TV has always been a mirror for human relationships, reflecting everything from fiery romances to deep, platonic friendships.
But in recent years, it feels like every close bond on TV comes with a side of romantic speculation.
The lines between friendship and love blur as fandoms — and sometimes writers — question whether emotional intimacy can exist without romantic undertones.
Take Evan “Buck” Buckley and Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz from 9-1-1.
Their bond has become the heart of the show, built on mutual trust, unwavering loyalty, and countless moments of vulnerability.
Fans quickly latched onto their dynamic, coining the ship name “Buddie” and fueling endless speculation over their every glance, joke, and unspoken connection.
While 9-1-1’s creators have leaned into Buck and Eddie’s deep friendship, they’ve resisted turning it romantic.
As Oliver Stark, who plays Buck, said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, their relationship thrives on being a “safe space” of trust and camaraderie — two friends who are simply there for each other when it matters most.
But for some fans, that’s not enough. Buck and Eddie aren’t just friends in their eyes — they’re soulmates.
And this push to redefine their bond isn’t unique to 9-1-1.
It’s part of a larger trend across TV, where fandoms and creators alike seem unwilling to let strong friendships stay just that: friendships.
When Did Platonic Stop Being Enough?
Think back to TV’s golden age — the ’70s and ’80s — when friendships were the heart of many shows.
Starsky & Hutch thrived on the bromance between its titular characters, and The Golden Girls offered an unapologetic celebration of female friendship.
“Will they or won’t they?” tension didn’t bog down these relationships. Instead, they were about loyalty, trust, and shared laughter.
Even decades later, Parks and Recreation gave us one of TV’s most meaningful platonic duos: Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson.
Their friendship — rooted in mutual respect despite their opposing values — was proof that men and women could have layered dynamics without romantic undertones.
But somewhere along the way, TV shifted.
Maybe it was the rise of social media, where fandoms dissect every glance, touch, and witty exchange. Maybe it was networks trying to hook audiences with unnecessary romantic drama.
Whatever the cause, platonic friendships started to feel like a rarity, and fans began demanding something more.
Shipping Wars: When Fans Took Over
Nowhere is this more evident than in Supernatural.
Dean Winchester and Castiel’s bond — built on trust, sacrifice, and mutual respect — was compelling enough on its own.
But a faction of fans, known as “Destiel” shippers, demanded romance. They weren’t content with a deep, platonic friendship; they wanted sparks, longing stares, and declarations of love.
Some fans even took it a step further, campaigning for a romantic relationship between Dean and his brother Sam. Brothers. Romantic partners. It’s as horrifying as it sounds.
While the creators resisted for years, they eventually threw a bone on Supernatural Season 15 Episode 18, “Despair,” with Castiel professing his love for Dean.
But the moment felt forced and hollow — a begrudging nod to fans that undermined the original dynamic.
This is the danger of shipping culture: It often overshadows a relationship’s original intention, reducing nuanced friendships to checkboxes for fan service.
Why Friendships Matter
Some of the greatest TV moments come from platonic friendships.
Parks and Rec’s Leslie and Ron showed how two wildly different people could challenge and support each other without any romantic tension.
Spock and Kirk from Star Trek gave us a bond rooted in mutual respect, where their differences made them stronger as a team.
Even on Sherlock, the bromance between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson was already beautifully complex. But that didn’t stop fans from demanding more, dragging their friendship through the shipping mud.
Platonic friendships allow for emotional depth without the baggage of romantic entanglements.
They’re a reminder that love comes in many forms, and not all of them have to involve candlelit dinners and stolen kisses.
A Double-Edged Sword: Representation vs. Forced Romance
To be fair, the rise of shipping culture isn’t entirely negative.
Fans’ push for representation — particularly LGBTQ+ storylines — has brought much-needed diversity to TV.
Shows like Heartstopper and The L Word wouldn’t exist without audiences demanding these narratives.
But turning every friendship into a romance isn’t the solution. Not every glance is romantic. Not every bond needs to evolve into something more.
TV risks erasing the beauty of non-romantic emotional intimacy by forcing romance into friendships.
Take Castiel’s love confession in Supernatural’s final season.
Instead of feeling triumphant, it divided many fans. Some celebrated the acknowledgment of Castiel’s feelings; others felt it was pandering at the expense of the show’s original vision.
The “Buddie” Angle: Why Fans Can’t Let Go
This brings us back to 9-1-1’s Buck and Eddie.
Their bond represents the best of platonic relationships. They’re there for each other through thick and thin, sharing an unspoken but deeply felt connection.
As showrunner Tim Minear said, “They don’t need to talk. The point is, ‘I need somebody right now, and I trust you more than anyone.’”
And yet, the “Buddie” phenomenon has taken on a life of its own. Fans dissect every scene, creating elaborate theories about their “hidden” feelings.
The tension came to a head on 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6 “Confessions,” where Buck and Eddie shared a quiet, beer-drinking moment of solace.
Fans thought this would finally be the big romantic reveal. Instead, it was just what it appeared to be: two friends supporting each other.
In interviews, 9-1-1 actors have embraced the fan interest, with Oliver Stark (Buck) saying, “Some people see it platonically, and some people see it romantically. I’m just happy people care.”
But they’ve also reiterated that the show’s intention is to celebrate their friendship, not redefine it.
It’s time to embrace TV friendships for what they are.
Imagine the possibilities if we let every dynamic breathe without slapping a “romantic potential” sticker on it.
Shows could explore deeper themes of loyalty, trust, and even conflict without the baggage of forced romance.
Ron and Leslie’s friendship worked because it wasn’t about love — it was about mutual respect and growth.
Buck and Eddie’s bond thrives because it’s rooted in trust and vulnerability, not unspoken romantic longing.
When we allow platonic relationships to thrive, we get richer, more varied storytelling.
TV doesn’t need to “upgrade” every friendship to romance.
Fans, take note: Not every connection is meant to be romantic. And writers, stop caving to shipping wars.
Let the Deans and Castiels of the world stay friends. Let the Rons and Leslies teach us that friendships can be just as fulfilling as love stories.
Platonic relationships are a beautiful, underrated part of storytelling. Let’s keep them that way.
What do you think? Has TV’s obsession with romance ruined your favorite friendship? Or are there platonic duos you still cherish? Let us know in the comments!
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