#I just know S1 Buck would have been feral for Tommy

[tenebrous-academic]

The golden retriever x black cat dynamic is to die for! And despite tommy's stoic/sassy side you can see him going soft and indulging for buck and it makes me feel so warm inside. I can't describe him as good as you did, that's basically poetry.

But on the production level, he's a character that's easy to throw in a scene and being totally fitting with the 118 being work related or not. Everyone knows him and likes him, he was once part of the team and he could be part of the 118 family again. He could be present on emergency scenes, hell a "who cares" team up again would be iconic. You couldn't find a love interest like that even if you tried!

Anon stop you’re going to make me blush ☺️ If it’s anything close to poetry it’s only because these two inspire me to write about them like that.

I actually hadn’t assigned black cat energy to Tommy until right this second but omfg you’re so right. We all know Buck is the quintessential golden retriever boyfriend, but Tommy is such a black cat. He’s sassy, deadpan funny, stoic, but so sweet to his chosen people. Buck lets him bring out his sweeter side - that “Evan” was pulled out of him by sheer surprise when Buck asked him to be his date to the wedding. He was going into that coffee date with his guard up and his expectations low after the disaster of a first date. Ready to either be let down gently by someone who wasn’t ready to date a man or to be let down by someone who would maybe be okay with dating, but only if they kept things just between them for now (aka deeply in the closet). Instead, he’s met with boundless enthusiasm, a terrible coffee, and the strangest third date proposal he’s ever been given. His “Evan” slipped out so soft, sweet, and surprised. That right there was Buck surprising Tommy in the best way and in ways he hadn’t ever considered. We haven’t seen too much since then, but I just know in future episodes we’ll see more of that melting softness he has for Buck. We’ve had glimpses of it in the hospital and while he was leaving the bachelor party, but it’s only going to get that much better.

On a production level he’s so interesting both in canon and IRL! He has substantial history with everyone, which is why I bet Tim pulled him back in. In the latest episode Oliver said that he didn’t even know about who his love interest would be until 7x02 (only two episodes before it actually happened). But as someone with a history on the show, Lou was able to step in right away even with minimal time to prep. And Tommy/Lou has slid in seamlessly with the cast.

Tommy is not just coming in as the latest love interest, but a friend to Chimney and Hen, as a respected former coworker of Bobby’s, and as an established member of the LAFD. He has roots in this show!! And I think that’s going to make an incredible difference in his and Buck’s relationship. It’s like he’s been a part of Buck’s life on the peripheral since he joined the 118 as Tommy’s replacement and, now, he’s stepping up to be part of Buck’s life moving forward, only this time it’s at his side.