This article contains spoilers for 9-1-1 season 8, episode 8, “Wannabes”9-1-1co-creator and showrunner Tim Minear previews Buck’s storyline when the show returns, revealing that it will be focused on Eddie. The midseason finale of9-1-1season 8, titled “Wannabes,” written by Molly Green & James Leffler, and directed by Bradley Buecker, largely kept the focus away from any major developments for the main cast. That is until the episode’s closing minutes, which has Eddie (Ryan Guzman) confessing to Buck (Oliver Stark) that he plans to move to Texas to be closer to his son. Buck is shocked by this, though he tries putting on a brave face for his best friend.
In an interview withScreen Rant’s Rachel Foertsch about the9-1-1fall finale, Minear was asked about what Buck’s storyline will look like when the ABC drama returns with new episodes in March. The showrunner, who co-created the series with Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, mentioned that Buck’s storyline will bemore focused on Eddie and that Buck will experience a bit of needinessand anxiousness:
When we come back for the second half, at first, Buck’s story is a little more centered around what’s going on with Eddie, and what he’s about to lose there. And then he will of course end up putting all of his anxieties and neediness—he’ll find something else besides baking to funnel all that into. We’ll see how well that works out.
What The Showrunner’s Comments Mean For Buck & Eddie
Their Relationship Will Be In The Spotlight
Buck isn’t having a great time of it as it is, feeling unsure of himself after Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) broke up with him earlier in the season. It’s a contrast to Eddie, who has learned to become more proactive and sure of himself after starting to let go of his guilt. Although things aren’t great with his son Christopher (Gavin McHugh) after the9-1-1season 7 finale, Eddie is optimistic and determined to make things right. That contrast could have a big impact on a potentially long-brewing storyline.
Ryan Guzman
Eddie Diaz
Eddie’s move to Texas, after all, is happening after the fan-favorite pairing known as “Buddie” shared a beer on the couch as a way of finding solace in each other’s company. The beer-sharing could be seen as the moment that Buck realizes what Eddie means to him. Whether or not the show is going to take that leap, following along the lines of other TV couples whose slow burn kicked off with a drink,Buck is faced with the possibility of losing his best friend. That won’t be easy, especially not for a character that has a hard time letting go.
Our Take On Buck’s Season 8 Storyline
He’s Not Only Losing Eddie
As exciting as it is to know that Buck and Eddie will have more scenes together when the show returns, there is another component to the story, which is Buck’s bond with Christopher. Buck has been close to Eddie’s son for most of the show’s run, which has provided the series with one of its most joyous scenes. Their survival of a tsunami, likewise, remains the thrust of one of9-1-1’s best episodes. As much as the long-running drama is about to foreground Buddie, they should alsograpple with the fact that Buck is losing two people.
9-1-1season 8 will return with new episodes on Thursday, March 6 at 8 PM ET on ABC.
9-1-1
Cast
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear reimagine the procedural drama with “9-1-1.” The series explores the high-pressure experiences of first responders — including police officers, firefighters and dispatchers — who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must attempt to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives. The show draws from real-life, high-pressure experiences of first responders who regularly face heart-stopping situations that are often unpredictable, intense and uplifting at the same time.
