We’re nonetheless just a few 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.
For the reason that finish of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 8, now we have been left with a tantalizing trailer that reveals Athena on the hunt for a doable serial killer and Maddie seemingly of their crosshairs.
The 2-parter appears 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 should always anticipate 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 stunning reveal got here when Buck unexpectedly confirmed up at Eddie’s and caught him taking a look at houses on-line.
This prompted the considerably flustered man to speak in confidence to his greatest pal 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 prospect on this planet that Eddie by no means makes that transfer.
Maybe that is only a little bit of a crimson 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 resolution emblazoned in his downcast eyes and crestfallen face when he realized there may quickly be a actuality during which Eddie Diaz was now not residing in the identical metropolis as him.
However what if Eddie DOES go to Texas? What does that appear to be for him? What does that appear to be for the 118?
And what does that appear to be for 9-1-1?
We’ve seen the 118 down a member on multiple event. Chimney spent a big portion of 9-1-1 Season 5 on the highway on the lookout for Maddie, whereas Eddie spent important 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 distinct 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 choices he’s made, alongside he and his son having some powerful conversations and dealing on their father-son relationship.
That’s what we should 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 mind-set, 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 best way solely a child can do throughout 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 1 to being on significantly better phrases throughout one other video name in the course of the midseason finale.
We missed all of that improvement, however the sequence has the prospect to rectify that in the event that they transfer ahead with sending Eddie to Texas.
Not solely would that enable 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 will 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 dwelling and what it will take for Eddie to get to a spot the place he was able to convey him dwelling, he replied, “He needs to be stable inside himself.
“When he goes to Christopher, he needs to be conscious of what occurred but additionally not play the cardboard of claiming, ‘Woe is me’ or ‘I’m so sorry that this occurred.’ It’s possession. And that’s, I feel, 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 need to typically decide your self up or lean in your group.’ And he’s your group.
“So, I feel it will be a ravishing alternative to reconnect along 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 resolution to permit Christopher to go along 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 greatest for his son, however it’s gone on lengthy sufficient.
It might seem to be a rash resolution to up and transfer, however he’s doing it as a result of that’s his child. That’s a very powerful individual in his life, and it’s time to have these uncomfortable conversations face-to-face and rebuild that relationship.
It’s onerous to try this over video calls.
Except for shifting nearer to his son, returning to his hometown must also present Eddie with the chance to work by the problems he’s had along with his mother and father and his childhood.
If you grow to be an grownup, the issues that occurred to you once you had been youthful don’t simply magically disappear, even in case you have a higher perspective in maturity.
Eddie has many feelings surrounding his upbringing, and shifting to Los Angeles with Christopher was a recent 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 “convey 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 keen to acknowledge the errors and assumptions they’ve made through the years?
Will they be keen to fulfill Eddie midway if he expresses his frustrations along with his upbringing and what he’s been by? IF that’s one thing he even needs at this level in his life, it might 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 will be fascinating to see him and his mother and father collectively once more and what that relationship may appear to be now. Once more, that’s if Eddie needs to take action.
Being dwelling may convey issues into focus.
You by no means know the place you’re going till you recognize 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 really appears 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 might be a necessary second for Eddie to reconcile along with his previous as he continues to maneuver on along 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 particular 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 beginning, however after all, Buck would really feel a way about it. Their journeys are linked in numerous 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 in regards to the potential transfer, however he confirmed trepidation. Whereas he could also be outwardly supportive of Eddie’s resolution, 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 grow to be extraordinarily essential to them.
We’ve seen Eddie exterior of the 118, and so they can discover a solution to fill his spot (hiya, Ravi!), however his probably giving up his spot shall be a change for a group that has simply been reunited with the return of Bobby from his stint over at Hotshots.
Identical to Hen had her moments adjusting to Chimney’s absence whereas he was away from the job and the town, the identical might be stated for Buck.
He’ll probably wrestle within the aftermath of dropping his work accomplice and certainly one of his closest confidants. Everyone knows Buck’s historical past and his fears of abandonment, which can probably convey forth loads of deep-rooted emotions.
The place will that depart the Buckley-Diaz household?
There’s the potential for some actually fascinating storytelling as the 2 navigate this new dimension of their relationship: distance.
Exterior of Buck, Eddie’s absence from Los Angeles would have a ripple impact that will 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 organising this new world in El Paso for Eddie, even when solely short-term, would convey one thing totally different to the long-running sequence.
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; actually, 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 could be 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 probably shifting again to Texas.
Will the present go there?
Let me know the way you’re feeling in regards to 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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