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Talking Buddie Language: Ep 6.16

Tonight’s episode was mainly focused on Chimney and Maddie, so this meta isn’t going to be too long. There are some great moments between Buck and Eddie that one might’ve missed while watching the episode. But I think the parallels that were given to us in relation to canon couples is the main thing here we should all be focusing on!

Chimney Tells The Firefam He’s Gonna Propose

As I say every week, one of my favorite things about this show is when we have the team discussing their life problems at the station. I feel like this season, we’ve gotten to see it a bit more. Chimney letting the rest of the 118 know about his proposal plans was so sweet and you can clearly tell how they all love each other like a family.

Buck’s obvious excitement at the idea of Chim proposing to his sister was so lovely because he really loves his sister and wants her to be happy in life. He also shows his approval by embracing Chimney and celebrating the fact that they’re going to be real brothers-in-law.

The camera angles were the real MVP this entire episode when it came to Buck and Eddie. Just during this scene specifically, we got so many moments of Eddie being so damn fond and in love while looking at Buck. The way he looks at Buck hugging Chim and then smiles and turns to look at Hen just indicates that he’s happy because his partner is happy. Yes everyone else around them were also happy. But the fact that his main focus was on Buck was extremely loud.

That wasn’t even the only time he looked at Buck. Eddie has always been one to never take his eyes off Buck and something about this season has really intensified those looks even more.

B: Yeah, seriously this is amazing news. Congratulations, we're officially gonna be family. Come here brother-in-law.

C: Yes, yes very cool.

Oh Eddie, baby we get it, you're in love. At this point he's not even hiding it which really makes me question whether or not the rest of the team really doesn't see those loud heart eyes and what they think of it.

B: And don't you worry, we won't make you pick your best man just yet.

H: Hmmm I mean is there really a question?

B: Hen, that's my sister.

Literally Eddie does not take his eyes off of Buck the entire time he is being his cute little self. Even when Buck is not looking at him, Eddie can't help but to look at him and smile because Buck just makes him happy. It is so different from other seasons because Eddie would always smile his reserved little smile but do it in a way so that it was not very obvious to other's around him. Now, he does not care who sees because he just loves looking at Buck and he's done hiding it. Even when Buck is talking, Eddie still manages to look at him because he just can’t help himself.

(Gif by @eddiediaaz)

One thing I will say is that I find it very telling that they are having Eddie play a more pronounced role when it comes to this specific storyline because Eddie was also the one who pushed Chimney to tell Maddie he loved her. So the fact that Eddie is the one who not only prompts Chimney about his plans for the proposal, but he is also the one who gives him the advice out of the entire team, seems very deliberate.

R: It's kind of basic. No offense.

E: What he means is proposals are kind of a thing these days. Hey, you do what you wanna do. Just saying, it might be an opportunity.

B: Uh, uh a huge opportunity. Maddie deserves something she's gonna remember forever. You both do. No, no you cannot propose without a plan.

Buck and Eddie are once again proving just how connected they are. Not only are they always in sync. but they even finish each other's thoughts/sentences. I find their body language very telling considering Eddie's head is always tilted towards Buck this entire scene and Buck so easily points at Eddie like it's just natural for them. Nothing about their little interaction at the station was awkward and it really drove home the fact that they are literal partner's on and off the field. So even if there is any doubt in an episode that may not focus on Buck and Eddie, we still get easy communication with seamless body language to remind us.

I also believe this scene with Eddie talking to Chim is going to foreshadow a possible scenario in the finale where they may be stuck someplace together during the disaster. I feel like this episode alone really wanted to make it known that Eddie and Chim will have a heart to heart type scene in the future where it is likely that Chimney will finally "pay it forward" and give Eddie some advice of his own.

Proposal Talks In The Firetruck

I am sorry but personal space who?!?! Buck and Eddie do NOT know her. I really felt like I was watching an intimate moment between those two in the truck. They literally seemed so crammed that I kept yelling "Slot your legs together"!!

I will say the body language between Buck and Eddie was so relaxed and intimate in the sense where they were comfortable being that attached together. Which means that they are used to sitting that close with each other. The ease in which they were speaking right after the other and in each others' personal space really indicates open trust and familiarity. I know they work together and that closeness can stem from that. However, when you consider how Buck has his arm stretched out towards Eddie, and Eddie in return has his arm close to Buck, there is a distinct difference compared to how everyone else is sitting. I know they're both big guys, but Buck isn't even touching Ravi's arm, nor are Chim and Hen touching each other. Meanwhile there is not an ounce of space between Buck and Eddie. This is what I was talking about a few weeks back when I mentioned how two bodies tend to seek the other out when there's love and trust and attraction there. In a somewhat tight knit space, we do not get any ounce of discomfort out of Buck or Eddie. On the contrary, they seem to be totally at ease and even smile at each other while the other is talking.

(Gif by @matan4il)

Eddie agreeing with Buck's ideas is something we always see on the show. I love how he not only smiles as Buck is talking, but then turns towards him and points at Buck while he is suggesting a flash mob as if it is the most brilliant thing he's ever heard. It is so domestic and shows how these two are each other's person because Eddie would support Buck through any and all of his ideas. We love great supportive partners and they constantly show their unconditional support for the other.

I found the choice to have the camera pan to Eddie and Buck right after Bobby says, "Couldn’t ask for a clearer sign that you two are meant to be together." I mean sure it could have been totally coincidentally. But this season especially, the camera angles have been SO deliberate in what they highlight. And choosing that transition to focus on only Eddie and Buck was very telling in my opinion.

I was waiting for Eddie's proposal story because I had a hunch since 6.14 that he most likely proposed to Shannon because they got pregnant and I was proven correct today.

E: I had a pretty clear sign too. Shannon got pregnant. When she told me the news, I said we should get married. Barely even asked.

Oh the way Buck was looking at Eddie with the biggest, most fondest eyes on his face was hilarious considering Eddie was talking about how he proposed to his wife. Buck had to divert his eyes away from Eddie, almost as if looking too long would burn his eyes or something. But the smile on his face was so sweet because I know he was thinking of a younger Eddie finding out he's going to be a father and doing what he thought was the right thing for him to do. It really makes me sad knowing that Eddie has never once chosen to be with someone for his own needs. But that is why I feel like this is all a part of Eddie's storyline for this season. We know he does not want to be alone but that is why it is so important for him to finally realize that he needs to choose a partner that he wants to. A partner that will make him happy, a partner who will understand him and love him and know he is enough for them. And the fact that the camera chose to focus on Buck smiling like a fool in love just highlights that he's most likely already found that partner.

Buck verses Hen

I honestly feel like the whole Buck vs Hen thing was sort of unnecessary and created angst where it shouldn’t have been. As a viewer and an avid observer, it’s clear that they were being defendant of their loved one without understanding where the other was coming from. There was a clear lack of communication between the two of them and it really highlighted how different their conversation is to that of Hen and Chim’s, and Buck and Eddie’s. There’s almost never any miscommunication between Buck and Eddie, nor with Hen and Chimney.

As I mentioned earlier, this episode made way to more parallels between canon couples and Buck and Eddie. Not only that, but it used specific examples that as you watched, you couldn’t help but think of Buck and Eddie and the stuff they’ve been through.

B: Hen how can you even think that after everything they been through? How far they've come. Do you remember where they were a year ago?

H: I do. Maddie was gone and Chimney was raising Jee-Yen alone.

B: Maddie was going through a lot and you know that.

H: I know, she was sick. And I know that was terrifying and overwhelming for her. But the choice she made gutted Chimney.

B: And he forgave her.

H: Of course he did.

B: Because he loves her.

Now a few things that are very boldly sticking out to me with the words these two are saying. We all remember how heavily Maddie and Chimney were paralleled with Buck and Eddie last season. What with Maddie struggling with her ppd and Eddie with his ptsd, we got both of them leaving their respective jobs and partners to work on getting better. Both Eddie and Maddie were going through a lot and with Buck telling Hen that they've come so far since last year, a part of me believes he's also speaking about his own personal experience with a partner that left to get help for himself. He and Eddie are in a much better place now than they were a year ago and a part of me believes that this conversation was loaded with parallels to their own experiences the prior year in addition to that of Maddie and Chim's.

One more thing that these specific word choices reminded me of is Buck and Eddie's make up conversation in 3.06. When Buck was pleading Eddie to just talk to him, Eddie explained where is frustration and hurt was coming from. So when Buck follows with an apology, what does Eddie say almost immediately?

B: But I get it. And I really am sorry. For whatever it takes for you to forgive me.

E: Oh I forgive you. Also what it means to be a part of a team. Just don't do it again.

Eddie forgiving Buck almost immediately because he loves him is exactly why Chimney immediately forgave Maddie. The parallels between the two instances is insane to me because whereas Chimney's love for Maddie is obvious and loud, making his quick forgiveness understandable, Eddie's love for Buck is quiet and private. That's why him immediately forgiving Buck was not seen as a result of his love for him at that time. But now, considering this conversation between Buck and Hen, one cannot consider Eddie's quick forgiveness for anything other than the simple fact that he loves Buck. And sometimes you got to forgive those you love because you got to make your peace understanding why they did the things they did. To make it even more important, it’s the fact that Buck is the one justifying Chim’s immediate forgiveness as a reason for his love for his sister. Which begs the question on whether or not he believes the reason why Eddie forgave him so quickly back in season three was because he knows Eddie loves him in a different way or not?

B: You're still blaming Maddie.

H: I'm not blaming her. All I'm saying is that their relationship has been one trauma after the other from the beginning. Maybe they both need to heal from that before jumping into marriage.

B: What do you think the last year has been for them?

Now who else's relationship has had one trauma after another after another since the beginning?? Oh yeah, Buck and Eddie's. These two, alongside their son, have been through a number of traumatic events together and they're still healing with each other. Hen saying that to Buck was very loud because it's showing the viewers the similarities of Buck and Eddie's relationship with that of an actual couple's on the show. They could not be louder if they tried at this point.

The Case of The Missing Ring

I really enjoyed how fun this episode was especially when Chimney realized he lost the ring. Having the entire team searching the station for the engagement ring was hilarious and it reminded me of the treasure hunt episode.

I will emphasize how once again I find it super telling and believe it to be a bit of a foreshadowing, having Eddie be the one to tell Chimney to propose without thinking too much of it, even if he smells bad.

E: And when she sees that ring, she’ll forget about how do you smell.

The focus on Eddie and Chimney really does seem to be important throughout the episode. Which really does make me believe that we are going to get another important scene between time before the end of the season.

The theme of time has been following Eddie around for seasons now and just this season we’ve had many instances where he talks about time. Once more, this episode proved that there’s something about time following Eddie when he looks over at Ravi, fully exasperated as any older brother and tells him, “Not the time.” This makes me question what about the present is not the right time for Eddie? Is it perhaps the fact that he may be pining for his best friend and knows deep within that now is not the time for them to be together? Or is it Eddie telling the universe that now is not the time to make his feelings known no matter how badly he wants to? I think this also foreshadows Eddie possibly running out of time to say or do something life changing by the finale and it may be up to Chimney to help Eddie realize that and encourage him to act before that time is up.

Buck and Hen having another back and forth conversation at the station was, in my opinion not needed. They’re never going to come to the same understanding because both of them feel strongly about Chim and Maddie in their own ways. But I know it was all to set the stage for Chimney and Hen’s little angsty moment about why Hen isn’t being as supportive as she should be considering she’s Chim’s best friend.

C: It’s always the ones that are closest to you.

I love that when Chimney says this to everyone, you can see Eddie’s immediate reaction to that comment. He disagrees with Chimney’s statement because he trusts the one closest to him and knows without a doubt that Buck would never hide something from him. That there’s no instance in which Eddie would even question Buck’s loyalty or his actions. That’s why you see him subtly shake his head and look around, almost in a way as if he were asking everyone else, “Can you believe him?”

The final moment in which Buck looks over at Hen in disappointment and then over at Chim shows how hurt he really is about the turn of events. He not only wants his sister to be happy but also one of his closest friends and he can’t seem to understand where Hen is coming from. Which isn’t to say he’s wrong and she’s right. It just means they both have strong feelings about Maddie and Chimney and can’t see the other’s side for the time being. I also think we’re going to get a moment where these two are stuck together during the finale or have to work together to save Chim and Eddie. Something about the deliberate pairings of Chim with Eddie and Buck with Hen this season really makes me believe we’ll get important moments of these new partnerships in the finale.

One final thing I’ll say is how this entire episode heavily focused on Chim and Hen’s friendship. The reason I’m mentioning that is because it’s so vastly different to that of Buck and Eddie’s friendship. Whereas Hen and Chim have such love and devotion to each other, it’s solely platonic and based off years of partnership. None of their conversations have that underlying romantic theme. They talk about some deep issues and there are tears involved but it’s simply two best friends discussing real issues because they trust each other.

Whereas any time we’ve seen Buck and Eddie have a deep conversation, especially this year, it rings more of a couple than just two friends talking. There’s that touch of intimacy behind their talks that one can’t mistake for anything other than deep love they have for each other that is not only based off years of partnership but also romantic love they have for each other. One cannot simply compare Chim and Hen to Buck and Eddie because one is a clear example of a healthy and strong friendship, while the other is an example of a budding romantic relationship based on a foundation of years long friendship.

Finally, I’m including this comment from Chimney about the universe because I once again believe this is going to come back in the finale and relate to not only him, but to Buck and/or Eddie as well.

C: No, the universe is trying to tell me something.

It seems as though the underlying theme this season has been the universe trying to tell all of them something but no one’s listening. Chimney voicing this means he’s finally in a place to just listen and allow the universe to guide him into what is meant to be. Now imagine if other people just listened to what the universe has been trying to tell them for years now? Well, something tells me by the finale, more members of the firefam will be faced with the powers of the universe and be left with no choice but to finally listen.

If you got through all of this, once again thank you very much. It means so much to me that anyone cares to take time to read these that I put so much work into! Thanks to the lovely @aa-lionheart for always providing me with beautiful gifs. I couldn’t do this without her support 💜 If you would like to be notified about these weekly metas, please let me know here!

#oh yes 100% with hen and Chim there’s always always a ‘you’re my best friend’ moment and their friendship is emphasized #whereas buck and Eddie never have that #great as always!!#this ep was so good

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