Paul Strickland

"*Growing up the way I did, there was a lot of folks who wanted to hurt me, so I guess I learned to figure out who they were before they figured who I was.*"
—Paul Strickland[src]

**Paul Strickland** is a main character of FOX's *9-1-1: Lone Star* who is a firefighter in the newly rebuilt Station 126 located in Austin, Texas. He debuts in the first episode of the first season and is portrayed by starring cast member Brian Michael Smith.

## History

### Early Life

Paul grew up in Chicago maintaining close relationships with his father who he idolized and his little sister, Naomi who looked up to him. At a young age, he lost his father to a heart attack, devastating him.

When he was 17, he came out to his family as trans and his family accepted him with open arms. Unbeknownst to him, as Naomi was 9 years old at the time, she was unable to understand the full situation and was never explained on what was happening. As he transitioned, she felt that the "big sister" she looked up to was being erased in front of her, and his true self replaced her without explanation, leaving her resentful. Paul took this resent as her not fully accepting his true self, as she called him "P" instead of his true name, leaving their relationship strained. He left home that same year.

Paul became a firefighter at 20 years old.

Growing up, Paul developed a keen sense of observation and attention to detail to keep himself from being attacked by others who wanted to hurt him. He learned to figure people out before they could figure out who he was. Before joining the 126, Paul worked with the Chicago Fire Department, and went viral after tackling an arsonist who started the fire they responded to, deducing only the culprit would carry firearms. This would earn him a stack full of "Life-Saving Commendations."

### Joining the 126

Paul came down to Texas to interview for one of the positions at the 126. He joins when Owen promises him a salary raise.

### Briefly Dating

In "Studs", he meets Josie, a woman who got stuck with glitter in her eyes during an emergency call at a strip club. She comes by the firehouse after that to bring Paul a brisket and tells him that she left her number with it so he can text her about the brisket or something else. They start texting but Paul doesn't ask her out yet because he's afraid of reality being disappointing if he has to tells her he's trans. He usually meets women on dating app because everything is written on his profile. Paul asks Josie on a date at the bowling where she tells him that her ex-boyfriend couldn't stand the fact that she was a tomboy but that "you can't help who you are" which gives hope to Paul to tell her that he's trans. At the end of the date, the pair share a kiss and Paul tells her that he has to tell her something. The next day, Josie comes by the firehouse and she tells him that she's not "as evolved as she thought was" and that she doesn't think that she can't get pass the fact that he's trans. Later that day, TK and Carlos bring him to a club with them to cheer him up.

### Family Reunion

Paul's mother, Cynthia and Naomi pay him a surprise visit traveling in an RV in "Everyone and Their Brother". Cynthia happily greets him while Naomi and him say their brief hellos, a sense of tension notably building. Paul talks to Cynthia, who tries to keep the peace saying she and Naomi planned to travel across the world down to South America and take a vacation after a year of stay at home orders. Naomi assures they are fine, and mentions that Paul couldn't have remembered how small their apartment was back in Chicago. Cynthia invites him to dinner later that night which he accepts. After they leave, Paul worries about Cynthia, who has cardiopulmonary disease and believes what they were doing was crazy, blaming Naomi for encouraging her.

Later at dinner, he has a good time with the two of them until they mention the trip. Naomi mentions that they found a way to keep Cynthia safe, and mentions their plans of zip lining in Costa Rica. Paul expresses his major concerns, and Naomi accuses him of looking at the negative side of everything. Paul asks them if they considered the dangers facing the trip and what would happen if the RV breaks down, leaving two vulnerable women out in the open. Naomi angrily tells him that he does not get to "play the gender card" regarding this, leading to an argument. Paul accuses Naomi that she never dealt with who he really was. Naomi tells him that the issue wasn't about him being trans, and Paul mentions that she just kept doing what she wanted, never making him feel accepted compared to the rest of their family. Naomi then emotionally tells him that she was 9 when he came out to the family, never having explained what happened to the sister she worshipped growing up. She tells him that it felt like the family pretended she never existed, and the pictures coming down made the memories feel forgotten as if she didn't have a sister who she loved, and that he "killed her", ending the dinner.

A few days later, Paul receives a text from Cynthia that they never made it out of town and she was in the hospital. He hurriedly rushes to the hospital, but is surprised to see that Cynthia was fine, that they were there because of Naomi having a flare up from MS. Paul shockingly finds out she was diagnosed three years ago, and that Naomi told her mom not to tell him as it wasn't her business to tell. He realizes that the trip was for Naomi, and begins to understand her feeling of having big news dropped on him without an explanation. He sits down and apologizes to Naomi for never having dealt wit her when he left home. He explains that it was tough figuring out who he really was back then, but should have considered her feelings when she was younger. Naomi emotionally tells him she understood that her big sister never existed, and stopped missing her a long time ago, but misses her big brother instead. Paul assures her he is right there for her, and she tells him she loves him, calling him Paul instead of P for the first time. The three of them come in for a big emotional hug, with Paul and Naomi having repaired their relationship.

Some time later, Paul, Marjan and Mateo help repair the RV and as he says goodbye, he makes Naomi promise to keep in contact as they go along. Naomi promises, and thanks her big brother for looking after both of them. He hugs them both goodbye as they head off.

### Changing Firehouse

After the firehouse blew up in "The Big Heat", Paul starts working with the 122 until the 126 firehouse is rebuilt. There, he joins Marjan and Judd who now work there too. When the 126 and their loved ones go to rebuild the firehouse on their own, Paul is present when Billy announces that he's shutting down the 126 permanently.

### Ice Storm

At the 129, Paul notices Marjan coming in and looking angry. He warns Judd about it before she gets to them. Judd apologises for not taking her call in the morning and that she was most likely there when the demolition ball swung, Marjan replies that there was no ball swinging and that the 126 is still standing for the time being. Marjan says that everyone gave up when Owen abandonned them and Paul replies that he didn't abandon them, the department just wouldn't reinstate him. Marjan tells him that this isn't actually true and that he could've been reinstated the next day but he chose not to. Marjan shows them the apology letter that Billy sends her and that all Owen had to do was sign it and he didn't. Judd tells her that he wouldn't apologise to that snake - Billy - either. Marjan says that if he had just sucked up his pride, he could've been helping them fight for the 126. Paul tells her that that fight has been over months and Marjan replies that it's only over because Owen walked away and when they lost their leader, they lost each other. Marjan turns away and starts leaving, both men ask her what she's doing and she tells them that she's going to get him back and to tell Captain Andrews, she's taking a snow day after Judd reminds her she has a shift.

### Hypothermia

The 122 arrives at the shelter that collapsed that is on fire when it hit a gaz line when it dropped. Carlos tells Captain Andrews that they managed to get everyone out but they need to get the people to another shelter. Judd intervenes and says that he called the warming centers and they're all filled up and the shelter isn't open for another 4 hours. Carlos tells them that he might know a place that's open now. Soon, the 129 arrive on scene too. They put out the fire and create an ice palace. Carlos runs to Judd, Paul and Mateo to tell them that someone is still stuck inside, a teenager volunteer named Lindsey. Paul tells him that they had a list and Carlos replies that she was the one in charge of the list so she didn't count herself. Captain Andrews tells them that if they send a team in, they could be looking at a secondary collapse before Captain Tatum says they'd have to assume she survived the first collapse. Tatum tells Mateo that if he hears any sounds of the roof cracking, he has to get out of there and Andrews tells his team that if anyone isn't confident going inside, they can stay outside with no judgement. Once inside, Judd, Mateo and Paul and their teams are looking for Lindsey and they separate to have more space to explore. Judd calls out for her and they hear banging from Lindsey as a response. While Paul is separated from the rest, a part of the roof collapses and projects him away from where he was standing.

In "Thin Ice", after the building collapses, Paul tries to contact his team but can't because his radio is busted. He frees his leg and looks around before finding Lindsey. She asks him what happened and he tells her that the roof collapsed before asking her if anything hurts. She tells him that she doesn't think so. He introduces himself and checks her for signs of concussions, asking her to follow his finger and asking her where she is. She replies that they're at Providence then continues with saying "Tuesday. Joe Biden", Paul chuckles and realises that she played that game before. Lindsey asks him how he knows her name and Paul tells her that his team and him have been sent there to rescue her. Lindsey says that she can't believe it and Paul tells her that she's a 16 years old volunteer in a shelter and that world can't afford to lose kids like her. Lindsey says that she actually can't believe someone noticed she was missing, Paul tells her that they did and that his team are looking for them right now. Paul tries to radio in his team again without success before telling Lindsey to cover her ears and shooting for Mateo and Judd. Lindsey asks if she can see his radio and when she does, she tells him that she can fix it.

Thanks to Lindsey fixing his radio and to Grace helping them, Paul manages to radio-in Judd and Mateo and tells them he's in the locker room. Paul tells her that it's because of her that they'll be find and Lindsey replies that it's actually because of her that they're stuck here and that she should've gotten out with everyone else when Carlos told them too but that when the roof started to come down, she froze and that's it's all her fault. Paul tells her that she's being a bit too hard on herself. Lindsey replies that she isn't, she always choke up under pressure and that's why she quit dressage and cello. And she says that now they could literally freeze to death, because of her. Paul tries to reassure her by saying that his team is on the way and that they're going to be fine, right before the water pipes burst and are soaking them. Paul quicky radio Judd and Mateo and tells them they have to shut the water off which Judd says to Captain Andrews. Few seconds later, the water is shut off. Lindsey tells him that she's really cold and Paul tries to reassure her and tells her that she's going to be fine. Mateo points out to Judd that if they're hypothermic and wet survivals went from hours to minutes.

Later, Paul finds a trash bag - which is a potential life saver - and tells Lindsey that she has to strip downs, she's confused and asks him why because she's already freezing. Paul tells her that wet clothes drop her body temperature even faster so anything that isn't dry as to come off, but she doesn't have to worry because she won't be totally naked, she'll be wearing the trash bag since it'll keep the body heat in her body, it'll keep her alive. Lindsey changes her clothes and Paul gives her his turnout coat, claiming that he won't need it because he's from Chicago and he's used to the cold. Some time later, they're both waiting for Judd and Mateo to come save him and Paul stops Lindsey from falling asleep because if she does, she dies. She tells him that her eyes are so heavy and he tells her that his are too but that they need to fight. He tells her about a woman he dated years ago who was a resident and when she worked 30-hour shifts, she used to put pebbles in her shoes so it could piss her off and you can't sleep if you're pissed off. Paul asks Lindsey what pisses her off and she tells him that she doesn't know because she's not an angry person. Paul raises his voice and asks her if that makes her sound nice, it doesn't, it makes her sound pathetic before yelling at her to get real and tells him what pisses her off. She tells him that she's pissed off when people make her feel invisible: kids at school, volunteers at church, her dad when he has a deadline. Judd warns them that they're about to make a hole in the wall so it might get shaky where they are. Paul replies that they're ready for the excitement. While they're breaking the wall, Paul's vision gets blurry and he falls unconscious, Lindsey tries to get him to wake up, asking Judd and Mateo for help. Lindsey yells at Paul and it wakes him up, she asks him what pisses him off and he asks apart from people yelling at him. She says yes. Paul tells her that what pisses him off is the fact that they closed down his firehouse over some bullshit. Lindsey asks him what bullshit and he tells her that it was about budget cuts. Lindsey asks him why does he love the 126 so much and Paul replies that it's the people. Lindsey tells him to talk about the people. Paul tells her about Marjan who is his "ride or die", Judd who is a redneck but he's all heart and Mateo too. She asks him about his Captain and Paul tells her he's the reason Paul came down to Texas and that he misses him. He falls asleep and Lindsey shakes him so he wakes up. Mateo arrives at that moment and tells them to stay put, they're coming for them right now. Judd joins them and they get Lindsey and Paul out. Judd giving his turnout coat to Paul so he can get warm up a little before Paul is brought to the hospital.

In "Shock and Thaw", Paul is in his hospital bed when Judd and Mateo comes in. Both of them hug him and Judd asks him how he is feeling. Paul replies that his core temperature is still 90 degrees but that the doctor says he will keep all his fingers and toes. Then, he tells Judd that his turnout coat is in the cabinet and Judd thanks him for looking after it for him. Paul thanks them for saving his life out there and that he knew if anyone was going through these walls, it'd be his boys from the 126. Judd tells him that it's because he knows how they do. Paul continues by telling them he loves them and and when Mateo offers the idea of hugging again, Judd hugs him at the waist since he's sitting and Mateo is standing, before saying that they love him too. After, Paul asks them what happened with Marjan, if she actually got Owen to sign the apology letter to Billy. Judd replies that it remains to be seen. Paul asks if Owen is still being stubborn and Judd replies that it's because they haven't heard back from Marjan yet. Paul says that he feels like she would've checked in by now, Mateo replies that cell service is out and that her and Owen are probably riding out the snow together now. Judd jokes saying that God will have to help Owen if he doesn't sign the letter before walking out of there. Mateo says that knowing Marjan if he doesn't sign, he's not walking out at all.

They're interrupted by Lindsey's parents coming into the room with arms full of gifts bags before being followed by Lindsey attached to an IV bag. She apologises to Paul for her parents who insisted on bringing him gifts to thank him. Paul says that it's okay and that they didn't have to do this. Cole - Lindsey's father - says that he saves their daughter's life, it's the least they can do. First, they give a lambswool throw since he's recovering from hypothermia. He adds that he'll open the Rolexes later, Mateo asks Judd if he really said Rolex with a "s" and starts looking through the bags before Judd slaps his hand. Lindsey apologises once again about her parents. Cole thinks Paul doesn't like the blanket and asks him if he wants another color because they can get him a new one in a special order. Mateo says that Paul should say he likes it so they don't kill another lamb, Judd reassures him by saying they don't kill lambs, they just shave them. Paul says that it's a very lovely blanket but they're too generous. Cole replies that they're just getting started before asking Paul if he wants a Maserati. Judd and Mateo starts laughing and Paul looks confused repeating what Cole just said. Cole confirms that he means the car unless Paul wants a truck. Paul replies that he couldn't accept this, it's just too much. Mateo says that he could accept it, remembering them that he was at the rescue too with the jackhammers. Cole asks them to forgive him before asking for Mateo's last name, Judd stops him and tells him that they're alright and that the reward of being a firefighter is the job itself. Cole says that he respects that because he feels the same way about his work, Judd asks him what his line of work is and Cole replies that he's in the milk cartons. Mateo asks him how can he offers all of that by selling milk and Cole corrects him, saying he's selling the cartons, not the milk.

In "Push", Paul is sitting with Nancy and Marjan outside of TK's room when Owen gets there and tells them about TK's condition and about going to find Billy to give him the apology letter. He tells Owen it's good to have him back.

### Return of the 126

Weeks later, Owen and Marjan are outside the 126 watching as it is about to be demolished. They're soon joined by Tommy, Nancy, Judd, Paul, Mateo and TK who hold a box full of pastries and they share hugs when they see each other again. Owen asks them what are the odds of those pastries being gluten free, Nancy answers that there's no way and that everything is bad in those pastries, Paul adding that today they're eating their feelings. Owen gives up and asks TK to gives him a bear claw. TK asks Marjan what she wants, handing her the box and she tells everyone to just save her one with tons of sugar. Marjan thanks them for being there and Mateo tells her they would never miss it - again. Paul says that the 126 being demolished stings and Judd agrees, saying that he spent the best years of his life there. When the ball is about to swing, Marjan gets a notification and realises that her GoFundMe finally got fully funded. TK asks her to stop messing with them and she tells him she's not, Owen is surprised that someone gave them $4.6 millions and Marjan tells him that they actually got $5 millions. Owen asks her who would do that and Marjan replies it's someone called Cole Robertson who no one know except for Paul since Cole is Lindsey's father. Owen and Marjan run to the foremen and tell them to stop.

Later, Paul is present at the opening ceremony of the 126, standing beside Mateo, Judd and Marjan and pushing in their firetruck into the firehouse once Owen's speech is over. At the party, Paul teams up with Lindsey in a game against Mateo and Nancy and he asks Marjan to pick a winner, where she chose Lindsey since her parents made the whole reopening possible. Then he's dancing with everyone else.

### Heart Issues

In "The Bird", Paul wakes up in the middle of the night after a nightmare where he was being crushed by a firetruck. Marjan wakes up because of the noises and run to him, trying to calm him down. She asks him if she should get Tommy to come check on him but Paul tells her he's fine. She checks his temperature and pulse which is all over the place.

Later, Paul goes to a doctor appointment with Marjan. He tells Paul that he has a severe arrythmia and that given the demands of his job, he's surprised Paul still hasn't have a cardiac event. Paul says that he feels like a million bucks but Marjan jumps in and says that it's not entirely true, that he had a few dizzy spells and shortness of breath at night sometimes. The doctor asks when those symptoms start and Paul says that it's been a few months ago, Marjan adding that he was in the collapsed shelter during the ice storm and got hypothermia. The doctor asks him if he has any history of cardiac troubles in his family and Paul replies that his dad died of an heart attack when he was 36. Then, the doctor asks him if he's been having nightmares and Marjan replies for him, telling him that yes he has. The doctor replies that he thinks Paul has Brugada Syndrome, a very rare and quite serious heart condition and that while untreated, it can be fatal, there's remedies that can minimize the risk to near none, like implanting a defibrilator. Paul replies that he can't have a pacemaker at 38 years old, knowing what it would to his fitness and how the Department would probably put him on limited duty or force him in early retirement. Then, the doctor tells Paul that without this procedure he doesn't seem him make it past 40 years old.

Then, he and Marjan go back to his apartment where Marjan tells him that he won't go through this alone, that she'll go with him in Owen's office and she'll be with him every steps of the way but Paul tells her that he's not doing the surgery because of the doctor said. Marjan tells him that his life isn't over because he can't run into burning buildings anymore. Paul says that he doesn't intend to find out and Marjan asks him if he's just going to go back to work and pretend everything's fine and Paul tells her he's been fine doing that for 18 years. Marjan tells him that if he continues, he'll end up just like his dad and Paul replies that it'd be an honor beause his dad is the greatest man he ever knew. Marjan tells him that she just doesn't want him to die and Paul says that he doesn't want to either but he'd rather die a firefighter than live any other way.

Later during a call, Paul picks up a metallic shelf to free a dog and Marjan goes to him, asking him what he's doing, putting risk on himself like that. At night, when Paul is at home preparing dinner, he has a cardiac event and falls unconscious to the ground, thankfully Marjan comes to check on him, calls 911 and performs CPR on him when she notices he has no pulse and no respiration. Paul wakes up at the hospital where he soon realises that they put the defibrilator in his chest, he angrily asks Marjan why she let them put this thing in him and Marjan replies that they didn't exactly consult her before doing that. Paul says that she should have stop them and Marjan asks why she should've stop them, Paul replies it's because she knew his wishes and that it wasn't her choice to make. Marjan says that she didn't choose, the doctor and his body did. Paul asks her to leave the room, telling that he can't look at her right now before still thanking her.

In "Parental Guidance", Paul is on a medical leave when the 126 minus Marjan come check up on him. While he's telling Owen and Tommy that the doctor said he's healing "beautifully", Owen asks him if they told him when he can come back to work but Paul replies that they're waiting for him to get his strength back.

Later, Owen and Judd come to see him at his place. They try to get him out but Paul tells them they can't understand what he feels, how it feels to not be able to trust your own heart to keep beating. Owen replies that yes they don't but he's not the first person to have a pacemaker. Judd tells him that the pacemaker isn't making him any different than before but Paul tells them that it does, his arms and legs are like cement since the surgery, that he has no energy or strength left and that his reflexes are gone. Then, Owen picks up the remote and throws it at Paul who catches it easily, showing that his reflexes are fine. Owen and Judd both leave after they tell him that they'll pick him up the next day and that he should take his running shoes.

The next day, Owen and Judd take Paul to the training room where they're soon joined by Tommy. Paul worries that he might have a heart attack while training but Owen and Tommy both tell him it's highly unlikely but if it does happen, the pacemaker is here for it. They managed to convince him to do the training and Paul succeeds to make it through.

Later, Paul is back at the training center about to have his physical exam in front of an AFD officer, he's worrying but Judd tells him that everyone is right behind him before Paul looks at TK and Nancy who came to support him, he points out that not everyone is here and Owen replies that Mateo is at the AFD headquarters for a meeting and Judd says that Marjan had a prior engagement. Paul tells them that he's not ready but Owen assures him that he is, Paul asks what he should do if he fails and Marjan arrives and tells him that he'll just get up and try again. Paul apologises for ghosting her and they make up before Paul starts his exam. He's a few minutes in when his pacemaker gives him a shock and he falls on the ground but then he gets up and finishes his exam, shrugging off everyone's worry.

In "Prince Albert in a Can", Paul is back at the firehouse on desk duty and in "Negative Space", he's out on calls again.

## Personality

Paul is very smart and intuitive. He's seen many times using his intuition and skills to find out the truth about a call he and the 126 are on. He's also an avid reader. Paul is kind and loving towards his family and friends, always supporting them, and even with people he meets on call with who he easily bonds. He's also ready to risk his life to save someone's else if he can.

## Relationships

### Asha Fulton

Paul and Asha first met in Mrs Templeton's sixth grade class in Hidden Oaks school in Chicago. After she moved to Texas, they lost each other and only met up again when Asha was hired as the HR Representative for the case between the Geralds and Marjan where she tells Paul that she recognised him because she could never forget his smile. Later, they go on a date which ends up making Paul uncomfortable as Asha keeps showing him pictures of them as children that she found. As of "Swipe Left", they are in a relationship. She was his plus one at TK and Carlos' wedding and she's now invited to 126 hangs.

### Josie

In "Studs", he meets Josie, a woman who got stuck with glitter in her eyes during an emergency call at a strip club. She comes by the firehouse after that to bring Paul a brisket and tells him that she left her number with it so he can text her about the brisket or something else. They start texting but Paul doesn't ask her out yet because he's afraid of reality being disappointing if he has to tells her he's trans. He usually meets women on dating app because everything is written on his profile. Paul asks Josie on a date at the bowling where she tells him that her ex-boyfriend couldn't stand the fact that she was a tomboy but that "you can't help who you are" which gives hope to Paul to tell her that he's trans. At the end of the date, the pair share a kiss and Paul tells her that he has to tell her something. The next day, Josie comes by the firehouse and she tells him that she's not "as evolved as she thought was" and that she doesn't think that she can't get pass the fact that he's trans. Later that day, TK and Carlos bring him to a club with them to cheer him up.

### Marjan Marwani

Paul and Marjan are best friends. He gives her advices about her issue with the woman at the mosque in "Texas Proud". In "2100°", Paul hugs her after she's done boxing and starts crying after they lost Tim. Paul feels protective of Marjan in "Friends With Benefits" at first when Salim is waiting for her at the lockers of the Roller Derby. Later that week, once he learns that Salim "broke up" with Marjan, he tells her that he can't imagine how anyone could let her go. In "Everyone and Their Brother", he's protecting from the blast of the explosion at the minefield. In "Slow Burn", he's supporting through everything that happened with McKenna and he's by her side when they're trying to save her life. In "Dust to Dust", they share a hug when Paul arrives at the 122 where them and Judd are going to work since the 126 is out of service. They're shown to be really competitive with each other when they're playing games. Paul calls her his "ride or die" in "Thin Ice".

### TK Strand

Paul and TK are close friends. In "Studs", TK encourages Paul to go on a date with Josie. When later in the episode, he found out that the end of the date didn't go well, he and Carlos tell Paul that he has to come with them to a club where they spend the night dancing. They share a hug after TK comes clean about his addiction in "Austin, We Have a Problem". In "Difficult Conversations", they're struggling to tell Mateo about the typo in his tattoo and try to get Marjan to be the one who tells him. In "Displaced", they're teasing each other while the firefighters are cleaning the firetruck. In "Bad Call", after TK's speech at his party, Paul tells him that they all love him.

### Mateo Chavez

Paul and Mateo are close friends. Paul is shown to be protective over Mateo like a older brother would be, while teasing him every once in a while.

### Judd Ryder

Paul and Judd are good friends. They grew closer after having to work together at the 122 with Marjan, for 8 months.

## Trivia

* Paul's observation ability is often referred to as him "doing a thing" by the members of the 126.
* He lives at 20 Duncan Court, apartment 6. ("The Bird")
* He is ordained and officiated his cousin's wedding. ("Swipe Left")

## Appearances

 "**Friends Like These**"

 "**Everyone and Their Brother**"

 "**The ATX-Files**"
 "**Prince Albert in a Can**"

 "**This Is Not A Drill**"
 "**Double Trouble**"

## References

1. ↑ "Everyone and Their Brother"
2. ↑ "Yee-Haw"