911: Lone Star's Tarlos can teach us all about active listening

If there is one relationship I need to see survive to the end in 911: Lone Star, it’s TK and Carlos, affectionately known as Tarlos. They have taught us a lot about healthy relationships over the years, especially in the final season.

911: Lone Star season 5 has certainly put Tarlos to the test. We saw them in marriage counseling as their first anniversary came up. Now, marriage counseling isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but most couples only go for it when they’re reaching a breaking point. That has been the case here; TK and Carlos are falling apart.

However, just as it looked like Carlos’ obsession over his father’s murder could end their marriage, things took a positive turn. We got a look at how important active listening is.

Active listening is more than hearing what people say in 911: Lone Star

Carlos certainly listens to TK in therapy and in life. That doesn’t mean he actually hears what his husband has to say. And it’s the case the opposite way around, as well. We know that TK is listening to Carlos, but he’s not actually hearing him.

Active listening is essential in a positive and healthy relationship. It’s something Tarlos shows us in 911: Lone Star season 5. This isn’t to say that it will all work out for them in the end and that they won’t go through a bit more hardship—I want to see them as endgame—but active listening is essential for hope that the relationship will last.

Bringing the best anniversary gifts thanks to active listening

Both Carlos and TK show that they have actively listened and taken in what each other has had to say. When Carlos brings up the guitar lessons, TK goes out to buy a guitar and lessons as his anniversary gift. He makes it clear that he paid attention to something that was important to Carlos. It would be easy to say, “Oh, yeah, I remember that date you wanted to go on, and I’m sorry it didn’t happen.” TK made a point of saying, “I see that this was important to you, and I’m going to make it happen.”

Meanwhile, Carlos figured out a perfect gift he could have only come up with by listening to TK. He made it clear that he heard TK say they were growing apart. That’s something Carlos doesn’t want, and the best way for him to show he actively listened was by bringing a box and offering to put everything from work into it every night. His gift is him—every part of him on a night.

I’m a big supporter of show rather than say. When it comes to relationships, I want to see action. That’s what we’re getting with Tarlos in 911: Lone Star. No, it doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Sure, they can have moments where they don’t listen because they’re both human. But they show that it’s possible, and they show us what happens when you actively listen.

911: Lone Star airs Mondays at 8/7c on FOX. Catch up the following day on Hulu.