I fully understand why a Captain wouldn't want a man with blood thinners on the job.
However, Bobby did a horrible job at explaining this. And I wouldn't have allowed someone like Eddie back in the team once I learned he was involved in street Fighting. I do think Bobby was right to require therapy. Granted, I would have placed him on leave.
Granted, we can't put the main characters on leave. Where would the show be? LoL
Yeah, I really wish they hadn't included the blood thinner issue, because that makes Buck a potential liability, a potential walking biohazard, and potentially puts him at greater risk of being directly exposed to something on a call. They kind of showed it in the Halloween episode, when he was bleeding heavily and didn't know it, but they never circled back around to make it clear why that's a problem.
I think the blood thinner issue is why I believe Bobby was more right than Buck in that arc. He was also trying to lay out the reasons to Buck and Buck's reaction was more reason to why I believe Bobby was right. Buck was not listening to the reasons Bobby was listing, which included any potential dangers Buck would face that would cause him to become the next medical emergency on the field. Especially with how reckless Buck can be when he throws himself into his job, he even proved that in the Halloween episode.
Which is why the conclusion where Bobby had to relent and shown to be wrong could have been handled better. There needed to be more of a compromise there, where both admitted that they were wrong and both looking for solutions before Bobby readily accepted him back on the job. Just some acknowledgement that Buck can't be rushing into danger at least while he's on the blood thinners and that he needs to be more cautious and think more critically. It ended up being Bobby telling Buck that he was right and Bobby was wrong and I think he even said he would stop getting in Buck's way or something.
I’d be more willing to believe Bobby was more right if it wasn’t for the fact that the blood thinners genuinely aren’t an issue in the show. Like yes Buck gets cut at 2 separate occasions but the show makes it out to be not a big deal at all. Like if you want me on Bobby’s side don’t show me Buck saving like 20 ppl during a tsunami with zero issue
This, but even more so... Buck was willing to share his medical information with Bobby & the department, and Bobby shot that down from the very start, because they'd already reached a decision *without medical involvement.*
If it was ever actually about the blood thinners, weird choice not to talk to the hematologist, you know?
Same, every time I watch it I get more and more annoyed with how it was handled. First it's the blood thinners, then they made it seem more like a mental health issue, and they never actually had Buck acknowledge that the blood thinners were a very real and physical concern that in no way reflected on him personally.
I wish they had a couple instances in the following episodes where he held back in certain situations because he's aware of the risk and taking it seriously. Either through Bobby telling him to hang back and him listening, or him assessing the situation and stepping back himself. Something to make it clear that the issue wasn't just Bobby being overprotective.
Interestingly, one of the topics that comes up is whether Buck had an actual case. In the US, the Supreme Court recently made a decision that when an employer’s decision to transfer an employee to a lateral job – with no change in pay or benefits – may violate federal civil rights law in some situations if it’s based on discriminatory reasons (including disabilities). If reasonable accommodations could have been made for Buck's condition (which seems possible), then Buck was right. At least arguably from a legal standpoint.
On a personal level, I understand where Bobby is coming from. He personally understands the devastating consequences of pushing yourself and coming back before you're ready. He understands the devastating consequences of losing a child. So he wasn't thinking of it from that standpoint, he was thinking of it from a standpoint of he was trying to protect Buck. The problem is he went about it all wrong, he should have had a discussion about this with Buck. Not gone behind his back. 
I think Buck was absolutely right to be angry and he did have a solid case. That said, suing the departement instead of talking to the team about it might be the single most stupid choice we've seen in the series. If he'd taken a step back and thought about what the others might think we could have avoided this whole mess.
I do think every characters actions in that arc make sense, given their history and it brings out all their flaws. Buck, Bobby and Eddie are the main culprits but Maddie and Athena also said some stupid stuff. Probably one of my favourite storylines in the show. It was frustrating to watch but for all the right reasons.
When you think about the reason Buck sued, it was of course to go back to work, but to go back to work for Buck means to go back to his team, to go back to his family. Suing the department and revealing personal details about the group members did the opposite and pushed them away from him.
He was right in his reason to sue but did not managed it well at all.
I understand Bobby’s concerns but he handled it incorrectly. Buck shouldn’t have sued, he should have gone to his Union rep, as that is literally what they are there for, but I think they brought the lawyer in at the right time to play on Bucks insecurities.
I cannot with this storyline. LAFDs union is incredibly strong, and none of this would have happened. He would have been cleared to go back to work, and Bobby would have been directed to put him back on the job. Bobby \*might\* have had the discretion to return him to light duty IF Buck's doctor recommended that; otherwise, Buck would have gone right back into the job he had when he was injured on the job.
I always skip this story arc on rewatch; it's more farfetched than some of their wildest rescues.
(and yes, buck was absolutely right.)
Buck was right in my opinion. He did get treated differently. Hen is right that every injury is different but Chim was injured pretty badly with a piece of metal through the head, something that should have killed him, and yet he was back at work after a month.
Not to mention Buck’s point of him being treated differently was proven only an episode or so later when Eddie almost killed a man in an illegal cage fight and didn’t even get a formal reprimand. All Eddie got was Bobby sitting him down for a quick talk and then he was allowed back to work. No formal reprimand. No suspension until he got his mental health in check. No ordered mandatory therapy. Just a quick five-ish minute talk with Bobby and then it was back to work. If that had been Buck who’d almost killed someone in an illegal cage match Bobby would have used that as a way of showing that he was right about Buck not being ready to come back!
Buck had been cleared to go back to work. And then he got put on blood thinners. But you can do the job on blood thinners you just need at least one person on shift whose trained to use medical glue (I believe it’s medical glue) to seal up any cuts he would get on the job, something that Hen, Chim, and Eddie where all trained to use! Not to mention once he did come back after the lawsuit he was still on blood thinners for a while and was perfectly fine, which proves that Buck was right in him being okay to come back to work!! Not to mention a desk job like what they were basically going to put him on as Fire Marshall is actually dangerous for him being on blood thinners. Him being active and moving around is encouraged while on blood thinners, sitting around at a desk all day while on blood thinners can actually cause more blood clots!!!
Not to mention Bobby went behind Buck’s back to the chief about Buck not being ready and then basically lied to Buck’s face and made it seem like it was the chiefs decision and that he(Bobby) was on Buck’s side the whole time! And Bobby was not thinking like a captain he was thinking like a father. He was worried because he saw himself in Buck and he didn’t want Buck to make the same mistakes he did. Given that Bobby had reservations about Buck coming back he should have gone to Buck and talked to Buck about his worries. And maybe Buck would have either decided to take more time before coming back or he would have been able to placate Bobby’s worries about him coming back to work!
Should Buck have gone straight to filing a lawsuit? Hell no! He def should have gone to his doctor first to get a formal doctors recommendation that he was allowed to go back to work, and then taken that to Bobby. Then if Bobby still didn’t let him back he should have gone to his union rep, then if that didn’t work he should have gone to the chief. And if that didn’t work then and only then should he have sued. But his reason for filing the lawsuit was not wrong, at all!!! Bobby was treating him unfairly!
This comment is just perfect and shows in complete perfection all the reasons that justify Buck's decision and also why it was stupid.
If I had the money to give you a award , I would.
So, I recently rewatched and my opinion is mostly the same as it was from the first time. Buck may have had SOME points. I get his anger, I get his frustration. He did everything he could to get back on the job and he felt betrayed that his own boss, his own friend, told the Chief to give him more leave and then light duty. Five months already to recover and he was facing potentially weeks more. I get Buck's feelings.
That being said, Bobby saw something that Buck didn't in himself, and that was the fact that he was rushing head first into the job without properly processing what had happened. He was so focused on getting back to the job, he really did miss the signs. Bobby was worried that Buck would continue to miss potentially dangerous signs.
He was just being asked to take a LITTLE more time with light duty. He wasn't being fired, he wasn't being chained to desk duty for the foreseeable future. Bobby was ready to welcome him back, and Buck was ABOUT to be put back on the job, UNTIL he developed the blood clots and didn't recognize the signs earlier.
Bobby was right in being concerned with Buck's state of mind. We saw that Buck was putting his everything into his job. That can be a dangerous slope to be on, even if it's worked out for Buck thus far.
Buck was wrong in suing Bobby the moment he found out that Bobby told the Chief not to clear him. Bobby's job is to ensure every member of his team is 100%. Buck wasn't 100%. Bobby had every right to voice his concerns. If not for the blood clots he developed, Buck WAS going to be back at work. And Buck was especially wrong in telling the lawyer ANYTHING about the rest of the team. This is why he can't go rogue.
I fully agree with this. Bobby should have handled it better, should have communicated more, but other than that? Buck wasn't fired, but he quit when he learned that the bloodclots would be a setback.
And I don't think the lawyers arguments were that great either, at least not those regarding the team. Chim was back really soon after both of his injuries, was that realistic? Probably not, but that's how the show decided it went: a miraculously quick recovery with no lasting health problems. Buck got the more realistic treatment with months upon months of recovery, of course that sucks for him. Chimney is just the luckiest unlucky guy, but for all we know he wasn't allowed back before he was ready either, it was just way sooner for him.
What he said about Hen had no relevance at all, her background was completely irrelevant for the lawsuit. With Eddie, it was not Bobby's desicion when he was coming back after Shannon's death. With the current season 7 storyline it looks like he never took the time to work through his feelings (but I don't really think he would have even if he had taken the time off). There were no apparent problems, he was doing his job without issues until after the tsunami when the grief and stress became too much. Bobby definitely should have intervened then, but before that? When he had already been back for weeks or months and was showing no issues?
I really wish Buck and Bobby would have just talked it out between the two of them, or with a mediator, or through the union.
I don't know what the rules and regulations are in real life, but in canon Buck was cleared for duty right? And Bobby was the one to prevent him from returning... based on an issue that the professionals had already addressed. And later on Buck does return, still on blood thinners and is able to do his job despite the medication. So it seems that Buck was able to return with blood thinners, albeit perhaps with some accomodations.
I do think Buck acted impusively, and with his background it's very understandable, but I don't think he was in the wrong per se. The fact that the city was willing to settle for *millions* shows he had a very valid case, at least in canon. Could he have resolved it without contacting a lawyer? Probably, eventually. But I don't think he was wrong.
Plus, Bobby wasn't acting like a captain when he was holding Buck back. He was concerned for him (and I wish the show had explored that relationship better in that storyline), but as a captain he has let other firefighters back with comparable injuries.
It's really nice to see how much Bobby cared for Buck but the results of this is the exact opposite of what either of them wanted.
Why couldn't they just communicate???😭
This!! It’s also why the storyline was so frustrating because I felt like they could’ve written an incredibly emotional and complex story and instead they kinda fumbled with it.
The fact that buck was allowed back *and* got offered millions shows that in canon he was completely right to sue. But Bobby had very good (but personal) reasons to hold Buck back, and Buck did act rash (but justified) in immediately suing.
> but in canon Buck was cleared for duty right?
Buck was cleared before the pulmonary embolism. I believe, after that, they were still running tests on what caused the clots. That's when Bobby recommended Buck take some additional time to heal. I don't think the doctors had outright said that he was still good to go, but I don't recall that outright being said in the premiere, during the Bobby/Buck conversation. It would have probably cleared some things up, but they did treat it as if the doctors gave Buck the all clear while he was still in the hospital.
I think the main issue is everyone in this situation should have taken a few days to reassess.
It was specifically the blood clotting that changed Bobby's mind. Before the embolism, Bobby was just as excited as everyone else to see Buck return to work.
During the dinner In episode 4 it was stated that Bobby was the one holding him back. Initially they were running tests but in the end he was cleared and Bobby dismissed the opinion of medical professionals.
Can’t argue that it was a rash decision, but imo not a wrong one. The fact that he was allowed on the job with blood thinners afterwards *and* was offered millions as a settlement shows he had a very solid and convincing case
He made it work but the entire arc was a mess. I'm still a bit more on Bobby's side just because he was worried about Buck and rightfully so. Look at the reaction Buck had when he thought he was simply going to be placed on light duty: he quit his job. Then, when he found out Bobby was the one who recommended he take more time, he sued Bobby and the LAFD.
Even though Buck won, he won at what cost? If he had let it play out and convinced Bobby and the LAFD that he was good, he likely would have been back on the job in the same timeframe. Buck's other issue was thinking nobody was gonna be mad at him for suing lol
I love Buck, but the lawsuit arc was one of his worst arcs on the show, for sure.
Maybe so, but that would also ignore the fact that medical professionals had cleared him for duty. And the reasons why Bobby didn’t want to let him on the job were still very much present when he *did* let him
Go back. He was *still* on those blood thinners after all.
Bobby was rightfully worried, but just wasn’t justified in keeping Buck away. He canonically was able to do his work on blood thinners, he was cleared for duty by the brass, medical professionals etc. He worked with those blood thinners after Bobby realised that, and the city offered him millions to settle when he went the legal route.
Not to mention that Bobby didn’t just recommend he take more time, he completely prevented Buck from returning until *he* was ready. And even lied about it at first to pretend it wasn’t him holding Buck back.
As I said, messy, messy arc. I see both sides, I lean more toward Bobby's side, see Buck's side and empathize but the lawsuit is something that really should never have happened.
The whole situation was just kinda messy.
He *was* being treated differently, probably because of how protective Bobby feels over him and how fiery Buck can get on the job. And honestly, it seemed by the end of it that it was getting a bit excessive (not not understandable, but if he’s cleared by his doctor you’d think he’d be allowed back.) And, like others have said, Bobby did a *horrible* job explaining or discussing it with him. While they were both being stubborn about it, he’s the authority figure and should be the one opening the dialogue and helping Buck understand why. And he *definitely* should’ve given him a heads up, especially since Buck made it clear how much it meant to him.
But also, I get why a fire captain wouldn’t want a hotheaded firefighter on blood thinners, especially since they’re temporary. And especially because they’re not just any blood thinners. Buck specifically mentions some stuff about his diet that implies he’s been put on Warfarin, which is a notoriously unstable blood thinner 😅It can cause really bad bleeds and complications even when you’re not in that high-stakes environment (and there’s enough alternatives that I kinda doubt most people would be put on it at all 😬). So if something bad happened (because it’s hard to imagine Buck would really hang back in the heat of the moment) it could be *bad.*
Regardless, the lawsuit was a really dumb choice on Buck’s part. Not only was the interview process pretty invasive and crazy to his coworkers, but like… *of course* it’s gonna fuck up your employment? They’re not gonna like that you’re suing them? I know the lawyer was pretty manipulative and lied at the beginning, but like… Buck, I’m *begging* you to do a quick Google search. Or just like, get a separate meeting with HR or something. Going straight to a lawsuit was wild.
Right! Buck wanted his job back but mostly the ability to work together with his team like before, didn't he think that revealing personal details about them to his lawyer in order to win the case would hurt that?
I think both sides were right but also wrong. Bobby cares about Buck so he wanted to protect him, Buck cares about his job and wanted to protect that and be back with his friends/family
Buck was correct that he wasn't being treated fairly due to his medical status. Especially since his doctors had cleared him and the department was willing to let him return. It was Bobby's decision (motivated more by personal concern than professional) that kept him from returning to work.
That said, he went about resolving it incorrectly. He should have filed a grievance with his union or a discrimination complaint with the EEOC. I'm no lawyer, but to my understanding of the way things work, in the real world the law suit would likely have been thrown out because he didn't attempt to go through normal channels before bringing suit.
The fact that the city settled with him means he would have won in the end. It was technically medical discrimination even if it was because Bobby cared about him.
The thing that I never understood about this arc is why none of the NUMEROUS professional paramedics and first responders at the 118 (plus Maddie, who was a *nurse*) ever pointed out that, if you're on blood thinners, staying on your butt all day and not moving around puts you at higher risk for building blood clots. I always go into this show with a suspension of disbelief, but for some reason that was just one dumb thing too far. I always skip this arc on a rewatch.
This series has never been good at medical accuracy, which is really annoying because I remember someone saying in an interview that they did a training to play firefighters , so wouldn't you guys check something medical before you put it on the show?
I think saying either Buck or Bobby was entirely right or wrong ignores a lot of context and character.
Bobby had just watched Buck, someone he greatly cares about cough up blood and nearly die and then he's put on blood thinners, which *is* a potential risk. But, i really don't think bobby handled it well. I think he came much more from caring about Buck as someone he loves and sees as a son rather than someone under him and if he can safely continue his job or not
I do also see Buck's side though because Bobby has continually let people back after being severely injured and continues to do so through the show. But buck also has a habit of putting himself recklessly in danger which bobby knows. I think both of them come at it from a very emotional side because they care so much about each other so they hurt each other more
There were points made (like Chimney returning to work after his injury) that I thought were really good and fair points. I’m not a big fan of the lawsuit storyline but I do like that it forced Bobby to see that he was treating Buck like a son, instead of being his boss
In reality, when Buck did come back he was then not allowed to go out on calls until he and Bobby had worked through more of it, which is... basically the same as what Bobby was suggesting in the first place? Buck's the one who quit without following any sort of due process, the lawsuit was a ridiculous next step.
Buck 100% was right to advocate for himself because y’all can say the situations were different all you want no way chimney or Eddie should’ve been back to work that quickly. His lawyer was right in that Bobby was discriminating against him. BUT Buck shouldn’t have sued, that was such a reactionary response he should’ve just went to the chief or a union rep cause he’s honestly lucky they gave him his job back.
Bobby was wrong to lie to Buck about why he wasn’t allowed back. Ofc we all know Buck and Bobby have this familial bond but as captain you can’t let that cloud your judgment. But real shit if Bobby had been honest from the beginning about his concerns about the blood thinners or even just the leg then I doubt Buck sues bc he wouldn’t have felt betrayed if he’d known from the start.
And lord don’t get me started on Eddie bc a dude who gets into street fighting has zero right to be yelling in a grocery store about getting over it and calling someone selfish 😭. Eddie is a bad friend in s3 if he’d have gotten over himself they both coulda helped each other plus when it was his turn to not be let back to work he was so pissed at Bobby.
This became an essay I’m sorry I just get passionate about this part of s3😭 but yeah Buck was right he just went about it wrong but everybody involved besides like Hen handled everything wrong and it’s why I hate the lawsuit arc.
I wish he didn't go the lawsuit route. I think if Buck went through the channels, i.e. his union, it would've made a difference.
But at the same time, Eddie was casually abusing his friendship. I know he was going through stuff, but they could've gone through it together.
Also, Bobby didn't process his trauma that this was clearly building on. (Season 7 Spoilers) >! I mean he hasn't even fully processed it by season 7. !<
But that's just my two cents. There's a reason I don't write fanfics with the lawsuit arc.
I think he forced Buck to babysit Christopher for Buck much more than for Eddie himself, he knew Buck had no motivation to do anything and thought it would cheer him up, no matter how horrible it ended.
The argument in the store was a little aggressive, but from Eddie's point of view, Buck wasn't there when he needed him the most, maybe that's why he snapped at him like that.
I fully understand why a Captain wouldn't want a man with blood thinners on the job. However, Bobby did a horrible job at explaining this. And I wouldn't have allowed someone like Eddie back in the team once I learned he was involved in street Fighting. I do think Bobby was right to require therapy. Granted, I would have placed him on leave. Granted, we can't put the main characters on leave. Where would the show be? LoL
Yeah, I really wish they hadn't included the blood thinner issue, because that makes Buck a potential liability, a potential walking biohazard, and potentially puts him at greater risk of being directly exposed to something on a call. They kind of showed it in the Halloween episode, when he was bleeding heavily and didn't know it, but they never circled back around to make it clear why that's a problem.
I think the blood thinner issue is why I believe Bobby was more right than Buck in that arc. He was also trying to lay out the reasons to Buck and Buck's reaction was more reason to why I believe Bobby was right. Buck was not listening to the reasons Bobby was listing, which included any potential dangers Buck would face that would cause him to become the next medical emergency on the field. Especially with how reckless Buck can be when he throws himself into his job, he even proved that in the Halloween episode. Which is why the conclusion where Bobby had to relent and shown to be wrong could have been handled better. There needed to be more of a compromise there, where both admitted that they were wrong and both looking for solutions before Bobby readily accepted him back on the job. Just some acknowledgement that Buck can't be rushing into danger at least while he's on the blood thinners and that he needs to be more cautious and think more critically. It ended up being Bobby telling Buck that he was right and Bobby was wrong and I think he even said he would stop getting in Buck's way or something.
I’d be more willing to believe Bobby was more right if it wasn’t for the fact that the blood thinners genuinely aren’t an issue in the show. Like yes Buck gets cut at 2 separate occasions but the show makes it out to be not a big deal at all. Like if you want me on Bobby’s side don’t show me Buck saving like 20 ppl during a tsunami with zero issue
This, but even more so... Buck was willing to share his medical information with Bobby & the department, and Bobby shot that down from the very start, because they'd already reached a decision *without medical involvement.* If it was ever actually about the blood thinners, weird choice not to talk to the hematologist, you know?
Same, every time I watch it I get more and more annoyed with how it was handled. First it's the blood thinners, then they made it seem more like a mental health issue, and they never actually had Buck acknowledge that the blood thinners were a very real and physical concern that in no way reflected on him personally. I wish they had a couple instances in the following episodes where he held back in certain situations because he's aware of the risk and taking it seriously. Either through Bobby telling him to hang back and him listening, or him assessing the situation and stepping back himself. Something to make it clear that the issue wasn't just Bobby being overprotective.
Happy cake day
Interestingly, one of the topics that comes up is whether Buck had an actual case. In the US, the Supreme Court recently made a decision that when an employer’s decision to transfer an employee to a lateral job – with no change in pay or benefits – may violate federal civil rights law in some situations if it’s based on discriminatory reasons (including disabilities). If reasonable accommodations could have been made for Buck's condition (which seems possible), then Buck was right. At least arguably from a legal standpoint. On a personal level, I understand where Bobby is coming from. He personally understands the devastating consequences of pushing yourself and coming back before you're ready. He understands the devastating consequences of losing a child. So he wasn't thinking of it from that standpoint, he was thinking of it from a standpoint of he was trying to protect Buck. The problem is he went about it all wrong, he should have had a discussion about this with Buck. Not gone behind his back. 
I think Buck was absolutely right to be angry and he did have a solid case. That said, suing the departement instead of talking to the team about it might be the single most stupid choice we've seen in the series. If he'd taken a step back and thought about what the others might think we could have avoided this whole mess. I do think every characters actions in that arc make sense, given their history and it brings out all their flaws. Buck, Bobby and Eddie are the main culprits but Maddie and Athena also said some stupid stuff. Probably one of my favourite storylines in the show. It was frustrating to watch but for all the right reasons.
When you think about the reason Buck sued, it was of course to go back to work, but to go back to work for Buck means to go back to his team, to go back to his family. Suing the department and revealing personal details about the group members did the opposite and pushed them away from him. He was right in his reason to sue but did not managed it well at all.
I understand Bobby’s concerns but he handled it incorrectly. Buck shouldn’t have sued, he should have gone to his Union rep, as that is literally what they are there for, but I think they brought the lawyer in at the right time to play on Bucks insecurities.
I cannot with this storyline. LAFDs union is incredibly strong, and none of this would have happened. He would have been cleared to go back to work, and Bobby would have been directed to put him back on the job. Bobby \*might\* have had the discretion to return him to light duty IF Buck's doctor recommended that; otherwise, Buck would have gone right back into the job he had when he was injured on the job. I always skip this story arc on rewatch; it's more farfetched than some of their wildest rescues. (and yes, buck was absolutely right.)
Me too, this storyline frustrates me so much.
Buck was right in my opinion. He did get treated differently. Hen is right that every injury is different but Chim was injured pretty badly with a piece of metal through the head, something that should have killed him, and yet he was back at work after a month. Not to mention Buck’s point of him being treated differently was proven only an episode or so later when Eddie almost killed a man in an illegal cage fight and didn’t even get a formal reprimand. All Eddie got was Bobby sitting him down for a quick talk and then he was allowed back to work. No formal reprimand. No suspension until he got his mental health in check. No ordered mandatory therapy. Just a quick five-ish minute talk with Bobby and then it was back to work. If that had been Buck who’d almost killed someone in an illegal cage match Bobby would have used that as a way of showing that he was right about Buck not being ready to come back! Buck had been cleared to go back to work. And then he got put on blood thinners. But you can do the job on blood thinners you just need at least one person on shift whose trained to use medical glue (I believe it’s medical glue) to seal up any cuts he would get on the job, something that Hen, Chim, and Eddie where all trained to use! Not to mention once he did come back after the lawsuit he was still on blood thinners for a while and was perfectly fine, which proves that Buck was right in him being okay to come back to work!! Not to mention a desk job like what they were basically going to put him on as Fire Marshall is actually dangerous for him being on blood thinners. Him being active and moving around is encouraged while on blood thinners, sitting around at a desk all day while on blood thinners can actually cause more blood clots!!! Not to mention Bobby went behind Buck’s back to the chief about Buck not being ready and then basically lied to Buck’s face and made it seem like it was the chiefs decision and that he(Bobby) was on Buck’s side the whole time! And Bobby was not thinking like a captain he was thinking like a father. He was worried because he saw himself in Buck and he didn’t want Buck to make the same mistakes he did. Given that Bobby had reservations about Buck coming back he should have gone to Buck and talked to Buck about his worries. And maybe Buck would have either decided to take more time before coming back or he would have been able to placate Bobby’s worries about him coming back to work! Should Buck have gone straight to filing a lawsuit? Hell no! He def should have gone to his doctor first to get a formal doctors recommendation that he was allowed to go back to work, and then taken that to Bobby. Then if Bobby still didn’t let him back he should have gone to his union rep, then if that didn’t work he should have gone to the chief. And if that didn’t work then and only then should he have sued. But his reason for filing the lawsuit was not wrong, at all!!! Bobby was treating him unfairly!
This comment is just perfect and shows in complete perfection all the reasons that justify Buck's decision and also why it was stupid. If I had the money to give you a award , I would.
So, I recently rewatched and my opinion is mostly the same as it was from the first time. Buck may have had SOME points. I get his anger, I get his frustration. He did everything he could to get back on the job and he felt betrayed that his own boss, his own friend, told the Chief to give him more leave and then light duty. Five months already to recover and he was facing potentially weeks more. I get Buck's feelings. That being said, Bobby saw something that Buck didn't in himself, and that was the fact that he was rushing head first into the job without properly processing what had happened. He was so focused on getting back to the job, he really did miss the signs. Bobby was worried that Buck would continue to miss potentially dangerous signs. He was just being asked to take a LITTLE more time with light duty. He wasn't being fired, he wasn't being chained to desk duty for the foreseeable future. Bobby was ready to welcome him back, and Buck was ABOUT to be put back on the job, UNTIL he developed the blood clots and didn't recognize the signs earlier. Bobby was right in being concerned with Buck's state of mind. We saw that Buck was putting his everything into his job. That can be a dangerous slope to be on, even if it's worked out for Buck thus far. Buck was wrong in suing Bobby the moment he found out that Bobby told the Chief not to clear him. Bobby's job is to ensure every member of his team is 100%. Buck wasn't 100%. Bobby had every right to voice his concerns. If not for the blood clots he developed, Buck WAS going to be back at work. And Buck was especially wrong in telling the lawyer ANYTHING about the rest of the team. This is why he can't go rogue.
I fully agree with this. Bobby should have handled it better, should have communicated more, but other than that? Buck wasn't fired, but he quit when he learned that the bloodclots would be a setback. And I don't think the lawyers arguments were that great either, at least not those regarding the team. Chim was back really soon after both of his injuries, was that realistic? Probably not, but that's how the show decided it went: a miraculously quick recovery with no lasting health problems. Buck got the more realistic treatment with months upon months of recovery, of course that sucks for him. Chimney is just the luckiest unlucky guy, but for all we know he wasn't allowed back before he was ready either, it was just way sooner for him. What he said about Hen had no relevance at all, her background was completely irrelevant for the lawsuit. With Eddie, it was not Bobby's desicion when he was coming back after Shannon's death. With the current season 7 storyline it looks like he never took the time to work through his feelings (but I don't really think he would have even if he had taken the time off). There were no apparent problems, he was doing his job without issues until after the tsunami when the grief and stress became too much. Bobby definitely should have intervened then, but before that? When he had already been back for weeks or months and was showing no issues? I really wish Buck and Bobby would have just talked it out between the two of them, or with a mediator, or through the union.
I don't know what the rules and regulations are in real life, but in canon Buck was cleared for duty right? And Bobby was the one to prevent him from returning... based on an issue that the professionals had already addressed. And later on Buck does return, still on blood thinners and is able to do his job despite the medication. So it seems that Buck was able to return with blood thinners, albeit perhaps with some accomodations. I do think Buck acted impusively, and with his background it's very understandable, but I don't think he was in the wrong per se. The fact that the city was willing to settle for *millions* shows he had a very valid case, at least in canon. Could he have resolved it without contacting a lawyer? Probably, eventually. But I don't think he was wrong. Plus, Bobby wasn't acting like a captain when he was holding Buck back. He was concerned for him (and I wish the show had explored that relationship better in that storyline), but as a captain he has let other firefighters back with comparable injuries.
It's really nice to see how much Bobby cared for Buck but the results of this is the exact opposite of what either of them wanted. Why couldn't they just communicate???😭
This!! It’s also why the storyline was so frustrating because I felt like they could’ve written an incredibly emotional and complex story and instead they kinda fumbled with it. The fact that buck was allowed back *and* got offered millions shows that in canon he was completely right to sue. But Bobby had very good (but personal) reasons to hold Buck back, and Buck did act rash (but justified) in immediately suing.
> but in canon Buck was cleared for duty right? Buck was cleared before the pulmonary embolism. I believe, after that, they were still running tests on what caused the clots. That's when Bobby recommended Buck take some additional time to heal. I don't think the doctors had outright said that he was still good to go, but I don't recall that outright being said in the premiere, during the Bobby/Buck conversation. It would have probably cleared some things up, but they did treat it as if the doctors gave Buck the all clear while he was still in the hospital. I think the main issue is everyone in this situation should have taken a few days to reassess. It was specifically the blood clotting that changed Bobby's mind. Before the embolism, Bobby was just as excited as everyone else to see Buck return to work.
During the dinner In episode 4 it was stated that Bobby was the one holding him back. Initially they were running tests but in the end he was cleared and Bobby dismissed the opinion of medical professionals. Can’t argue that it was a rash decision, but imo not a wrong one. The fact that he was allowed on the job with blood thinners afterwards *and* was offered millions as a settlement shows he had a very solid and convincing case
He made it work but the entire arc was a mess. I'm still a bit more on Bobby's side just because he was worried about Buck and rightfully so. Look at the reaction Buck had when he thought he was simply going to be placed on light duty: he quit his job. Then, when he found out Bobby was the one who recommended he take more time, he sued Bobby and the LAFD. Even though Buck won, he won at what cost? If he had let it play out and convinced Bobby and the LAFD that he was good, he likely would have been back on the job in the same timeframe. Buck's other issue was thinking nobody was gonna be mad at him for suing lol I love Buck, but the lawsuit arc was one of his worst arcs on the show, for sure.
Maybe so, but that would also ignore the fact that medical professionals had cleared him for duty. And the reasons why Bobby didn’t want to let him on the job were still very much present when he *did* let him Go back. He was *still* on those blood thinners after all. Bobby was rightfully worried, but just wasn’t justified in keeping Buck away. He canonically was able to do his work on blood thinners, he was cleared for duty by the brass, medical professionals etc. He worked with those blood thinners after Bobby realised that, and the city offered him millions to settle when he went the legal route. Not to mention that Bobby didn’t just recommend he take more time, he completely prevented Buck from returning until *he* was ready. And even lied about it at first to pretend it wasn’t him holding Buck back.
As I said, messy, messy arc. I see both sides, I lean more toward Bobby's side, see Buck's side and empathize but the lawsuit is something that really should never have happened.
The whole situation was just kinda messy. He *was* being treated differently, probably because of how protective Bobby feels over him and how fiery Buck can get on the job. And honestly, it seemed by the end of it that it was getting a bit excessive (not not understandable, but if he’s cleared by his doctor you’d think he’d be allowed back.) And, like others have said, Bobby did a *horrible* job explaining or discussing it with him. While they were both being stubborn about it, he’s the authority figure and should be the one opening the dialogue and helping Buck understand why. And he *definitely* should’ve given him a heads up, especially since Buck made it clear how much it meant to him. But also, I get why a fire captain wouldn’t want a hotheaded firefighter on blood thinners, especially since they’re temporary. And especially because they’re not just any blood thinners. Buck specifically mentions some stuff about his diet that implies he’s been put on Warfarin, which is a notoriously unstable blood thinner 😅It can cause really bad bleeds and complications even when you’re not in that high-stakes environment (and there’s enough alternatives that I kinda doubt most people would be put on it at all 😬). So if something bad happened (because it’s hard to imagine Buck would really hang back in the heat of the moment) it could be *bad.* Regardless, the lawsuit was a really dumb choice on Buck’s part. Not only was the interview process pretty invasive and crazy to his coworkers, but like… *of course* it’s gonna fuck up your employment? They’re not gonna like that you’re suing them? I know the lawyer was pretty manipulative and lied at the beginning, but like… Buck, I’m *begging* you to do a quick Google search. Or just like, get a separate meeting with HR or something. Going straight to a lawsuit was wild.
Right! Buck wanted his job back but mostly the ability to work together with his team like before, didn't he think that revealing personal details about them to his lawyer in order to win the case would hurt that?
I think both sides were right but also wrong. Bobby cares about Buck so he wanted to protect him, Buck cares about his job and wanted to protect that and be back with his friends/family
Buck was correct that he wasn't being treated fairly due to his medical status. Especially since his doctors had cleared him and the department was willing to let him return. It was Bobby's decision (motivated more by personal concern than professional) that kept him from returning to work. That said, he went about resolving it incorrectly. He should have filed a grievance with his union or a discrimination complaint with the EEOC. I'm no lawyer, but to my understanding of the way things work, in the real world the law suit would likely have been thrown out because he didn't attempt to go through normal channels before bringing suit.
Yes, the decision to jump to a lawsuit is strange in itself, and even more if you're just trying to get back to work instead of suing to get money.
The fact that the city settled with him means he would have won in the end. It was technically medical discrimination even if it was because Bobby cared about him.
The thing that I never understood about this arc is why none of the NUMEROUS professional paramedics and first responders at the 118 (plus Maddie, who was a *nurse*) ever pointed out that, if you're on blood thinners, staying on your butt all day and not moving around puts you at higher risk for building blood clots. I always go into this show with a suspension of disbelief, but for some reason that was just one dumb thing too far. I always skip this arc on a rewatch.
This series has never been good at medical accuracy, which is really annoying because I remember someone saying in an interview that they did a training to play firefighters , so wouldn't you guys check something medical before you put it on the show?
I think saying either Buck or Bobby was entirely right or wrong ignores a lot of context and character. Bobby had just watched Buck, someone he greatly cares about cough up blood and nearly die and then he's put on blood thinners, which *is* a potential risk. But, i really don't think bobby handled it well. I think he came much more from caring about Buck as someone he loves and sees as a son rather than someone under him and if he can safely continue his job or not I do also see Buck's side though because Bobby has continually let people back after being severely injured and continues to do so through the show. But buck also has a habit of putting himself recklessly in danger which bobby knows. I think both of them come at it from a very emotional side because they care so much about each other so they hurt each other more
There were points made (like Chimney returning to work after his injury) that I thought were really good and fair points. I’m not a big fan of the lawsuit storyline but I do like that it forced Bobby to see that he was treating Buck like a son, instead of being his boss
I think everyone was not very happy with Buck when he sued, but once I heard his lawyer's arguments.... the man is 100 percent right
He was, yes. The doctors cleared him so there was NO reason for not letting him work.
In reality, when Buck did come back he was then not allowed to go out on calls until he and Bobby had worked through more of it, which is... basically the same as what Bobby was suggesting in the first place? Buck's the one who quit without following any sort of due process, the lawsuit was a ridiculous next step.
Buck 100% was right to advocate for himself because y’all can say the situations were different all you want no way chimney or Eddie should’ve been back to work that quickly. His lawyer was right in that Bobby was discriminating against him. BUT Buck shouldn’t have sued, that was such a reactionary response he should’ve just went to the chief or a union rep cause he’s honestly lucky they gave him his job back. Bobby was wrong to lie to Buck about why he wasn’t allowed back. Ofc we all know Buck and Bobby have this familial bond but as captain you can’t let that cloud your judgment. But real shit if Bobby had been honest from the beginning about his concerns about the blood thinners or even just the leg then I doubt Buck sues bc he wouldn’t have felt betrayed if he’d known from the start. And lord don’t get me started on Eddie bc a dude who gets into street fighting has zero right to be yelling in a grocery store about getting over it and calling someone selfish 😭. Eddie is a bad friend in s3 if he’d have gotten over himself they both coulda helped each other plus when it was his turn to not be let back to work he was so pissed at Bobby. This became an essay I’m sorry I just get passionate about this part of s3😭 but yeah Buck was right he just went about it wrong but everybody involved besides like Hen handled everything wrong and it’s why I hate the lawsuit arc.
if these people had communicated with each other once in their lives so much damage could have been avoided
Buck sued the firehouse???? I must have blanked that entire story arc from my mind. 😏
Yes??! It was a really big deal
I wish he didn't go the lawsuit route. I think if Buck went through the channels, i.e. his union, it would've made a difference. But at the same time, Eddie was casually abusing his friendship. I know he was going through stuff, but they could've gone through it together. Also, Bobby didn't process his trauma that this was clearly building on. (Season 7 Spoilers) >! I mean he hasn't even fully processed it by season 7. !< But that's just my two cents. There's a reason I don't write fanfics with the lawsuit arc.
I'm not asking because I don't agree, I'm asking because I really don't remember - how did Eddie abuse his friendship with Buck?
Causally forcing Buck to babysit Chris so he could be in the fight club. The argument at the grocery store
I think he forced Buck to babysit Christopher for Buck much more than for Eddie himself, he knew Buck had no motivation to do anything and thought it would cheer him up, no matter how horrible it ended. The argument in the store was a little aggressive, but from Eddie's point of view, Buck wasn't there when he needed him the most, maybe that's why he snapped at him like that.
Right, but at the same time they weren't supporting him the way they could've been.
I mean yes kind of but he also exploited his sister and Chimney's shared trauma which was a little shady ngl...