#8x05 Masks

[poolofunidentifiedfluid]

seeing your best friend in the hospital after the last time he was there actively on life support. you had to sneak your son in there to talk to him because he may never get to again. breaking down crying about that. it HAS to be traumatic to see buck in the hospital again even if it is for just a dislocated shoulder. there was no way eddie was leaving his side after the last time he went to the hospital with buck he was actively trying to restart his heart

[carolinahope]

8x05 Masks

I have to say they managed the shift from Halloween fun to seriousness really well. And it felt organic and impactful.

It is interesting how racist tree #3 managed to be both better and worse than the teaser and stills suggested. He was there for Buck (way more than I could stomach but brownie points, I guess) but he was still condescending and treating him as a kid and constantly puzzled by him. And I cannot wait till he is gone.

The contrast to Eddie who rolled his eyes but kinda rolled with the crazy and was definitely not surprised by it, was rather telling. Though them laughing in the hospital was a little mean. It's like they wanted to remind us Eddie is friends with #3. But other than that, the scene was a gift and Oliver looked extra yummy in it.

I also really appreciated the costumes. Cap Dracula was funny. Cowboy Buck and his drawl. And Aisha as a crazy scientist was first class. Adored the Dorothy & co. costumes. Loved Chim's enthusiasm and I really need him and Buck to team up on something supernatural related and be excited and scared about it all. Also, nice crow call-back.

BTW, how many times had Bobby said Buck, Eddie this episode. Cause in the first half it was like he was saying nothing else.

It was interesting to see Athena not be the commanding presence we are used to from her. Though she is right, it is hard to interest stupid. It was an interesting full circle.

I liked the way how kids growing up was woven into the whole episode. This episode yet again proved that the Wilsons are both family and couple's goals. It was so fucking heartbreaking to see Denny pinned and everyone panicking about it. For a second there I thought they will let him die and I was preparing pitchforks.

They need some TLC and peace, please. I want to see more of them, always but just let them be happy.

I do appreciate them acknowledging that there are rules, even if they break them in the next breath.

And I also need more of Maddie. I need an episode centered around dispatch. I need to see her and Josh being competent and kick ass. Or maybe even see them outside of dispatch.

Apart from that one boil, it was a really wonderful episode. Kudos to the music department and the costume and make up departments as well. Even if they sacrificed Oliver's chest hair.

And Buck fucking gave Eddie lube.

[abrieftasteoflove]

When I saw that split second shot of Eddie's costume in the promo I totally thought he was Vladislav. The more I look at it the more I don't think so, but it would've made me so happy.

[buckbisexually]

buck's bad luck is so real he buys a dummy as a halloween decoration and it turns out it's a real actual corpse. like who else does that happen to

[sherry-cleo-salvadore]

So, with this new preview, I think it is safe to say Tommy is team Eddie on the topic of curses - but he is going to be the very supportive cheerleader but sarcastically sassy boyfriend we know him to be, even when he is 'weirded out'.

[buddieisgoingcanon25]

BUDDIE BUDDIE BUDDIE 8x05 SCENE..

[drasticemotions]

SURELY SOMETHING FUCKING HAPPENS

[buckaroo627]

Late, from 911 8x05 Masks: 'No eye contact with Buck' Eddie Diaz

What's up with you Eddie? Been looking at Buck but there were times you're not making any eye contact... someone should find evidence if he's been doing this since Season 2, concluding this as a normal behavior. I can't recall any...

[rosstrytobe]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN RYLIVER/BUDDIE NATIONS 🥳❤️

[prongs1311]

unfortunately i will never stop talking about 8x05, specifically the hospital scene where buck actively moved away towards eddie and tried to cover up when his boyfriend walked into the room.

i will never stop talking about the significance of tommy’s visitor badge and eddies lack of one, and how it symbolises that eddie is a permanent fixture in buck’s life, and tommy is not.

i will also never stop talking about the boils scene in buck’s kitchen, and the way he looked at eddie when his long term boyfriend is RIGHT NEXT TO HIM.

[elysiumnotes]

So I’ve seen some speculation on here and TikTok that since s8 seems to be doing a lot of parallels and callbacks to Buck and Eddie’s greatest traumas (aka, The Well callback in 8x06 and 8x07’s promo showing what could be a callback to the lightning strike), we might see another callback to the shooting.

If that is the case, I want Buck to be the one that gets hit this time. No offense to him, but I do like adding angst to my fav characters.

Also other than a break up (which also wasn’t really that bad) he’s been sitting pretty and happy since s6, so he’s due for some trauma.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Masks!!!!

I have so many thoughts

Masks - can represent both transformation and concealment - and there is the concept of people wearing more than one mask - wearing different ones depending on the situation.

The show has several times referred to the first responders uniforms as being a type of mask and played on the idea of people being more than their uniform or people hiding behind their uniform - it is a kind of mask.

Then there is the fact that a mask is a major part of the firefighters kit - which is a full face mask that supplies oxygen and protects their face from the heat of a fire - it feels like a very obvious angle to consider. Especially when you think of buck taking off his mask in order to save Sal in buck begins. So I’m thinking we’re going to get something that plays into the idea of taking off a mask and putting g yourself in danger.

Something something something about removing protection but also about removing oxygen - something about removing the thing that keeps you alive but only doing it when you have no other choice - the idea of taking off your oxygen suply in order to live.

Which all rather plays into Eddie’s arc rather perfectly - especially if this is indeed the episode in which he shaves off his moustache. Then there are multiple metaphors behind the mask - with moustaches being the only facial hair firefighters can have.

The idea of Eddie realising his ‘face mask/ oxygen’ is compromised and the only way to survive is to take it off - cut off the oxygen supply. The mask being both a metaphor for the protective masks Eddie has been wearing all his life as well as a metaphor for his mothers treatment of him - Eddie has been inadvertently breathing in her ‘oxygen’ and by removing the mask and stopping breathing in that oxygen he is freeing himself of her control and allowing himself a chance to escape and live his life on his own terms.

Masks are also fitting with Helena as well - her mask slipping and her true intentions being revealed - removing the mask covering Eddie’s eyes.

There could also be a play on masks with Christopher as well - his mask of anger and hurt etc (which he’s entitled and justified in having) finally starts to slip and fade - tying into the Helena and Eddie mask metaphors as well.

Not to mention that masking is a term often used to describe autistic experiences- the idea of wearing a mask to fit in with your environment- of mimicking people in said environment in order to fit in/ to blend in and go unnoticed. Autistics often describe not knowing g who they are because they just wear masks all the time - until they burn out from the energy consumption that takes.

Doesn’t that perfectly describe Eddie?!!

[prettysophist]

I can definitely see why Oliver said Tommy wasn't going to be much help this episode, this is so fucking annoying. Dump his patronising ass Buck, you can do better.

[daniwib]

SHIRTLESS BUCK?

SHIRTLESS BUCK!

SHIRTLESS BUCK IN HOSPITAL??

SHIRTLESS BUCK IN HOSPITAL!!

SHIRTLESS BUCK IN HOSPITAL WITH BOTH HIS BOYS??!!

It’s not Halloween, it’s Christmas come early and what a gift 911 is giving us!

[achilles-rage]

evan buckley when he learned the real story behind billy boils

[sherry-cleo-salvadore]

Tommy is looking at Buck like, 'Oh he is a little crazy, but I kinda like it. Lord, I'll have to make sweet sweet love to my man once I get him home so he realizes he is far from cursed.'