Favorite Character - ART 315 - W1

My current favorite character across any form of media is Evan "Buck" Buckley from the Fox series 9-1-1. He has had the most dramatic character growth out of the main cast over the last eight seasons. When Buck was first introduced in Season One, he came across as a shallow jock stereotype character. He was portrayed as reckless, impulsive, and immature, often serving as the comic relief. Buck was also consistently shown to be a womanizer and often prioritizes his pursuit of pleasure over the needs of his fire crew. However, as the season progresses, it becomes clear that Buck's selfish and impulsive actions stem from his desire for connection. Further into the series, Buck makes this realization for himself and starts his first "real" relationship, focusing on true connection rather than quick pleasure. Starting in late Season Two, Buck declares himself to be a new and improved man, referring to himself as "Buck 2.0". This declaration was a major turning point for Buck, in every following season, Buck sees significant character growth in all aspects of his life, forming stronger connections with romantic partners, his teammates, and his family (especially his sister). He also becomes visibly more confident and comfortable with himself and his actions. The acting talents of Oliver Stark were truly crucial to Buck's development, especially through his emotions and body language. Comparing clips of Buck in Season One to Season Eight, he almost looks like two entirely different characters in his actions, demeanor, and body language. Overall, his growth as a character has been a major factor in making him a fan favorite.