Tommy was never a good guy in 9-1-1 – So why are we pretending he was? 

Lou Ferrigno Jr.’s Tommy Kinard became a recurring character in 9-1-1 Season 7, proving to be an asset in helping the LAFD Station 118 during some of the most intense accidents and disasters.

Between Tommy and Buck's relationship and the former showing up to help secure the antidote Chimney needed in 9-1-1 Season 8, fans might have forgotten Tommy's beginning, but he was never a good guy.

While Tommy is now a Pilot, he was once a firefighter with the 118 under Captain Gerrard, when Henrietta Wilson and Howard Han were just starting with the 118.

Tommy's initial attitude towards both Hen and Chimney was dismissive and even racist, and 9-1-1 never acknowledged it before bringing the character into the story's fold.

While Tommy now shows signs of improvement, one cannot forget his beginnings, especially the bullying he subjected the show's main cast, including Hen and Chimney.

More on this in our story.

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Tommy was racist and dismissive towards Chimney and Hen in 9-1-1

While the 118 became a wholesome family and a welcome place for all firefighters under Captain Bobby Nash's captaincy, it was a lot different under Gerrard's regime. Glimpses of the past 118 can be seen throughout Season 1, which featured dedicated episodes to the main characters' backstories.

In addition to these episodes being some of the best 9-1-1 episodes, it also exposed Tommy's initial bias towards Chimeny and Hen during their episodes.

Hen had long been a neglected character under Gerrard's captaincy, marginalised because of her colour, s*xuality, and gender.

While Gerrard and the other firefighters were dismissive of Hen, Tommy also joined them and spoke dismissively of her, until she hijacked an engine and demanded that her colleagues respect her.

While Tommy had a dismissive attitude towards Hen in Season 1, his attitude towards Chimney was even problematic. When Chimney was a probie, Tommy made a racist joke, saying he must be there to deliver food.

Only after Probie Chimney saved his life during a 9-1-1 call that Tommy start giving him respect, which does not make his behaviour change justified.

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Tommy was never given a redemption arc in 9-1-1

While we saw glimpses of Tommy's problematic behaviour, he became a recurring character in Season 7. When the show explored Buck's bis*xual storyline, Tommy became an important character as he was Buck's first boyfriend.

In addition, he also helped Hen and the 118 find Bobby and Athena's ship when the couple were on their honeymoon. While Tommy had been dismissive to both Hen and Chimeny, they both just accepted him when he became Buck's boyfriend, without any apology.

Tommy explained the reasons behind his behaviour in the past, as he was afraid of Gerrard's captaincy style and wanted to fit in the 118, but this still does not justify his behaviour towards Hen and Chimeny.

In fact, 9-1-1 had the opportunity to redeem Tommy's character as he was helping Buck realise his bis*xuality and was slowly becoming friends with the 118. This was the perfect opportunity for him to own up to his past behaviour and apologise to both Hen and Chimeny, but the show did not explore this arc for his character.

In addition, when Tommy realises that Buck is still not comfortable in his s*xuality and might have feelings for his best friend Eddie, he breaks up with him. Instead of helping Buck realise his feelings or supporting him after Bobby's death in 9-1-1 Season 8, Tommy simply leaves him.

If Tommy continues to be a recurring character in the procedural, the show must acknowledge his past behaviour and try to redeem his character.

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