We’re nonetheless a number of weeks out from the triumphant return of the second half of 9-1-1 Season 8, and never a lot is thought about what is going to occur when the present returns.
Because the finish of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 8, now we have been left with a tantalizing trailer that exhibits Athena on the hunt for a doable serial killer and Maddie seemingly of their crosshairs.
The 2-parter seems to be to be a tense affair, the type 9-1-1 is thought for, and it’ll absolutely have individuals speaking. However exterior of that nugget, what else we must always count on from the remainder of the action-packed season is unclear.
One factor that MAY be on the horizon is Eddie Diaz shifting again to Texas.
The shocking reveal got here when Buck unexpectedly confirmed up at Eddie’s and caught him taking a look at properties on-line.
This brought about the considerably flustered man to speak in confidence to his finest good friend that he was trying to transfer nearer to his son, Christopher, who had been away from Los Angeles for fairly a while.
Contemplating that is 9-1-1, there’s all the possibility on this planet that Eddie by no means makes that transfer.
Maybe that is only a little bit of a purple herring to set off one thing else for Eddie and Buck.
There was a transparent set-up for Buck to wrestle within the aftermath of Eddie’s choice emblazoned in his downcast eyes and crestfallen face when he realized there might quickly be a actuality by which Eddie Diaz was not residing in the identical metropolis as him.
However what if Eddie DOES go to Texas? What does that appear like for him? What does that appear like for the 118?
And what does that appear like for 9-1-1?
We’ve seen the 118 down a member on a couple of event. Chimney spent a big portion of 9-1-1 Season 5 on the street on the lookout for Maddie, whereas Eddie spent vital time working at dispatch in the course of the latter a part of the identical season.
So, Eddie not being on the 118 day in and day trip wouldn’t be one thing the viewers hadn’t seen earlier than. Nonetheless, Eddie residing in a unique state and never having in-person interactions with anybody in his core group of discovered household can be an adjustment.
Popping out of 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 10, Eddie’s storyline appeared poised to be all about figuring himself out and why he’s made a number of the selections he’s made, alongside he and his son having some powerful conversations and dealing on their father-son relationship.
That’s what we must always have seen originally of this season, however exterior of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6, which noticed Eddie lastly opening up about his fears and present way of thinking, they’ve dropped the ball a bit on Eddie’s story.
All through the season, Christopher went from barely acknowledging his dad’s existence over a video name in the way in which solely a child can do throughout 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1 to being on a lot better phrases throughout one other video name in the course of the midseason finale.
We missed all of that improvement, however the collection has the possibility to rectify that in the event that they transfer ahead with sending Eddie to Texas.
Not solely would that permit Eddie to work on his relationship with Christopher in individual and present the pair speaking about all of the occasions that led them to their present state of affairs, however it might additionally assist Eddie as he continues on a journey of self-discovery.
After I chatted with Ryan Guzman after 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6 about Christopher coming residence and what it might take for Eddie to get to a spot the place he was able to carry him residence, he replied, “He needs to be strong inside himself.
“When he goes to Christopher, he needs to be aware of what occurred but in addition not play the cardboard of claiming, ‘Woe is me’ or ‘I’m so sorry that this occurred.’ It’s possession. And that’s, I believe, the following step of maturity for Eddie.
“It’s simply possession of what occurred with out beating himself down. And showcasing to his son like, ‘This occurs in life. You’ll fall. And as you fall, you will should generally decide your self up or lean in your group.’ And he’s your group.
“So, I believe it might be a lovely alternative to reconnect together with his son and present him that he’s a human being.”
Eddie’s going to Texas can be him placing within the work and displaying his son that he’s taking accountability for his actions whereas additionally being there for him and dealing on their relationship.
Eddie’s choice to permit Christopher to go together with his grandparents has been a hotly contested debate, however at this level, it’s occurred. He’s been there for months, and Eddie did what he thought was finest for his son, however it’s gone on lengthy sufficient.
It might seem to be a rash choice to up and transfer, however he’s doing it as a result of that’s his child. That’s crucial individual in his life, and it’s time to have these uncomfortable conversations face-to-face and rebuild that relationship.
It’s laborious to try this over video calls.
Other than shifting nearer to his son, returning to his hometown also needs to present Eddie with the chance to work by the problems he’s had together with his mother and father and his childhood.
While you turn into an grownup, the issues that occurred to you once you had been youthful don’t simply magically disappear, even when you have a better perspective in maturity.
Eddie has many feelings surrounding his upbringing, and shifting to Los Angeles with Christopher was a contemporary begin for each of them. They took benefit of it and excelled collectively.
They’ve created their very own little village with out his mother and father’ assist. Eddie didn’t “carry Christopher down with him;” he lifted Christopher up.
Eddie Diaz is an efficient father, however he made a mistake, one he’s acknowledged.
Will his mother and father be prepared to acknowledge the errors and assumptions they’ve made over time?
Will they be prepared to satisfy Eddie midway if he expresses his frustrations together with his upbringing and what he’s been by? IF that’s one thing he even needs at this level in his life, it could possibly be a pivotal second in Eddie’s character arc to discover these emotions.
Eddie and his father, Ramon, have began to bridge a few of that distance between themselves, however we haven’t seen a lot between Eddie and his mom. So, it might be attention-grabbing to see him and his mother and father collectively once more and what that relationship might appear like now. Once more, that’s if Eddie needs to take action.
Being residence can even carry issues into focus.
You by no means know the place you’re going till you already know the place you’ve been or one thing like that.
Eddie’s nonetheless figuring himself out and the issues he needs, and maybe being again in outdated locations will assist him uncover and even re-discover items of himself as he continues on a journey of self-reflection and actually seems to be himself within the mirror.
Shaving the mustache and eradicating the masks was step one to essentially embracing himself, letting himself discover pockets of pleasure, and feeling worthy of that.
Texas could possibly be a necessary second for Eddie to reconcile together with his previous as he continues to maneuver on together with his future, which brings me to Los Angeles. Regardless of whether or not or not Eddie strikes away, there’s little doubt in my thoughts that he’ll finally return to Los Angeles.
There was a selected motive why the reveal of Eddie contemplating shifting was arrange in order that Buck would discover out inadvertently and be conflicted about it.
Eddie shifting to Texas can be about Eddie at the start, however after all, Buck would really feel a way about it. Their journeys are linked in varied methods, and naturally, Eddie’s absence in Buck’s life would elicit a response.
Bucks stepped as much as assist Eddie when he first discovered concerning the potential transfer, however he confirmed trepidation. Whereas he could also be outwardly supportive of Eddie’s choice, there’ll undoubtedly be some inner debate about what that would imply for them.
Leaving Los Angeles means leaving the 118 and Buck. Through the years, the 2 have cultivated a relationship and a household dynamic that’s turn into extraordinarily essential to them.
We’ve seen Eddie exterior of the 118, and so they can discover a method to fill his spot (hi there, Ravi!), however his doubtlessly giving up his spot might be a change for a staff that has simply been reunited with the return of Bobby from his stint over at Hotshots.
Similar to Hen had her moments adjusting to Chimney’s absence whereas he was away from the job and the town, the identical could possibly be mentioned for Buck.
He’ll possible wrestle within the aftermath of dropping his work accomplice and one in every of his closest confidants. Everyone knows Buck’s historical past and his fears of abandonment, which can possible carry forth quite a lot of deep-rooted emotions.
The place will that go away the Buckley-Diaz household?
There’s the potential for some actually fascinating storytelling as the 2 navigate this new dimension of their relationship: distance.
Outdoors of Buck, Eddie’s absence from Los Angeles would have a ripple impact that may be an intriguing place to take 9-1-1 at this stage of the sport.
Having the 9-1-1 we’re used to whereas establishing this new world in El Paso for Eddie, even when solely short-term, would carry one thing completely different to the long-running collection.
Eddie confronting his previous has been years within the making, and contemplating how a lot his storyline has been uncared for originally of 9-1-1 Season 8, they owe it to Eddie and, frankly, to the viewers to present this storyline the time and care it deserves.
Nobody is saying Eddie needs to be there for the rest of the season; the truth is, I’ll revolt if that had been to occur, but when they decide to it, they should commit.
Eddie Diaz is an underutilized character, at occasions, who deserves this exploration, and now’s the time. Put him on the entrance of his personal story.
I’m certain you all have many ideas about this, so do let me know your ideas about Eddie doubtlessly shifting again to Texas.
Will the present go there?
Let me know the way you’re feeling concerning the doable improvement within the feedback so we are able to focus on it!9-1-1 returns to ABC on March 6 at 8/7c.
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