Buck

In the 9-1-1 Season 6 episode "In a Flash," Evan "Buck" Buckley gets struck by lightning while working on the ladder of a fire engine during a dry thunderstorm. The incident leaves him in a coma and serves as a pivotal point for his character development. The incident The call: The 118 are responding to a series of emergencies caused by a dry thunderstorm that is producing dangerous lightning strikes across Los Angeles. The lightning strike: Buck is on the ladder, but just as he reaches the top, a bolt of lightning hits him directly. He hangs lifelessly in his harness as the rest of the crew scrambles to rescue him. The aftermath: Buck is in full cardiac arrest and his team rushes him to the hospital. While en route, Chimney performs chest compressions as Eddie drives frantically. Buck is declared clinically dead for over three minutes before being revived and placed in a medically induced coma. The coma and alternate reality While in the coma, Buck experiences a vivid alternate reality, which is explored in the following episode, "In Another Life". In this dream world: He is not a firefighter but a teacher and has a better relationship with his parents. His older brother, Daniel, who died in the main timeline, is alive. His family, including his sister Maddie, is still being harmed by old traumas. He meets alternate versions of his friends, including Hen, Chimney, and an alcoholic Bobby. Buck grapples with whether he should stay in this seemingly happy reality or return to his real life. Character impact Buck's near-death experience forces him to confront his existential issues and his long-held "need to please" others. The journey through the alternate reality helps him: Realize the immense positive impact he has on the lives of his friends and family. Come to terms with the guilt surrounding his brother's death and find peace. Return from the ordeal with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence