GayTV Recap: 9-1-1: Lone Star (Episode 1x3)

Episode 3 of the FOX drama 9-1-1: Lone Star continued to develop the character of T.K. Strand (played by Ronen Rubinstein). The fire fighting crew were on their way to rescue a man trapped in a corn silo. After learning of his previous experience with the unique danger, T.K.'s father, Captain Owen Strand (played by Rob Lowe) placed Judd in charge of the call, informing the rest of the team to follow his lead, including T.K., who appeared dismissive of the danger that could be had at the hands of corn. They arrived at the silo and Judd (played by Jim Parrack) led several of the team inside, attempting to dislodge the victim.

When his fellow first responder Marjan fell into the corn and began to sink quickly, Judd called for them to evacuate but T.K. disobeyed his order, unhooking his harness in an attempt to grab a hold of her hand. This caused both to be pulled under. Efforts outside the silo were successful in cutting it open, causing the corn to flow out, along with T.K., Marjan and the victim. With her hair exposed, the rest of the team provided a privacy barrier for Marjan so the Muslim could cover her head.

Back at the station, Judd lashed out at T.K. for not following his orders. T.K. snapped at Judd, reminding him that he's not his boss. Judd then accused T.K. of being unworthy of his position, which he implies that T.K. only got because of his father. This pushed T.K. over the edge and he pushed the bigger man. Their conflict almost came to blows, though they were broken apart. T.K. stormed off, annoyed.

That night, T.K. traveled to a bar looking to work out his frustrations. Despite warnings from his driver about the place, he went inside. Hearing two men at the bar mistreating a female bartender who in turn ignored their order, he stepped between the men and greeted her pleasantly, asking for a mineral water. After she warmly accepted his order, he then told the two annoyed men that she didn't respond to them because she didn't like what she saw in them. One of the men then threw a punch, which T.K. avoided. He took the opportunity to land his own punch, leading to a brawl with the men.

After getting bruised and arrested, T.K. was surprised when he was attended to at the police station by Officer Carlos Reyes (played by Rafael Silva), after their last romantic encounter ended with T.K. lashing out a him for wanting more than sex. T.K.'s former hookup informed him that it's a small town. He brought up T.K.'s name, Tyler Kennedy, saying it's the first real thing he's learned about him. T.K. figured Carlos processing him should be a conflict of interest. Carlos explained that the two men from the bar were not interested in talking about the fight and, given that T.K. passed the breath test showing he had no alcohol in his system, there was nothing he could be charged with. Carlos uncuffed him and gave him back his belongings.

Carlos told him he was free to go, but he urged T.K. to talk to someone. Carlos said that T.K. wasn't drunk, which means he picked that fight with a clear head. Carlos told him that he wasn't trying to be his boyfriend, or even his friend, but T.K. needed to seek some help given that his actions seemed extremely dangerous and suicidal. After helping T.K. clean up his face, Carlos' concern sparked something within T.K. and he apologized for his crazy behavior the last time they were together. Carlos told him he was used to crazy.

T.K. opened up about his break-up back in New York and how hard it hit him, causing him to relapse. He told him about his substance abuse history and Carlos realized that was the reason T.K. refused to drink with him. He apologized for putting him in that situation, but T.K. said it wasn't his fault. He's been in a funk since moving to Austin and he was out there tonight, just trying to feel something again.
 

Carlos joked that T.K. accomplished his mission, given what happened to his face. T.K. claimed that he couldn't believe he was busting his balls. Carlos agreed that he was, giving him a bit of a smile. This got T.K. smiling as well and he departed.

Later, Carlos hung out with his friend, paramedic captain Michelle, filling her in on his latest findings in relation to her sister's disappearance. After her frustration led her to drink more beer, he brought up the fact that she hadn't bothered to ask how things were going with his life after he provided a shoulder for her. Michelle apologized for being so one-sided with their friendship. She asked about what was new with him lately and he told her about his hookup with T.K. and the fail he experienced in trying to get to know him better. Sensing he was still interested, she urged him to swallow his pride and go after what he wanted.

Carlos & T.K. were later seen hanging out at the bar frequented by the first responders. Seeing T.K. angrily staring at Judd, Carlos tried to get to the bottom of his anger towards his crew mate. While throwing darts together, T.K. explained how Judd mistreated him, claiming he only had his job because of his dad. Carlos brought up how secure he had to feel having got up the courage to ask T.K. out again, only for him to talk about another man all night.

T.K. listed some of his biggest rescues and Carlos agreed that it all sounded great, but Carlos wondered why he's so upset. It was obvious that Judd hit a nerve with him. T.K. wondered if Carlos thought Judd was right about his behavior. Carlos turned it around on him, wondering if T.K. thought Judd might be right. This annoyed T.K. even more. He reminded Carlos to be careful because he still had the darts, which he pointed at him. Carlos smirked, playfully reminding him that he was packing heat.

After being convinced by his wife to make things right with T.K., Judd approached him at the fire station. He apologized and explained to T.K. that after losing the other members of his team, he was easy to panic, especially in the face of danger. He shared his fear for their safety, and T.K. thanked him for calling him out on his behavior. The two made amends, agreeing that they were brothers now.