escaping criticism

99.9% - Bobby dies, but Tommy has to airlift Athena back to the Odyssey because there’s a new crime ring, so they bring Bobby too just in case, and somehow Max, Tristan, and Avery bring him back to life using equipment from the gym on the Lido deck, powered by a bucket of electric eels.

Suddenly, the kitchen lights click on, stopping the two sweat drenched men in their tracks. Immediately, they both snap out of their drunken reverie. “Shhh,” whispers Buck, clamping his hand over Tommy’s open mouth and glancing wide-eyed toward the now illuminated kitchen. Tommy nods, and they both silently press themselves deeper into the darkened hallway.

“Guys! In here. It’s me.” Eddie’s voice booms from the kitchen.

Still in a state of shock, Buck and Tommy slowly make their way toward the kitchen. Eddie is sitting at the table. “Eddie?” both men sputter in unison, their hearts still racing. “What are you doing here?” Buck manages to ask. “Well, I do still have a key, “ replies Eddie, trying desperately to hide a grin.

Only then do Buck and Tommy notice the chairs arranged in a circle around the table and scattered throughout the room. Bobby, Athena, Maddie, Chim, Hen, Karen, Ravi, and Josh are sitting in silence looking at the confused faces of the two stunned men. “Is this a surprise party?” Buck finally asks, his eyes wide. “Not…exactly.” says Bobby at last. “Buck, Tommy, we’re here because we’re your friends and we want you to know we care about you both very much, and we want you to be happy. We just want to talk. And after we’re done, we want you both to talk…and listen…to each other.”

“Wait,” says Tommy, “is this an…intervention?”

Buck: You want to try again?

Tommy: I mean, I’m not ready to move in or anything. Kinda seems like you aren’t either.

Buck: And you’re not scared I’m gonna break your heart any more?

Tommy: Not as much, now that the competition’s out of the way.

Relationship Counselor: Buck, how does that make you feel?

Buck: What do you mean competition?

Tommy: I’m mostly kidding.

Buck: Mostly kidding about what?

Tommy: Never mind.

Relationship Counselor: Tommy, remember, don’t deflect.

Buck: No, wait, I want to know. Competition with who?

Tommy: Come on Evan, don’t make me say it.

Buck: Wait, Eddie?

Tommy: I mean, you’re living in the guy’s house.

Buck: Ok, this is not his house. He was a renter. And he’s straight.

Tommy: [scoffs] Ok.

Buck: You know, I don’t have to want to sleep with everyone I have feelings for, and I don’t have to have feelings for everyone I want to sleep with.

Tommy: Got it.

Buck: You’re not scared I’m gonna break your heart any more?

Tommy: Not as much, now that the competition’s out of the way.

Buck: You know I don’t have to want to sleep with everyone I have feelings for, and I don’t have to have feelings for everyone I sleep with.