We’re still a few weeks removed from the triumphant second half of 9-1-1 Season 8, and we still don’t know much about what will happen when the show returns.
Since Season 9-1-1 Episode 8, we’ve been left with a tantalizing trailer that shows Athena on the hunt for a possible serial killer, with Maddie seemingly in their crosshairs middle.
The two parters looked nervous, the kind 9-1-1 was known for, it was bound to have someone to talk to. But beyond that nugget, it’s unclear what we should expect from the action-packed season.
Eddie Diaz moves back to Texas.
A surprising reveal comes when Buck unexpectedly shows up at Eddie’s and is drawn to the house he’s looking at online.
This leads the somewhat panicked man to gravitate toward his best friend, who wants to be closer to his son Christopher, who has moved on to Los Angeles.
Considering this was 9-1-1, Eddie never made the move.
Maybe this is just a red herring that leads to something else for Eddie and Buck.
Eddie’s decision is made clear in his depressed eyes and slumped face when he realizes Eddie Diaz no longer lives in the same city as him , encountering a clear struggle with Eddie’s decision.
But what if Eddie goes to Texas? What does this look like for him? What would 118 look like?
So what does 9-1-1 look like?
We’ve seen 118 members multiple times. Chimney spent much of Season 5 on the road to find Maddie, while Eddie spent a lot of time on dispatch later in the same season.
So Eddie is not on 118 every day, which is not something audiences haven’t seen before. However, Eddie is living in a different state without face-to-face interaction with anyone in his core group of members, which is an adjustment.
From 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 10, Eddie’s storyline seems to be about figuring out everything about himself and why he makes some of the decisions he makes, going through some tough times with him and his son conversations and do the work of fatherhood. son relationship.
This is what we were supposed to see early in the season, but outside of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 6, Eddie finally opens up about his fears and current state of mind.
Throughout the season, Christopher went from barely acknowledging his father’s existence, which was the way only a kid could do on 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1, to another during the mid-season finale Things are even better on video calls.
We missed all of these developments, but the series has a chance to correct that if they continue sending Eddie to Texas.
Not only does this allow Eddie to engage in a relationship with Christopher himself and show them all of the events that led up to their current situation, but it will also help Eddie as he continues his journey of self-discovery.
When I was chatting with Ryan Guzman after Season 9-1-1 Episode 8, About Christopher Coming Home, Eddie went to a place that was ready to take him home What is needed inside.
“When he goes to Christopher, he has to remember what happened but also not act like, ‘It’s me’ or ‘I’m sorry this happened.’ It’s ownership. I think that’s Eddie ) the next step.
“It’s just taking ownership of what happened without beating himself up. And showing his son: ‘This happens in life.’ You will fall. When you fall, you’re going to have to pick yourself up sometimes or lean on your community. “He’s your community.
“So I thought it would be a great opportunity to reconnect with my son and show him that he’s human.”
Eddie going to Texas would be his way to do this work and show his son that he takes responsibility for his actions while also serving him and working on their relationship.
Eddie’s decision to allow Christopher to go with his grandparents was a hotly debated one, but at this point, it happened. It had been a few months since he’d been gone, and Eddie had done what he thought was best for his son, but it had been long enough.
It seemed like a rash decision, it seemed like a rash decision to move, but he did it because it was his child. That was the most important person in his life and it was time to have those uncomfortable conversations face to face and rebuild that relationship.
It’s difficult to do this over a video call.
In addition to being closer to his son, returning to his hometown should also provide Eddie with the opportunity to resolve issues with his parents and childhood.
Things that happened when you were young don’t just magically disappear when you become an adult, even if you have a larger perspective as an adult.
Eddie has many emotions surrounding his upbringing, and Christopher’s move to Los Angeles is a fresh start for both of them. They took advantage of it and excelled at it together.
They created their own little village without the help of their parents. Eddie didn’t “send Christopher down;” he lifted Christopher up.
Eddie Diaz was a good father, but he made a mistake and he admitted it.
Are his parents willing to admit the mistakes and assumptions they’ve made over the years?
Would they be willing to meet Eddie if he expressed his frustrations about his upbringing and what he went through? Exploring these feelings could be a key moment in Eddie’s character arc if this is something he even wants in his life.
Eddie and his father Ramon have begun to bridge some distance between themselves, but we don’t see much between Eddie and his mother. So it will be interesting to see him with his parents again and what that relationship might look like now. Likewise, if Eddie wants to do it.
Coming home can also bring things into focus.
You never know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been or something like that.
Eddie is still figuring out himself and what he wants, and maybe going back to old places will help him discover or even rediscover himself as he continues his journey of self-reflection and really looking in the mirror.
Shaving and taking off your mask is the first step to truly embracing yourself, allowing yourself to find your pockets of joy, and feel worthy.
Texas could be an important time in Eddie’s past to move forward with his future, which brings me to Los Angeles. Whether or not Eddie moves away, there is no doubt that he will eventually return to Los Angeles.
There was a specific reason for the reveal that Eddie was considering moving for Buck to stumble upon and feel conflicted about.
Eddie’s move to Texas will be Eddie’s first, but of course, Buck will understand. Their journeys are connected in various ways, and it’s only natural that Eddie’s absence in Buck’s life would cause a reaction.
When the Bucks first learned about the potential move, the Bucks stepped up to help, but showed fear. While he may be outwardly supportive of Eddie’s decision, there’s no doubt what it could mean for them.
Leaving Los Angeles meant leaving 118 and Buck. Over the years, the two developed a relationship and family dynamic that became extremely important to them.
We’ve seen Eddie outside of 118 and they could find a way to fill his spot (hello, Ravi!), but his potential relinquishment would be a change for a newly reunited team Bobby stayed on the hotshot.
Just as the hen adapts her moments to the absence of the chimney as she leaves work and the city, the same thing could be said.
He may be struggling after losing his work partner and one of his closest confidantes. We all know Buck’s history and his fear of abandonment, which can bring up a lot of deep-seated feelings.
Where does that leave the Barkley-Diaz family?
There’s some truly fascinating storytelling potential as two people navigate a new dimension in their relationship: distance.
Outside of Buck, Eddie’s absence will have a ripple effect in Los Angeles, a place that’s going 9-1-1 in the tournament.
In building this new world for Eddie, getting us used to 9-1-1, even if only for a short time, will bring something different to the long-running series.
It’s been years since Eddie faced his past, and considering how much his storyline was ignored at the start of 9-1-1 Season 8, they owe Eddie, frankly , the audience brought this storyline to life. And care it deserves.
No one is saying Eddie has to be there for the rest of the season. Realistically, I’d probably revolt if that were to happen, but if they commit, they need to commit.
Eddie Diaz has been an underplayed character at times and he deserves this exploration, and now is the time. Put him at the front of his own story.
I’m sure you all have a lot of thoughts on this, so please let me know what you think about Eddie potentially moving back to Texas.
Will the show go there?
Let me know how you feel about this possible development in the comments so we can discuss it! 9-1-1 returns to ABC on March 6 at 8/7C.
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