as foreshadowing into whatโs to come for the end of this episode and season 8. And not going to lie, I feel like if you missed the glaring bits of foreshadowing with Gerrard, you should perhaps go back and study basic narration techniques. Just saying! Theyโre beating the foreshadowing over your head if youโd pay attention.) Tommy is talking about a subject thatโs obviously difficult though. Itโs clearly the first time Tommyโs opened up about his own father issues, and Buck can clearly clock that Tommyโs in emotional turmoil much like Buck was beginning this scene.
Ergo, Buck cracks the joke, โSo maybe we both have daddy issues.โ Tommy, matching the level of intensity, quips, โI donโt.โ They both drink their wine. Buck follows up: โBut you think I do.โ Buckโs giving Tommy a very heated look here. Heโs very clearly laying down something if Tommy wants to pick it up. Tommy, picking up what heโs laying down, replies, โGod I hope so.โ
Tommy keeps his eyes locked on Buckโs, and a slow closed-lipped smirk starts growing on his face as he takes Buckโs reaction in. The audience canโt see Buckโs response, but we can tell Buckโs grinning/smiling/reacting positively to it.
YES this scene opens with them discussing Bobbyโs condition and ends on the two men flirting with one another. What exactly is the problem in that?
This scene highlights where Buck and Tommy are in their relationship. For one, both parties are able to recognize when the other has something they need to say and encourages them to speak while having the emotional intelligence to know when what the other is talking about is perhaps a rough subject to actually discuss. Hence why you see Tommy tell Buck, โYour fatherโs alive.โ Hence why you see Buck turn to flirting when he says, โSo maybe we both have daddy issues.โ
YES, that means Buck is indeed the one to pivot the conversation to daddy issues and daddy kink, and YES Tommy is the one that matches the intensity of the moment. WHY is that a problem?
Evan Buckley having daddy issues is the least shocking thing this series has confirmed about him. This show literally introduces Buck as someone whoโs stolen a firetruck to pursue a hookup in said firetruck, and he does it again in the same damn episode where he proclaims he thinks heโs a sex addict (self-diagnosed). Evan Buckley is canonically shown repeatedly engaging in public sex and quite literally keeps a ring cutter in his kitchen (same kitchen theyโre having dinner in by the way!) because he uses cockrings. If flirting with his boyfriend over a kink this site is literally infamous for upsets or disgusts you, you need to take a look at yourself and ask what about two queer characters flirting on this topic upsets or disgusts you. Spoiler alert: itโs homophobia and queerphobia.
Buck and Tommy are queer, and theyโre going to engage in sexual behaviors together. If youโve spent the whole goddamn time criticizing anyone for pointing out that hey, theyโre probably having sex by now and that Buckโs holding a toiletries bag in 709 and is therefore likely spending the night with Tommy and are now saying youโre upset or disgusted (or more, attempting to apply extremely harmful stereotypes towards Tommy OR WISHING HARM OR DEATH ON THE CHARACTER), youโre being homophobic and queerphobic. Straight up. Knock it the fuck off and do some work on yourself.
