Post may include affiliate links, which may earn us a commission
Okay, 9-1-1 fans, buckle up because the drama is reaching new heights—both in the field and in Buck’s love life.
This year, Season 7 of Ryan Murphy’s smash-hit series gave us one of the most talked-about moments in the show’s history: Buck (Oliver Stark) coming out as bisexual during the milestone 100th episode.
And with Season 8 officially in full swing, it seems the emotional rollercoaster is just getting started.
If you’ve been tuning in (which, let’s be real, we all are), you probably remember the heartwarming kiss between Buck and former firefighter-turned-LAFD Air Operations pilot Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.).
Fans absolutely lost it when Buck—our fearless, emotionally vulnerable, and sometimes hilariously chaotic hero—began exploring his sexuality.
This was a huge moment, not just for Buck, but for the LGBTQ+ representation on the show.
From that point on, Buck’s journey has been about more than just jumping into burning buildings and surviving wild catastrophes (killer bees? rogue flying saws? What will they think of next?).
It’s been about figuring out who he is and what love means to him, beyond the firefighting squad.
In the Season 8 premiere, fans were treated to more sweet Buck and Tommy moments, including the couple helping Eddie (Ryan Guzman) celebrate his son Christopher’s birthday over FaceTime.
While things are looking cute between Buck and Tommy, we know the road ahead isn’t all smooth sailing.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Oliver Stark teased that Buck and Tommy’s relationship will face some “unforeseen challenges” as the season progresses.
“The relationship is obviously still in its very early stages,” Stark said, hinting that as they peel back the layers of each other’s lives, there may be some emotional baggage along for the ride.
And we all know in TV land, no relationship is complete without a few hurdles!
+Related: Oliver Stark: I Want to Keep Exploring Buck’s Bisexuality
Now, for all my Buddie stans out there—you know exactly who you are and, trust me, Oliver knows too!—Stark also opened up about the lingering tension between Buck and his best friend, Eddie.
The question of whether Buck and Eddie will take things to a romantic level has been hovering over the show for what feels like forever.
Stark didn’t rule out a future romance between the two, but he made it clear that if it happens, it will be organic.
“Buck is obviously in a new phase of his life,” he explained, “and he has a lot to uncover about himself. And that isn’t tied to Tommy, and it’s not tied to Eddie.”
But before you get too deep into your Buddie fanfic, Stark had something important to say about why pushing Buck and Eddie together just for fan service wouldn’t feel right.
In an interview with GAY TIMES earlier this year, Stark emphasized that if a Buddie romance happens, it needs to be a natural part of the story.
“It shouldn’t be done just to please a specific subset of fans,” he said. “It should be done because that’s the right story to tell.”
So, while the chemistry between Buck and Eddie is undeniable—hello, we all see it!—the writers won’t rush into anything just to give us that long-awaited moment.
As we dive deeper into Buck’s bisexual awakening this season, Stark’s portrayal of Buck’s internal exploration has been nothing short of touching.
There’s something so powerful about seeing a character like Buck—who has spent years proving his toughness in life-threatening situations—get to explore vulnerability in such a deeply personal way.
Whether it’s coming out to his family or realizing that love and attraction are more fluid than he once thought, Buck’s journey is resonating with viewers everywhere.
And what’s next? Well, it’s 9-1-1, so expect the unexpected!
More action, more drama, and definitely more emotional moments that leave us teary-eyed.
Whether Buck and Tommy make it through the season intact or if we see sparks fly between Buck and Eddie, one thing’s for sure: Buck’s love story is far from over, and we’re all on the edge of our seats waiting to see what happens next.
New episodes of 9-1-1 air every Thursday on ABC, so grab your snacks and settle in—it’s going to be a wild ride!
+Related: Stark: Attraction Spurred Buck’s ‘9-1-1’ Tension with Eddie