9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4 Review: Buck Bothered and Bewildered

9-1-1 celebrates its 100th episode with 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4, “Buck Bothered and Bewildered,” as ABC does what others were afraid to do: introducing Buck as a bisexual man.

To honor what the show has been doing for 100 episodes, “Buck Bothered and Bewildered” focuses on two of the most important characters: Buck and Athena. While Buck figures out his jealousy, Athena must deal with being stuck between motherhood and policing.

Before discussing how important and satisfying Buck’s storyline on this episode is, let’s discuss Athena Grant.

Athena: Mother and Sergeant

Even though one of the biggest focuses of 9-1-1 is the 118 and its firefighters, there would be no show without Athena Grant. This is highlighted as the show celebrates such a huge milestone.

The episode could have focused entirely on Buck, giving room for his story to be explored, but instead, it also highlights one of the most important female characters.

Athena’s essence is working for the LAPD and being a mom. Since May’s departure and lack of Harry’s appearance, the motherhood side of Athena had fallen through the cracks.

Yes, it was still very obvious that she loved her children, but it had all circled around her job and her marriage — particularly the latter as she almost lost her life on her honeymoon cruise with Bobby.

9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4, “Buck Bothered and Bewildered,” brings us back to the motherly side and reminds us why both aspects of Athena’s life are so important.

In order to do such a thing, “Buck Bothered and Bewildered” marks Harry’s return to Athena’s life and our screens. At first, it seems like a loving mother-and-son reunion until Bobby breaks the news.

Harry is running away from the law, which is the worst thing someone could do in Athena’s eyes. Of course, her first reaction is to think like a cop. What could he have possibly done to warrant an arrest?

Her son points out he needs his mother, not the sergeant. It might take Athena a bit to switch her thinking, but she comes around as the kind of support Harry needs.

She understands why her son reacted the way he did, but she explains why that can never happen again. In the end, Harry isn’t arrested, and she must sign off on his 100 hours of community work.

Bringing this storyline front and (semi)center on 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4, “Buck Bothered and Bewildered,” reminds us why Athena is such a complex character. She isn’t just a cop or a mother; she is both, and that’s why her character fits within the margins of 9-1-1.

Bi-Buck, We Have Been Waiting

For seven seasons, a large group of 9-1-1 fans has been talking about the possibility of Buck being bisexual. Many talked about the queerbaiting behind Buck and Eddie’s friendship.

These conversations created tension in the fandom, with people fighting over whether Buck’s sexuality was one thing or the other. Oliver Stark told TVLine he had to take a step back from social media “because you would see these things [about Buck] and I would agree… but I couldn’t agree, right?”

The moment of validation for both Stark’s personal knowledge of Buck and the fans who had been headcanoning Buck as bisexual for many years comes when Tommy and Buck kiss in his kitchen.

Throughout 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4, “Buck Bothered and Bewildered,” Buck acts jealous of Eddie and Tommy’s newfound friendship. The two men have a lot in common, from being in the army and enjoying fights to playing basketball together and practicing Muay Thai.

Buck feels left out. For some viewers, it seems Buck feels like he is losing his friendship with Eddie to Tommy, to a man who seems to have more in common with his best friend.

For those Buck and Eddie shippers who have been in the trenches for many seasons, it feels validating to see the jealousy. Maybe Buck is coming around to his feelings for his best friend. Clearly, there is something more going on with his emotions.

Surprisingly, Buck’s jealousy turns out to be because of Tommy’s attention. He says he has been acting like a fool because he wants to spend time with Tommy, just like Eddie has been doing.

We have yet to find out how much truth is in this statement. Just like Tommy, we are shocked to find out it is his attention he has wanted all along.

Could it be possible that Buck is projecting his feelings for Eddie onto someone quite similar to his best friend? Or is Tommy really the man Buck is interested in?

It will be an adventure to find answers to those questions, but for now, it is liberating to see Buck be free.

9-1-1 Season 7 confirms four episodes into the season what many have been suspecting since the show premiered. Buck breaks the stereotypical macho firefighter mold, and it is beautiful to see.

He has had several girlfriends, has faced dangerous challenges, and has survived several near-death experiences. Coming to terms with his sexuality does not erase any of that. He is still the same brave, bold, and sometimes attention-seeking firefighter we have known all along.

9-1-1‘s queer representation has been astounding from the very beginning. We cannot forget nor erase Henrietta and Karen’s relationship, their family, and how amazing it has been to watch two queer women love each other unconditionally on screen.

Buck’s bisexuality (because we cannot erase the important relationships he’s had with women on the show like Abby Clark) is a win for queer representation, but also a win for fans who watch the show and read between the lines.

It is a win for those who believe they must fit one particular role or stereotype but are destined to go beyond societal expectations. Society says you cannot be a manly man if you like other male-presenting individuals. Buck is here to say f**k that.

This new journey Buck is going through is definitely going to make for a great storyline, and we cannot wait to see where things go with Tommy (or whoever he decides to date next).

We must applaud ABC for keeping the essence of 9-1-1 alive and going where others may have been afraid to go. Exploring queer storylines pays off, and fans of the show will definitely be thankful for Buck’s coming out.

9-1-1 Season 7 is one for the books (so far).

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9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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