Aaron was replaced by 2 new rookies. One of them is a black man. So, I don't think his skin color is the cause of this 'creative difference'. I suspect it's a cost issue. After being a regular, the actor might want an increase pay. They might not cut a deal, so Tru is not coming back. The way they replace him with two rookies is quite telling. As if they want to say that with the same cost they could get two similarly good actors instead of one.

People need to add streaming viewership number into the consideration. Number of cable viewers is declining overall, and it happens to all TV shows. More people use streaming service because it's more flexible, and it's getting cheaper because of ads.

It is funny! The bigger than life emergency seemed to be saved for episode 2 and 3, and I'm fine with it because we unexpectedly got a funny season opening. We usually got the thrilled ones, where the world seemed to be hanging in the balance. Never got a funny one before. And of course, I love to see Buck & Tommy keep the romance alive with their cute little flirty scene. I'm also happy to see Buck, Tommy, and Eddie getting along because the fandom has been anything but.