Many mourned the ending of9-1-1: Lone Star, but its true potential is only becoming clearer with time thanks to a new Netflix hit. While Owen Strand (Rob Lowe) and the rest of Austin’s station 126 seemed poised for a much longer run on Fox,9-1-1: Lone Star’s cancelationsadly ended the first-responder drama after five seasons. Yet, the procedural overlooked one actor’s unique abilities.
Carlos Reyes (Rafael L. Silva) was a fan favorite for obvious reasons— he was charming, nuanced, and part of one of the9-1-1franchise’s best couples. Unfortunately,Silva’s true talents were underutilized, as evidenced by his starring role in Netflix’sThe Waterfront. Aside from sitting at an impressive 70% onRotten Tomatoes,The Waterfronthas achieved widespread acclaim from viewers.
Rafael L. Silva Shines In Netflix’s The Waterfront
Shawn Was An Important Character Who Held His Own
Undoubtedly,Silva’s stellar acting was no small contribution toThe Waterfront’s resounding success. In the celebrated crime drama, Silva portrays Shawn Wilson, a bartender who was recently hired at a restaurant owned by the central family— the Buckleys. Unbeknownst to them, however, Shawn was patriarch Harlan’s (Holt McCallany) secret child resulting from an extramarital affair with Wilson’s mother, Bebe.
Though it takes place in a fictional town,The Waterfrontis based on the creator, Kevin Williamson’s true experiences.
While many characters inThe Waterfrontare morally gray at best, Shawn is simply a man on the hunt for his biological father who gets tangled up in the Buckleys’ secret drug smuggling business. Though Harlan eventually accepts Shawn as his son, one of thebiggest questions forThe Waterfrontseason 2is whether Shawn will stay in town.
Ironically, there are a few striking similarities between Shawn and Carlos. InThe Waterfront, Shawn moved from Texas, where9-1-1: Lone Startakes place. Additionally, though it is revealed subtly in a line of dialogue,Shawn, like Carlos, is gayand has an unnamed boyfriend who never appears but is mentioned inThe Waterfrontseason 1.
Shawn indicated being gay prompted his martial arts training, implying he feared for his safety because of his sexuality.
Shawn’s sexuality comes to light during an intense fight scene, where the bartender goes toe-to-toe with Topher Grace’s Grady and his henchman. After the drug dealers threaten Belle (Maria Bello), Shawn steps in and takes down the men with impressive, precise attacks. As he explains to Belle,Shawn’s combat skills are the product of extensive martial arts training.
9-1-1: Lone Star Failed To Properly Utilize Silva’s Martial Arts Background
Carlos Didn’t Get To Show Off His Combat Skills
Unfortunately, while Silva stood out inThe Waterfront, he wasn’t given the same opportunities as Carlos Reyes. Throughout thefive seasons of9-1-1: Lone Star,Carlos was often a supplemental character. Occasionally, he would have independent storylines— including being kidnapped by a serial killer— but he was most often used for his love interest, TK Strand’s (Ronen Rubinstein) character development.
All episodes of9-1-1: Lone Starare streaming on Hulu.
When he first appeared in9-1-1: Lone Star, Carlos was an Austin Police Department officer. Despite his low rank, Carlos often took interest in and assisted cases led by detectives, one of whom encouraged Carlos to aim higher in his career. After his father’s tragic death just before the9-1-1: Lone Starseason 4 finale, Carlos becomes a Texas Ranger.
Yet, regardless of9-1-1: Lone Star’s intense rescuesand Carlos’ frequent involvement in them,Rafael L. Silva rarely had the chance to utilize his Brazilian jiu-jitsu expertise. The most lively action sequences occurred in the latter half of9-1-1: Lone Starseason 5, when Carlos faced off against his fellow Rangers, Sam Campbell (Parker Young) and Chief Bridges (Alan Autry).
That’s not to say9-1-1: Lone Starwas without its exciting moments, of course. Owen and TK once saved a woman’s life on a mid-flight airplane. Judson “Judd” Ryder (Jim Parrack) drove into a poisonous gas cloud to save a man. The 126 even prevented a nuclear meltdown. Therein lies the issue: usually, only the firefighters get to see action.
Why 9-1-1: Lone Star Would Have Benefited From Carlos Having More Combat Scenes
Action Sequences Would Have Set Carlos Apart
In both the flagship series and the first spinoff,firefighters have been the most important characters in9-1-1. While dispatch call centers and police investigations have contributed to invaluable storylines and unforgettable moments, everyone outside the core firehouse is secondary. Part of what creates that impression is the distance between non-firefighter characters and the memorable action sequences.
There are alwaysover-the-top emergencies in the9-1-1franchise, but the firefighters are the only people present for the majority of them. Granted, it’s logical for paramedics to be there for wacky medical crises, just as it’s fitting for firefighters to bust into burning buildings. Nevertheless, there are moments in between that9-1-1: Lone Starcould have focused on Carlos.
As a cop (and later Texas Ranger), Carlos was in a unique position where9-1-1: Lone Starcould have included more physical storylines. Especially considering Silva’s actual training, it’s baffling how the procedural chose to sideline Carlos. If9-1-1: Lone Starhad simply given Carlos more opportunities to show off his combat skills, it would have set his character apart.
Stunts always add stakes, which are pivotal for procedurals like9-1-1: Lone Star.
Furthermore, it would have made9-1-1: Lone Starmore exciting to watch. Whether it’s a fight scene or a daring rescue, stunts always add stakes, which are pivotal for procedurals like9-1-1: Lone Star. Aside from giving his character more depth,incorporating Silva’s real-life skills would have enriched the showas a whole.
Can Silva Still Return In The 9-1-1 Franchise?
Carlos' Happy Ending Leaves The Door Open, But It’s Unlikely
Luckily, there’s always a possibility that Carlos Reyes could return thanks to9-1-1: Lone Star’s ending. Unlike the original series— which killed off Peter Krause’s Bobby Nash in season 8—everyone survived in9-1-1: Lone Star’s series finale, meaning anybody could hypothetically cameo in another franchise title. Sadly, possible doesn’t necessarily equate to probable in this case.
Although Carlos, by all accounts, had a happy ending in9-1-1: Lone Star— he solved his father’s murder, survived the asteroid-nuclear meltdown double disaster, and adopted a child with his husband— it all ties him down. It’s whatCarlos and TK’s relationship in9-1-1: Lone Starwas always building towards, but his happy ever after leaves Carlos trapped in Texas.
As such, Carlos can’t easily relocate to join a9-1-1franchise title as a main cast member. Unless the series creates a convoluted justification,Carlos won’t uproot his entire familyand move across the country. Similarly, since TK quit his paramedic career in the9-1-1: Lone Starseries finale, he can’t transfer to a new station to explain the relocation.
9-1-1: Nashvillewill premiere on ABC in fall 2025.
Nevertheless, there are a million other believable but temporary plots that could be introduced to explain a crossover appearance. With9-1-1: Nashvilleclose on the horizon, it would be nice to see familiar faces again. Unfortunately, Rafael L. Silva’s martial arts will never be explored to the extent that9-1-1: Lone Starcould have throughout its five-year run.
