9-1-1: Lone Star Review: Bad Call (Season 2 Episode 8)

With 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 2 Episode 8, “Bad Call,” Carlos Reyes gets his moment in the spotlight, and Rafael Silva takes it and runs. 

We don’t get much of Carlos at all so it’s a nice change of pace having him be the major focus of the episode. What makes it even more special is that he isn’t the side story attached to TK — which does happen more often than not.

In fact, Carlos’ story starts off seeming tragic — after his breakdown earlier this season where he admits to TK that his parents have accepted him but not really — and quickly turns into the most heartwarming tale.

Witnessing Silva run through all the emotions of questioning his own judgment, dealing with his father not trusting him, TK missing, then finally the relief that comes with TK being found is like a symphony. 

We can ride this journey with Carlos because Silva makes us feel every little moment and each minuscule change to his emotions. 

Up to this point, Carlos has been the emotionally guarded, steadfast, and strong one. Now the tables have been flipped and he is freaking out about his own troubles, and the fate of his boyfriend as well. 

That vulnerability taking center stage is vitally important to the ebb and flow of Carlos’ character. Without it, he will continue to stagnate and remain two-dimensional. 

Viewers need to see him confront his father on a professional level to really see how they relate to one another on a personal one. It’s clear there is love and respect between them, but it’s not all warm and fuzzy like we are accustomed to with Owen and TK.

It takes a scene with Owen and Carlos discussing his decisions to really highlight just how different the two fathers are. This moment solidifies that Owen will always protect and love the ones that his son has deemed important. 

As far as he is concerned, Carlos is already family.

There is a bond there that is different than the one Owen and TK share, but similar at the same time. Instead of judging Carlos for the call that he made, Strand hands him the tools to trust his own gut — which as anyone knows, is vastly more important.

The look on Silva’s face as Carlos hears his father tell him he is proud of him is a look that I want to be framed and placed on my wall. It is that cinematically pleasing — the hope, the love, the relief all mixed into one. 

9-1-1: Lone Star could have easily made Carlos another “tragic gay story” where his father never fully accepts him on the level that he truly needs. However, the show doesn’t and instead, goes for the soft and surprising “you picked a good one” moment.

By not making Carlos’ story a tragedy, the show is saying that not all LGBTQ+ stories need to have a tragic spin to be real and relatable. Instead, unwavering love and support are just as exciting to see. 

After “Bad Call,” I am 100% certain that Silva has great onscreen chemistry with both Rubenstein and Lowe. So, let’s take this knowledge and give Silva more screen time — it’s what his talents deserve. 

It’s going to be great to see #Tarlos have future moments with Carlos’ family as well as TK’s. It may even create one big family united by the love their sons share. 

A family united provides a strength that Carlos may need more often than he lets on. It’ll allow him to lean on someone else for a change, instead of always being the strong one of the group.

The only thing I ask is that in the future can TK not get hurt? I’m tired of seeing my sweet man in the hospital. 

Minor Emergencies:

• Judd and Grace better be okay or I swear to all that is holy…
• I’m so proud of TK for making it to one year of sobriety. 
• After seeing the team in action at a fire call I realize that we don’t see the team tackle fires like that often enough for my liking. They are firefighters, but it has been a while — barring the wildfire — since they’ve fought a blaze.
• Don’t mess with Tommy Vega.

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What did you think of this episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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9-1-1: Lone Star returns April 19th at 9/8c on FOX

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