It’s been a very long time coming (nicely, since earlier in 9-1-1 Season 8), however Eddie Diaz touched down in Texas throughout 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 12, sparking a brand new chapter within the story of the embellished Military vet and devoted father.
Leaving Los Angeles and the life he constructed wasn’t a simple resolution, however Eddie knew that he needed to repair the connection together with his son, Christopher, and if that meant uprooting his life, then he would do exactly that.
Settling into Texas proved to be harder than he imagined, and when he couldn’t land a firefighter job in his hometown, he turned a full-time rideshare driver, which he ultimately excelled at. However there was one huge downside together with his new job: he was mendacity to his household about it.
When Christopher and his good friend dialed up Eddie’s new Toyota Prius to snag a trip, Eddie discovered himself confronting his lie and feeling like he had as soon as once more let down his son.
This season has been a whirlwind for the elder Diaz, who struggled with Christopher’s absence and is now embarking on this new journey in a well-known place however at an entire new place in his life.
It was a giant episode for Eddie, and we needed to discuss it with the all the time considerate and beneficiant Ryan Guzman, who was a delight and broke down Eddie’s mindset and what we are able to count on to see arising.
Take a look at this enjoyable and enlightening dialog under.
Eddie’s transfer to Texas has been within the works for a couple of episodes now, however seeing him start once more in Texas appears like such a giant second for his character and journey. How have you ever felt concerning the storyline and beginning this new chapter in Eddie’s journey?
I’ve been trying ahead to it personally as a result of there’s a lot concerned in it. And I believe one of many scariest issues that you are able to do from being separated from your loved ones for therefore lengthy is to return to the household dynamic and see how one can reintegrate. [Laughs]
I believe that’s relatable to many people in our private lives. So, understanding that he’s not coming to a son who’s going to be outright welcoming him, and that there’s a little bit of rigidity based mostly on what occurred in season seven.
He’s acquired rather a lot that he must work on to be accepted, so to say, by his personal son and to essentially step into that fatherhood function.
Through the episode, Eddie decides to mislead Christopher and his dad and mom about getting the firefighter job.
How lengthy do you assume he was ready to maintain that ruse going? He was pushed by not desirous to disappoint Christopher, however do you assume anything was at play in his decision-making?
In all probability till he may purchase his truck again. That’s in all probability it. [Laughs]
I don’t know. We all know that Eddie tends to fib a bit and bend the reality to maneuver round his actuality. However at this level, he was so embarrassed about the truth that he was not capable of be part of the El Paso fireplace division that it appeared like he was lower than.
And that he can’t make it work out right here like he may in L.A. And that’s the very last thing he desires to point out his household and the very last thing he desires to emulate for his son.
So he felt a bit like a failure, and that drove him to lie and perform the lie for who is aware of how lengthy till he ended up getting caught, clearly. When he will get caught, it’s simply an overflow—an awesome quantity of feelings that really feel once more, like when he acquired caught with the ghost of his lifeless ex-wife.
So it’s like he simply can’t get it proper, irrespective of how a lot he tries to be concerned in Christopher’s life and do the best factor. He simply can’t get it proper.
Is he beginning to perceive extra that he received’t all the time get it proper and to not beat himself up as a lot, or do you assume that’s nonetheless one thing he’s battling?
I believe now he’s acquired such a security web in Buck and his 118 household as a result of, I imply, even going out for the job in El Paso, it’s Bobby saying each time he desires a job, he’s one of the best candidate you’ll be able to have.
He’s seeing that he’s acquired help from the household he curated in L.A., and he’s dealing with these obstacles rather a lot in a different way.
He’s finished a lot inside work. We’ve seen him be self-destructive in so many alternative variations of himself. He’s the combat membership model of Eddie, doing that, and getting locked up in jail for a bit.
Eddie needed to undergo all these various things to ultimately be the person who determined to slap on some underwear and dance like Tom Cruise. [Laughs]
So, many issues have helped Eddie permit himself to like himself, and now he’s dealing with these new obstacles with much more ease. The perimeters aren’t as sharp anymore. He’s rounded them off. He’s taken on this function a little bit — to not say straightforward, however simpler.
On the finish of the episode, Eddie and Christopher speak, and Eddie is relieved that his son desires him to stay round. But it surely felt like that was simply step one to strengthening their relationship.
What do you assume Eddie might want to do shifting ahead to proceed to restore that dynamic?
Now, it’s simply exhibiting up. You simply gotta carry on exhibiting up. And I take that from my very own private experiences. Simply being there in your child is half the battle.
Being an grownup, you get pulled in so many alternative instructions, and it’s important to prioritize work, the home, and your individual relationships.
However on the identical time, in case you simply present up in your youngster with the intent to information your youngster in the best path and set up a deeper reference to them, I believe all of it falls in alignment.
And that’s what Eddie’s doing with Christopher.
He’s like, “Look, I’ve accepted my life in El Paso. I’ll transfer wherever for you, buddy, and I’ll do any form of job even when it requires me giving up a solidified and really prestigious job as a firefighter and changing into an Uber driver; I’ll do it for you, buddy.”
So, the proof is within the pudding, and he’s main by instance; if he continues this route, I really feel like Christopher will choose up on that and actually permit for Eddie to be again in his life, and because the father he’s all the time wished.
This was the 118th episode of 911, which may be very thrilling. Since becoming a member of the sequence in season two, we’ve seen Eddie undergo a lot and study and develop.
However what have you ever personally discovered about Eddie this season that maybe you didn’t know when the sequence started?
Oh, man, that’s a superb query.
Over the course of seven years, I didn’t understand how jovial, comedic, and lighthearted Eddie was.
You understand, that was one thing new. After I first acquired the character, it felt militant, you realize, an all-American perfection is the aim form of environment.
He does what he must do for the workforce. He places himself final, and over this course of seven years, we’ve seen that every one change in one of the best methods, you realize?
We’ve seen him must lean on different people when he couldn’t maintain himself. We’ve seen him mislead himself to an extent the place different individuals needed to name him out, and he has to come clean with his personal fact. And there are such a lot of completely different evolutions of Eddie now.
It’s a really appreciated character. Even with the obstacles, he’s dealing with them in a different way and permitting extra levity in his life.
How essential do you assume it’s for Eddie to have anyone like Buck, who he’s capable of name throughout this episode when he’s struggling, and to know that he has unwavering help from his finest good friend?
That’s every little thing. I shout out to my finest buddies. Like I attempted for the longest time to do issues — that is simply me personally — issues by myself, considering that it’s important to be a lone warrior. A survive, undergo in silence form of particular person, which does go hand in hand with Eddie.
However figuring out that there’s a security web round you and never only a security web however a sounding board, it’s simply the subsequent layer of life.
It permits for a lot development and the flexibility to steadiness these concepts and points.
And with Buck, he’s giving him strong recommendation and saying, “Simply present up. Be there for him. You’re not on the market to be one of the best Uber driver. You’re not on the market to be one of the best firefighter. You’re on the market to be one of the best father.”
So, sound recommendation. And it’s one thing so easy that you just assume, “Oh, nicely, why didn’t I consider that?” It’s since you couldn’t get outta your individual head, and also you do want a person like this finest good friend in entrance of you to try this. I believe that’s every little thing to Eddie.
Are you able to inform us something about what’s in retailer for Eddie as the remainder of the season unfolds?
Sure. I’ll say that Eddie could have a lot development in these subsequent couple of episodes, however then he’s additionally going to be examined and have one thing convey him again to the old-school Eddie.
And we are going to see if he has discovered something over the past seven years and if he’s making use of it, or if he’s gonna return and keep reserved and return to how we first met him.
Prior to now, you’ve spoken about similarities between your self and Eddie, and also you talked about it right now, however how do you assume you’d do in case you have been a rideshare driver? Do you assume you’d excel in the way in which that Eddie was capable of excel?
I might have a tough time not speaking to individuals, for positive. [Laughs]. I’m very talkative. I don’t know if I might do nice.
Particularly delivering my good truck for a Prius, like no disresgard to the Prius, all love. However I believe I might do respectable. You understand, I’d get 5 stars.
5 stars?
Perhaps, you realize, arrange the towelettes, mints, and every little thing. Make everyone really feel good and cozy in my automobile. [Laughs]
We’ve edited this interview for size and readability.
We’re very invested in Eddie’s storyline and excited to see what’s coming subsequent because the season progresses. What about you?
How are you feeling concerning the path of Eddie’s story?
Tell us all of your ideas within the feedback under.
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