TK’s Ending

I can’t gauge the popularity of this opinion but it seems pretty unpopular on this sub so I can’t tell. But I actually liked TK’s ending. Sure, the entire episode was rushed. Sure, they could’ve done a better job showing he was still part of the 126 family. Sure, they could’ve discussed if he had future career plans but everyone’s storyline got mega rushed and shoved in the last fifteen minutes.

TK was introduced to us in Season 1 as a character who was so profoundly impacted by his dad’s absence because of his job that TK literally went into firefighting because he wanted a (his) father. This led to him questioning if he wanted to still be a firefighter at all. He switched to EMS, which he was great at and had fun at, but it’s still in the realm of emergency services.

And then, CPS (and I hate this reasoning too) said that their jobs are too dangerous to adopt Jonah. It’s ridiculous and not true buuuuut… the caseworker was right about Jonah needing consistency. He’s a three year old who has been through a lot of trauma: he lost two parents suddenly, even if one is still alive, he was in congregate for probably at least a month, and now he had to move from his home to a new place. Having caregivers who worked long/overnight shifts from the get go might impair his ability to settle and attach. Kids that age need consistency. It’s why child welfare loves when one parent is a SAHP. Because it gives the kids a more consistent connection. It’s not a requirement by any means but it is really helpful to kids, especially ones Jonah’s age.

I also don’t think TK is quitting forever. IIRC, the showrunners said if they got more seasons, TK would’ve eventually got back to the firehouse. But even if he didn’t, I actively push back on the idea that TK wouldn’t feel totally happy and fulfilled being a stay at home dad. TK gets to be the dad he dreamed of having. He gets to take Jonah to the Zoo and the park and Gymboree and to the library for story time. He’s there when Jonah goes to bed and when he wakes up in the middle of the night with a nightmare.

People can feel just as happy and fulfilled being a stay at home parent as they can in a career. Captain Vega was very fulfilled staying home for a bit to take care of her girls and she had a fast paced, high action career as a paramedic captain before she took a break to take care of her girls.

Honestly, as endings for TK go, I like it. I wish it had been his choice and not the adoption agency’s but other than that-

TK staying being a stay at home dad (presumably temporarily but even if it’s long term) feels 100% in character for him and feels like a full circle moment.

Owen chose the firehouse over TK. TK chose Jonah over the firehouse. He made a decision. He broke the Strand curse of being an absent father. And that is a pretty great ending for TK.