Television has always held a mirror to relationships, reflecting everything from passionate romance to deep platonic friendships.
But in recent years, it seems like every intimate relationship on TV comes with a side of romantic speculation.
The lines between friendship and love become blurred, and fans — and sometimes writers — question whether emotional intimacy can exist without romance.
Take Evan “Buck” Barkley and Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz in 9-1-1.
Their relationship has become the heart of the show, built on mutual trust, unwavering loyalty and countless moments of vulnerability.
Fans quickly latched on to their dynamic, coining the nickname “Buddie” and sparking endless speculation about their every look, joke and unspoken connection.
While the creators of “9-1-1” leaned into Buck and Eddie’s strong friendship, they refused to make it romantic.
As Oliver Stark, who plays Buck, said in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, their relationship thrives because they’re a “safe space” of trust and friendship — two friends in Supporting each other when it matters most.
But for some fans, that’s not enough. Buck and Eddie are not just friends in their eyes, but soul mates.
This effort to redefine their connections is not unique to 9-1-1.
It’s part of a larger trend across television, where neither fandom nor creators seem willing to let strong friendships remain just that: friendships.
When does Platonicity cease to satisfy?
Think back to the golden age of television – the 1970s and 1980s – when friendship was at the heart of many shows.
Where “Starsky & Hutch” thrived on the bromance between its titular characters, “The Golden Girls” unapologetically celebrated female friendship.
The tension of “will they or won’t they?” doesn’t bog down these relationships. Instead, they are about loyalty, trust and shared laughter.
Decades later, Parks and Recreation gave us one of the most meaningful platonic duos on television: Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson.
Their friendship—rooted in mutual respect despite diametrically opposed values—proves that men and women can have a layered dynamic without the overtones of romance.
But along the way, television transformed.
Maybe it’s the rise of social media, with fans dissecting every glance, touch and witty exchange. Maybe the network is trying to lure viewers in with unnecessary romantic drama.
For whatever reason, platonic friendships began to become rare, and fans began to demand more.
Transport Wars: When Fans Take Over
Nowhere is this more evident than in Supernatural Files .
Dean Winchester and Castiel’s relationship – built on trust, sacrifice and mutual respect – is compelling enough in its own right.
But there is a group of fans known as “Destiel” shippers who are demanding romance. They’re not satisfied with deep, platonic friendships; they want sparks, longing gazes, and declarations of love.
Some fans are even taking it a step further and rooting for a romantic relationship between Dean and his brother Sam. brother. Romantic partner. This is as scary as it sounds.
Although the creators resisted for years, they finally expressed dissatisfaction with Supernatural Season 15 Episode 18, “Despair,” in which Castiel professed his love for Dean.
But the moment feels forced and hollow — a reluctant nod to fans that undermines the initial momentum.
This is the danger of shipping culture: It often obscures the original intent of a relationship, reducing delicate friendships to fanservice checkboxes.
Why friendship is important
Some of the greatest TV moments come from platonic friendships.
Parks and Rec’s “Leslie and Ron” shows how two very different people can challenge and support each other without any romantic tension.
Spock and Kirk in Star Wars gave us a bond rooted in mutual respect, and their differences made them stronger as a team.
Even in Sherlock , the bromance between Sherlock Holmes and John Watson is already complicated. But that didn’t stop fans from asking for more, sending their friendship into a shipping quagmire.
Platonic friendship allows for emotional depth without the baggage of romantic entanglements.
They remind us that love comes in many forms, but not all of them have to involve candlelight dinners and stolen kisses.
Double-edged Sword: Representation and Forced Romance
To be fair, the rise of shipping culture is not entirely negative.
The fan push for representation — especially LGBTQ+ storylines — has brought much-needed diversity to television.
Without audiences demanding these narratives, shows like Heartstopper and The L Word wouldn’t exist.
But turning every friendship into romance is not the answer. Not every look is romantic. Not all bonds need to develop into something more.
By forcing romance into friendships, television risks erasing the beauty of non-romantic emotional intimacy.
Take Castiel’s confession in the final season of Supernatural , for example.
Instead of feeling victorious, many fans were divided. Some celebrated Castiel’s feelings being acknowledged; Others believe this was to cater to the show’s original vision.
“partner” ANGLE: Why fans can’t let go
Which brings us back to Buck and Eddie in 9-1-1.
Their relationship represents the best of platonic relationships. They stick together 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 someone right now, and I trust you more than anyone else.
However, the “Buddy” phenomenon seems to have taken on a life of its own. Fans dissect every scene and create complex theories about their “hidden” feelings.
Tensions come to a head in 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6, “The Confession,” in which Buck and Eddie quietly take comfort in a beer.
Fans think this will finally be the big romantic reveal. Instead, it’s just what it appears to be: two friends who have each other’s backs.
In interviews, the cast of “9-1-1” has embraced fan interest, with Oliver Stark (Buck) saying, “Some people see it in a platonic way, some people see it in a romantic way. .I’m glad someone cares about me.
But they also reiterated that the purpose of the show is to celebrate their friendship, not redefine it.
It’s time to accept TV friendships for what they are.
Imagine the possibilities if we allowed every energy to breathe without labeling it “romantic potential.”
Shows can explore deeper themes of loyalty, trust, and even conflict without forcing the baggage of romance.
Ron and Leslie’s friendship works because it’s not about love, it’s about mutual respect and growth.
Buck and Eddie’s relationship is so deep because it’s rooted in trust and vulnerability rather than unspoken romantic longing.
When we allow platonic relationships to flourish, we get richer, more diverse storytelling.
Television doesn’t need to “upgrade” every friendship into romance.
Fans take note: not all connections are meant to be romantic. Writers, stop giving in to the shipping wars.
Keep the Deans and Castiels of the world friends. Let Ron and Leslie show us that friendship can be as fulfilling as a love story.
Platonic relationships are a beautiful but underrated part of storytelling. Let’s keep it that way.
What do you think? Is TV’s obsession with romance ruining your favorite friendships? Or what platonic duos do you still cherish? Let us know in the comments!
