#and I think Natalia the death doula is a key part of this - because she is ideally situated to help him process that specific trauma

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Currently feeling a bit feral over the fact that Natalia means Christmas Day - as in the birth of Jesus Christ and Bucks story is so heavily leaning into the birth death and resurrection of Christ - the saviour - as a central part of his narrative arc. Her presence is literally about the birth of buck - as in processing his grief about why he was born - as a saviour baby.

[littlerosetrove]

So the show and the writers DO know how to write a decent love interest!!!! Are fucking kidding me??!?!?!? fghvbjkhgfgchv. OKAY LISTEN AND BARE WITH ME.

Bucks love interests - Abby was developed because she too was a main character in season one. But after her? - Ali was barely present then gone. - Taylor Kelly was never interesting or compelling, definitely not to me. She was a selfish asshole the entire time we knew her, and her back story didn't garner much sympathy points because it showed her hypocrisy. - Natalia was a death doula that never got developed. No clue why she did or said anything in season 6.

Yes I'm going to bring Eddie into this because he's relevant for sure.

Eddie's love interests - Shannon was definitely an interesting character. In some ways we never really got to know her, but overall? Yeah still got some clear ideas of who she was as a person and a mom (a bad one). - Ana was a teacher, nice, but terribly bland (and low-key ableist). Her only interesting moment was the Iconic breakup scene. - Marisol. We still know jack shit about her beyond her weird connection with her brother, and liking DIY.

AND SO I'm finding fascinating that Buck's newest love interest, Tommy, in predominately one episode (though yes he was in 7x3, and had a few scattered scenes throughout season 2) has had a pretty dang decent amount of character development already.

Like. Like just in two episodes of season 7 we can tell that he's been a firefighter for years, has a history with the 118, has been in the army and so connects with Eddie on that level, has had a connection with Chris at some point, is confident, ready to help at the drop of a hat for Chimney and Hen in particular, is very friendly, social, is respectful (ex: when he waited to get the clear from Buck that he's interested, and then made a move), mature, and I could probably go on.

Part of my point is that I honestly appreciate that, finally, in this case for Buck, he's getting a love interest that the writers are putting in effort for. I think it's, yeah, important to do so since *gestures* this is a queer story they're telling. I'd hope that they'd put more care and effort into this, you know? Gosh I hope I'm phrasing this right.

And just. Again I find it weird and funny that, idek, when it's a guy (love interest)??? Oh now they can make an interesting and far more developed character???? Okay okay okay. Interesting. Okay.

And I think the last thing I wanna say is....... I. Y'all. I like Tommy. I don't hate or really mind the Buck and Tommy of it all. I think a big reason for this is, as I just laid out, that Tommy has been developed and just seems like a good guy. No, I don't think they're any kind of end game. No, I don't want Tommy to even get hurt because Buck is still confused about Eddie and currently avoiding delving all that, but. But yeah. While Tommy and Buck last? Yeah sure, I'm cool. I'm happy that I feel fine about it, because I sure have not cared for really any of Buck's other previous love interests (or Eddie's.)

I'm way more confident about Buddie canon, just a by the way. But we're getting there! Give it time!