Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Eddie and Marisol and Buck and Tommy and how it connects with "You Don't Know Me"

Just some thoughts I had about Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz and Evan "Buck" Buckley and their lackluster seventh season love interests Marisol and Tommy Kinard. I was thinking back to the episode You Don't Know Me (season 7 episode 5) and in that episode both Eddie and Buck were having relationship/romance issues with Marisol and Tommy. The title and theme of the episode made me think of the classic R&B song "If You Don't Know Me by Now" by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. In the song, there is this line "If you don't know me by now, you will never, never, never know me" and it fits perfectly with Buck and Eddie and their love interests.

Neither couple really know each other or even seem like they are trying to get to know each other. Eddie knew so little about Marisol yet he asked her to move in with him and his son Christopher. After she moved in, he found out she used to be a nun. Yes, that's low on the secrets reveal scale but what does he really know about her? They have been dating for several months but everything about their relationship is so superficial. Again, what does he really know about her? As viewers, we know that she's a DIYer (or at least she was back in the sixth season) but is that her job or a hobby? Also, does Eddie even know Marisol's last name? So far, it's never been revealed or shown on screen. As a viewer, it's very clear that the writers didn't put much effort in developing her character. She's just there to move Eddie's story along and with what little screen time she receives it doesn't allow the viewer to want to invest in or know more about her character.

(9-1-1 season 7 episode 5: You Don't Know Me)

I still don't know why Eddie asked her to move in with him? And finding out she used to be a nun totally weirded him out and had him not only avoiding her and in wanting to go home. I understand it was shocking for him when he found out she used to be a nun but it could have been worse. What if she had turned out to be a criminal or a serial killer? Why rush moving someone into your home (and life) when you barely know anything about them? Well, he did realize they were moving too fast and asked her to move out. I can't believe she moved in and out all in one episode. I'm hoping that the season finale will show the end of Eddie's relationship with Marisol because throughout this seventh season, the writers have shown that she holds no importance to Eddie's story. He doesn't know her and it doesn't seem like he even wants to know her.

As for Buck and Tommy, I recently wrote about my thoughts about them in the Book Girl post Fandom Thoughts #1: Janine and Gregory and Buck and Tommy but I wanted to add more. In You Don't Know Me, Buck was newly out as bisexual and was on a date with Tommy. However, Tommy was snarky, rude and passive-aggressive during and after the date. He knew that this was a new experience for Buck, he was still figuring out who he was in regards to his sexuality. So when Eddie and Marisol unexpectedly showed up to the restaurant where Buck and Tommy were at, Buck who wasn't officially out, had nervously made it seemed as if him and Tommy were just friends hanging out and going to maybe pick up some women. In response, Tommy make a rude comment that could have outed Buck. Thankfully Eddie didn't notice.

(9-1-1 season 7 episode 5: You Don't Know Me)

During that scene, I kept wondering where was Tommy's understanding, compassion and patience for Buck? As I said, he knew this was new for Buck. Yet, he couldn't understand why Buck didn't tell Eddie at that moment they were on a date. So instead of Tommy being understanding, Buck got a rude comment sent his way. And after dinner, Tommy waited until after they left the restaurant to not tell Buck they were not finishing their date. He had also ordered a ride share (not sure if it was Uber or not) just for himself and before he left, he told Buck he wasn't ready. Well, dude you knew he was newly out since you were the one who kissed him, so you should have understood why Buck had nervously lied to Eddie about your date. You would think that since Tommy had been in the closet in the past he would have some understanding and be supportive instead of being a jerk. I feel like Tommy didn't want to know Buck because if he did, he would have been the one apologizing to Buck and asking for a second date at the end of the episode. Instead of it being the other way around.

As for this relationship, I also hope the finale will mark the end of it. Because throughout the season, I feel like Buck is putting in the effort for this relationship. While Tommy is doing the bare minimum. I still can't get over him not bothering to dress up for Howard "Chimney" Han's bachelor party that Buck planned for his soon to be brother-in-law in the episode There Goes The Groom (season 7 episode 6). He knew it was important to Buck but he was so dismissive about it. Even if he was on-call for work, he still could have easily wore an 80's theme costume. Even if he got called into work, no matter what clothes he was wearing he would have had to change out of them to put on his uniform anyway. Something so simple as wearing 80's inspired clothes and he couldn't be bothered to do it.

So, to end this I will say that the title of the episode You Don't Know Me really connects to Eddie and Marisol and Buck and Tommy's relationsips. I can't stop think about that line "If you don't know me by now, You will never, never, never know me" because it truly represents everything about these lackluster relationships. So far throughout the seventh season, the only relationship the writers have put in the effort for is Buck and Eddie. Which continues to shine a light on how they know and understand each other and continue to want to. Which is why I will continue to ship Buck and Eddie and hope that they will eventually get a chance to go canon because they are perfect for each other.

(9-1-1 season 7 episode 5: You Don't Know Me)

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