If you’re not maddeningly in love with T.K. and Carlos on 9-1-1: Lone Star, you’re wrong

We came to 9-1-1: Lone Star for Rob Lowe and Liv Tyler, but we’re staying for Tarlos.

Sometimes we become hooked on a new show for reasons not marketed to us. We’re often sold on its flashiest drama, its star power-iest stars, and all the bells and whistles fit to fill a 30-second sponsored social media trailer. But it’s the nuances and subtleties that ensure we’re setting a series recording on our DVRs or smashing that “next episode” button on streaming services. 9-1-1: Lone Star excels in both the bells and whistles and those coveted nuances.

Let’s cut to the chase here: T.K. (Ronen Rubenstein) and Carlos (Rafael Silva) are the best part of 9-1-1: Lone Star, and they have hardly shared the max amount of screen time that’s sure to arrive later in the season. Yes, there’s unbelievable action and a pair of A-list stars in the lead with Rob Lowe and Liv Tyler, but T.K. and Carlos’ chemistry’s so strong that their presence alone in the series’ trailers convinced me to give the spin-off a shot. And reader, I’m officially obsessed.

This post contains spoilers from 9-1-1: Lone Star Season 1, Episode 2, “Yee-Haw.” Continue reading (and shipping) at your own risk.

T.K. Strand, the son of Lowe’s Owen Strand, works with his father as a firefighter in New York City. But after a failed proposal to his flop ex-boyfriend and an overdose on pills, he and his father relocate to Austin, Texas to start over in more ways than one. Carlos Reyes works alongside Tyler’s paramedic Michelle Blake as a patrol officer. Naturally, T.K. and Carlos cross paths on the job and line dance in the pilot episode, making a whole lot of eyes at each other. I’m still swooning.

Obviously, their connection was PALP-A-BLE (imagine hand claps in between) because the second episode wasted zero time in letting this ship set sail. Tarlos was born in what — yeah, I’ll say it — was the hottest sex scene on network television in recent memory. You can keep your steamy Grey’s Anatomy moments of McNasty, or whatever they call it, and even This Is Us’ surprising shots of male rear nudity. Sorry, Jack Pearson, but I’m endorsing Tarlos in this race on blind faith, no question.

Of course, 9-1-1: Lone Star kept me (and everyone else who decided Tarlos was endgame before the series even premiered) humble. Following their hookup, T.K. returns to Carlos’ place the next day and immediately rips the buttons clean off his shirt. But Carlos had prepared a candlelit dinner and wanted to get to know T.K. I don’t know what T.K. stands for yet, but when I find out, I’m ready to hit him with his full name and a speech with Tyra Banks energy for walking out on that date.

Realistically, I applaud 9-1-1: Lone Star for understanding that queer relationships aren’t always easy or conventional. That’s just the truth. Also, T.K.’s still handling the trauma of ending a long-term relationship that nearly ended his life. The minute he can communicate that to Carlos, it’ll be like magic. But we’d better buckle up for a bumpy ride that I suspect 9-1-1 fans, especially those still clamoring for Buck and Eddie to level up their bromance, are more than willing to take.

But all shameless shipping aside, Tarlos’ representation couldn’t be more welcome. Admittedly, the Lone Star subtitle and Texas setting felt as though the 9-1-1 franchise would corner a different market and cater to a more conservative demographic. Not really. Beyond Tarlos, the series champions inclusivity, tears down racism, and looks to tell stories ranging from wild to grounded, just like its sire. Without a doubt, though, queer kids growing up in Middle America need to see Tarlos.

I’m not going to pretend to know what the future holds for either 9-1-1: Lone Star or T.K. and Carlos, but I’m all in. How could I not be?

When other (some, not all!) network shows are still somehow doing the bare minimum for representation in ALL areas, you have to hand it to both 9-1-1 iterations for not making us feast on scraps. We’re getting real characters, real situations, and serious eye candy. And we have Rob Lowe being Rob Lowe and Liv Tyler whispering directly into our souls. What more could we want? To answer my own question: more Tarlos.

What do you think of the new series? Are you all in with Tarlos, too, or are you giving it time? Sound off with your thoughts, predictions, concerns, and thirst in the comments!

9-1-1: Lone Star airs Mondays at 8/7c on FOX.