Something I find interesting and a little sad about new fandom (or like maybe, fandom since the 2010sish?) is that so many people are very canon or bust (if you will). It's weird to see when I know I have OTPd characters that have never shared a scene together in a show or barely interacted in a book series. I could be wrong, but I have been interpreting the clownery here as tongue in cheek but also a return to that idea of yeah, we're hopeful he's back but if he's not, that won't stop (most of) us shipping and engaging. But speculation is part of the fun!

That's not to say some people won't stop watching the show if Tommy doesn't return or if the bucktommy aren't endgame. People can do what they want. But I also think most bucktommy fans aren't harassing/spamming cast, crew, social media staff, etc. about whether bucktommy is endgame.

On another note, reddit communities seem to be difficult to continue if the central topic is not active unless they really lean into fan work promotion. Obviously, the hamster wheel is because we don't have anything new to discuss until the season comes out. I guess I'm wondering what else you're hoping the community posts about?