9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 5 ‘Masks’ is an episode about contrasts. On the one hand, there may be your nuclear household, after which there are the folks you’ve chosen to be a part of your prolonged household. Then again, there’s your associate, the one you’ve recognized for years, the one who understands you higher than anybody else …and your new boyfriend, who you wish to be part of your life.
For Hen, it’s about discovering stability. For Buck, it’s about deciding if Tommy is simply his boyfriend or if he can turn out to be a part of this household that he’s constructed – the one which has a devoted group chat that nobody thinks Tommy needs to be a part of, not less than not but. The reply to that query isn’t clear but, however one factor is for positive: now that the query has been requested, it’s in all probability going to should be addressed.
MORE: Right here’s our evaluate of 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 1! And right here’s our evaluate of 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 2.
THE BIG MOMENTS
9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 5 ‘Masks’ focuses on the issues we miss out on, as Hen and Karen have an argument about the truth that Hen is at all times engaged on what Karen calls “the massive moments.” For Hen, that’s simply the way in which it’s, that’s her job. For Karen, her household ought to come first. Ultimately, nevertheless, each have some extent and there’s a compromise that may and ought to be discovered.
Certain, the 118 is their household, as confirmed by Karen taking Jee trick-or-treating and everybody hanging out within the ready room whereas they get information about how Denny is doing. However your spouse, and your youngsters, ought to nonetheless take priority. Hen has to cease placing the 2 issues on the identical degree of significance, or she is certainly going to overlook some very huge moments along with her household.
However Karen additionally has to grasp that Hen is a primary responder, so meaning at instances, sacrifices must be made. That’s the life Hen selected and the life Karen understood they had been signing up for when she selected Hen. And it additionally signifies that, in fact, when unhealthy issues occur, Hen has the data to assist save Denny, as she did on this hour.
Nonetheless, this appears like an ongoing dialog for each and a spot the place they are going to each want to grasp that it’s not about compromise, it’s about stability.
MORE: Right here’s our evaluate of 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 3! And right here’s our evaluate of 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 4.
IS THIS A LOVE TRIANGLE?
Let’s handle the elephant within the room right here: is the Tommy/Buck/Eddie dynamic truly a love triangle, solely nobody within the dynamic realizes it but? And if that’s the case, what are the chances that the primary individual to determine it out might be Tommy?
First, let’s speak about Tommy on this episode as a result of there isn’t something too clearly damaging to say about him. Certain, he doesn’t imagine Buck, however to be honest …Buck is speaking a few curse. The truth that he doesn’t imagine what Buck is saying, nevertheless, doesn’t imply he’s imply about it (a tad dismissive, in a means that may good coming from somebody you simply began a relationship with, however not imply), and he does handle Buck and is there for Buck when Buck wants him. Plus, their scene on the finish is cute, even it’s extra about Billy Boils than them. The issue with Tommy isn’t Tommy, it has by no means been Tommy. As I’ve said earlier than, I believe 9-1-1 has gone out of its solution to showcase Tommy as man who actually cares about Buck. In one other life, he may very well be good for Buck. It’s simply that …on this one, Buck has already discovered his individual.
9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 5 ‘Masks’ makes clear that Eddie is Buck’s individual, and the individual that, throughout the household he’s constructed and the dynamics already in place, is his good associate. Not as a result of he at all times sees Buck, or as a result of he at all times has the reply. He doesn’t even imagine him in regards to the curse both, which could be very a lot on model for Eddie. However as a result of Buck trusts him above all others, as a result of there’s years of luggage they carry collectively that makes it so, generally, Eddie is the one one who can get via to Buck.
Ultimately, Tommy tries, however Eddie will get Buck to hear. And what’s extra necessary, although it’s onerous to say that Tommy absolutely realizes the implication of this but, Tommy does perceive up to a degree how true that is. He’s, in any case, the one who calls Eddie when Buck isn’t feeling nicely. He is aware of Buck will hearken to Eddie even when he isn’t listening to Tommy. And that neither man pretends to imagine Buck is definitely factor, throughout the context of the narrative.
You don’t have to alter who you’re to your associate, that’s not what being there for somebody means. As an alternative, 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 5 ‘Masks’ simply exhibits that consolation isn’t about patronizing somebody, it’s about nonetheless having their again, even whenever you suppose they’re being a bit foolish.
And credit score to Tommy, he does do this on the finish of the episode. Nevertheless it’s onerous to flee the conclusion that, nearly as good as issues are between him and Buck proper now, the narrative continues to color him as a plot system – even when a pleasant one – in Buck’s journey. Even Tommy’s scenes on this episode, which as soon as once more, are largely optimistic, are all about showcasing how he isn’t unhealthy, by any stretch of the creativeness. However he’s an outsider trying in on one thing Buck already constructed. And he’s simply inferior to another person, somebody who got here first.
MORE: How are we doing on the record of issues we wished for 9-1-1 Season 8? Test it out right here!
WHAT BUCKS NEEDS
Buck’s whole worldview was modified in 9-1-1 Season 7, Episode 4 ‘Buck, Bothered and Bewildered’ and he’s been adjusting ever since. And 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 5 ‘Masks’ appears like a callback to that episode as a result of, as soon as once more, it frames Buck’s points – as foolish as they could appear this time – via the lens of his relationship with Eddie and Tommy.
To be clear, Eddie doesn’t should be a part of this framing. Each second Eddie is there may very well be narratively resolved with out him. Meaning it’s a writing option to have Eddie there and to have him be centered in scenes that function Buck and Tommy. It’s a writing alternative to border this episode’s message as “Sure, Tommy is sweet for Buck, BUT …generally what Buck wants is Eddie.” All narrative selections. You don’t even should interpret them romantically for those who don’t need. Doesn’t make Eddie’s place in Buck’s life any much less necessary.
And the factor is, it virtually appears like we’re coming full circle. Again when Buck got here out, over a season in the past at this level, the overwhelming feeling was that that complete storyline wasn’t about Tommy, it was about Eddie. Buck was simply an unreliable narrator in his personal life. Now, it appears like as soon as once more, the present is attempting to middle Eddie in Buck and Tommy’s relationship. Why would the present do that? Why aren’t they giving Tommy depth outdoors of his relationship with Buck or the moments Eddie spends with them? Why are they making such some extent to comment that Tommy is an outsider to the dynamics Buck finds important in his life? Why have we gotten solely two scenes of simply Buck and Tommy this season? I already spelled that out in my final evaluate.
MORE: How are we doing on the record of issues we wished for 9-1-1 Season 8? Test it out right here!
ONTO EDDIE
We’ve seen a largely mild model of Eddie within the first 5 episodes this season, however the voiceover on the finish makes it clear Eddie just isn’t okay. There’s no means he may very well be, in any case. His son just isn’t with him. And positive, a number of the previous few months for Eddie have clearly been about realizing that he is usually a individual with out Christopher, that he can giggle and revel in issues …that he can exist with out his son. However an important factor about Eddie is that he’s not the kind of dad that desires to.
So the place does that go away us? What else does Eddie have to find about himself earlier than he can carry Christopher house? It might be superb if the reply needed to do along with his dad and mom and his personal upbringing. Eddie has been proven to be nothing however father, however parenthood is the form of factor the place you’ll be able to’t assist however put your personal baggage into it. So, maybe, the one means for Eddie to be a greater father is to really personal the methods he thinks his dad and mom failed him.
And if that requires taking off his “masks,” aka the mustache, nicely, so be it. We’ll settle for the sacrifice.
MORE: What questions do we would like answered from Season 7 of 9-1-1? Right here’s a listing!
Issues I believe I believe:
- This Wizard of Oz household costume is the cutest factor ever.
- Typically the present could be very on the nostril: “It’s about household”?
- If Athena got here to my faculty, I’d be paying consideration. However youngsters are the worst.
- “No, I don’t converse silly.” I believe Athena forgot what having youngsters was like.
- The concept of getting to scrub afterward would make your complete haunted home a no for me.
- After all, Christopher now thinks Halloween is cringe. Youngsters!
- What’s this complete You by no means know when a door is gonna shut and when it does, it’s sealed factor? As a result of it appears like foreshadowing.
- Buck actually checked out that and went, that’s not scary. Candy summer season youngster.
- Bobby is really such a dad.
- Okay, however Hen’s second costume is definitely the good. In the meantime, Eddie isn’t even scary. He simply appears dumb.
- However did it’s a must to scream, Buck? Did you?
- “That was not my fault.” HA. I imply technically, it wasn’t, however good luck convincing anybody of that.
- Don’t you simply love how seamlessly Eddie and Buck work collectively?
- Okay, however I really like that Eddie simply desires to know when Buck might be again to work.
- And that he’s simply sitting there, an exasperated spouse certainly.
- I’m simply saying, Tommy’s customer badge vs. Eddie simply being there, no badge wanted as a result of he’s not a customer, he’s everlasting appears like A THING.
- Okay, Tommy, I might have laughed too, however the implication that you just laughed at Buck along with your buddies at work? No, no. If you happen to’re gonna giggle, do it to his face.
- Tommy caring for Buck was good, however Tommy not letting him end his story not a lot. Buck simply desires to be heard! And let me be clear, I don’t suppose there’s something malicious about it, both. He simply desires to fall asleep and Buck is simply speaking a few curse. However that doesn’t change the truth that …Buck desires to be heard, even when he’s speaking about one thing Tommy doesn’t agree with or discover that fascinating. Typically, you simply should hear.
- After all, Tommy referred to as Eddie. He’s the elephant within the room even when he isn’t within the room.
- Why did they’ve to chop the handshake?!
- Okay, however as humorous as it’s {that a}) Buck believed Eddie, b) Eddie was improper in regards to the timing, c) Buck simply desires to go rub that in his face, and d) Eddie simply pulled the cash out straight away, I simply wish to know …what is definitely on Buck’s face?
- Is Josh’s costume …only a mustache? Is he dressed like Eddie?
- The truth that Denny pushed Mara away from the automobile, saved her life, bought pinned, and continues to be extra fearful about Mara.
- Buck, are you, of all folks, actually asking if Hen needs to be the one with Denny proper now? Those that dwell in glass homes shouldn’t throw stones.
- This isn’t how I wished my Karen and Eddie second, however I’ll take it.
- I really like the second of everybody on the hospital, as a result of the place else would they be?
- The 118 group chat! Which, in fact, consists of Athena. Clearly Karen too. I’m not gonna say anything about that.
- “It’s a good looking factor having a crew like this behind you.” And truthfully, it looks like that’s what Tommy desires. However the emphasis could be very a lot on him being the outsider, trying in.
- “Individuals are what make life value dwelling.” Okay, however how will we go from this to relationship points? Inquiring minds wish to know. Like, I do know I simply talked about narrative intention, however that’s basic big-picture discuss. Within the brief time period, how?
- “I can’t think about something extra painful than going via life alone.” OUCH, BUCK. OUCH.
- You’re imagined to say you’d love him even with the boils, Tommy! (jk, jk)
- Me: I don’t have many points with Tommy this episode. Bullet factors: Are you positive?
Agree? Disagree? What did you consider 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 5 ‘Masks’? Share with us within the feedback beneath!
9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.