Next week fans of 911: Lonestar will be saying goodbye to the show and their favourite characters such as Carlos and TK. After five years and 74 episodes, the popular procedural drama following the lives of the fictional first responders in Austin, Texas, is ending. 911: Lonestar is the successful spin-off of the beloved American procedural drama television series 9-1-1.
In the past five years, the show has delivered some of the most unbelievable catastrophes imaginable. Nevertheless, what kept the audience hooked every season was the relatable characters and their development. Among the show’s most beloved characters are Carlos and TK. The two are arguably one of the best LGBTQ+ couples we have ever had on TV.
We first met Carlos as a hot police officer at the Austin Police Department. Meanwhile, TK is the captain’s son. He is a dual-certified firefighter-paramedic with the 126 and a recovering opioid addict. When we first meet TK, he is in a dark place. The two meet at work and sparks fly. However, their relationship has been no walk in the park. They have been through it and then some. The fans adore them because of the ups and downs they’ve experienced. Here are our favorite Carlos and TK moments throughout the five seasons.
TK’s Near-Death Experience
In season 3, TK experiences severe hypothermia while trying to rescue a child trapped in a frozen lake. This sends him into a coma, and his organs start to shut down. At the time of the incident, Carlos and TK had broken up.
Once again, TK’s fear of commitment had reared its ugly head and caused him to run when Carlos added his name to the new house title. As TK lies in a coma, he has a conversation with his deceased mother about his past mistakes while being watched by Carlos from the hospital bed.
The talk with his mom finally forces TK to admit that he loves Carlos and that he messed up. On the other hand, Carlos realizes he still loves TK and is not ready to lose him. This scene changes the trajectory of their relationship, strengthening their commitment to each other after TK recovers.
The Wedding
Who doesn’t love a wedding? The season 4 finale shows Carlos and TK getting married, but Carlos’ recent loss of his father overshadows the event. The couple had even considered calling off the wedding, but Carlos’ mother, Andrea, reassures him that his father would have wanted them to go ahead with the plans. This emotional scene unfolds as the couple exchanges their vows, with Paul serving as the officiant.
Carlos Called out TK’s Behavior
In season 1, shortly after they hook up, TK starts a bar fight, causing the police to show up. As fate would have it, Carlos was on duty that night and he had a few things to say to TK. It is at this point that TK finally opens up to him about his addiction and the struggle to stay clean.
This experience helped Carlos understand TK’s mental state better and why he wasn’t emotionally ready for a relationship. Nonetheless, it laid the groundwork for them to establish a foundation of trust and mutual understanding.
Every Time, they Supported each other in a Tragedy
It goes without saying that TK and Carlos go through major losses. TK loses his mom and nearly loses Owen in several life-threatening incidents. In season 4, Carlos’ dad is murdered right before their wedding. Carlos and TK have had their share of painful losses but have always been there for each other. They worked through their grief together and always showed up for each other.
TK Saving Carlos
In season 4, Carlos gets kidnapped while working on a kidnap case. It takes some time for the police to locate Carlos, but thanks to TK’s assistance, they arrive just in time. TK’s anxiety, concern, and love for Carlos played a significant role in the police quickly cracking the case.
The Proposal
This is one of the emotional scenes that shows how far TK has come. From being afraid of commitment to being unable to sleep because he can’t wait to propose to Carlos. In the season 3 finale, TK is unable to sleep and wakes Carlos in the middle of the night to make a swoon-worthy love confession and ask for his hand in marriage. Best proposal ever!
Carlos and TK’s Decision to Adopt
In season 5, the couple goes through a rough patch as Carlos works on his dad’s murder case. On the other hand, TK’s stepdad gets arrested for fraud and wants to send TK’s young brother, Jonah, to an international boarding school. TK is ready to adopt his young brother, but Carlos wants to solve his dad’s case. He is not sure he is ready to be a dad yet.
This causes major friction between the two and threatens to tear them apart. Thankfully, Carlos finally solves his dad’s case, and the closure gives him a change of heart. The couple agrees to move forward with the adoption plans.
As we bid farewell to one of our beloved LGBTQ+ couples on TV, Carlos and TK’s story serves as a wonderful example of a typical LGBTQ+ relationship, and we look forward to seeing more diverse representation in the future.