Tommy Kinard first appeared in the 9-1-1 season 2 episode “Hen Begins” as a rude coworker, contributing to the former 118’s toxic work environment. After Hen joined the LAFD, she was met with a rude awakening by her predominantly white male firehouse, who quickly dismissed her. Throughout the episode, Tommy persuades Hen and speaks disparagingly of her, culminating in a scene where Hen hijacks an engine to announce her dedication to her station and demand that they “see” her. Hen’s character in 9-1-1 has consistently been ignored and overlooked, and it began on her first day with the 118.
Sadly, Tommy’s behavior worsened in Chimney’s backstory, “Chimney Begins” (which is regarded as one of 9-1-1’s best episodes of all time). When Chimney first joins the 118, Tommy makes a racist remark about how Chimney must be there to deliver food. Alongside the rest of the team, Tommy ignores Chimney until the “probie” (probationary firefighter) saves his life. Only then does Tommy deem Chimney worthy of his attention, breaking the silence with a less-than-warm greeting. Throughout Hen and Chimney’s backstory episodes, Tommy was never a good person— he was merely the best of the worst.
One of the first romances in 9-1-1 was between Buck and Abby, and their relationship was a bit controversial due to their age difference.
Tommy's Relationship With Buck & New Perspective Shouldn't Be Used As A Pass For His Past Sins
Tommy Can't Make Amends By Ignoring His Past
Rather than reintroduce Tommy slowly and include a developed redemption arc for him, the former 118 firefighter suddenly appeared in 9-1-1 season 7’s opening emergency as an LAFD Air Operations pilot. After helping to execute Hen’s plan to save Bobby and Athena (Angela Bassett) from their sinking ship, Tommy quickly becomes one of Buck’s romantic partners in 9-1-1, kick-starting the short arc of Buck realizing his bisexuality. Instead of truly exploring that identity and what it means for Buck’s character, 9-1-1 simply had Buck and Tommy immediately start dating and fade into the background.
Tommy was Buck's first boyfriend, but they weren't the first gay couple in 9-1-1's main cast, as Hen and Karen (Tracie Thoms) have been married since before the series began.
Evan "Buck" Buckley has been a central character in 9-1-1 since the series began, but his characterization hasn't always been the most consistent.
Even during their breakup, Tommy never added anything of value to the plot as a standalone character. Buck and Tommy were never in the running to be 9-1-1’s best couple, but at least on dates, Tommy contributed to a larger idea (in that he facilitated Buck’s bi-awakening). As a character, Tommy was nothing more than a one-dimensional love interest who happened to have a documented history of discrimination and bigotry. The two never overlapped, and 9-1-1 seemed eager to treat them as separate entities altogether. Yet, avoiding Tommy’s past makes his 9-1-1 character so much worse.
How 9-1-1 Season 9 Can Properly Redeem Tommy
Confrontation Is The First Step
It would be easy to inject Tommy into heartwarming 9-1-1 moments and hope that audiences grow to accept his inclusion, but there will always be those holding a grudge— understandably so, as Tommy has effectively gotten away with bigotry without showing any real remorse. Even Gerrard, who was the ringmaster of discriminatory policies, was offered somewhat of a redemption arc in 9-1-1 season 8 after he helped Bobby reclaim his spot as the 118’s captain. The difference between Gerrard and Tommy’s “redemption” is concerning, as it implies 9-1-1 assumed Tommy being gay would simply be enough to redeem him.
-1743382980-q80.webp "REPORT: Karen Huger Is “Terrified” of Being Targeted by Inmates in Prison and is “Drowning in Legal Bills” as She Faces Panic Attacks and Insomnia")
