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 adorned Military vet and devoted father.
Leaving Los Angeles and the life he constructed wasn’t a simple choice, 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 drawback together with his new job: he was mendacity to his household about it.
When Christopher and his pal 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-recognized place however at a complete new place in his life.
It was a giant episode for Eddie, and we needed to speak about 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 developing.
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 looks 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 wanting ahead to it personally as a result of there’s a lot concerned in it. And I feel one of many scariest issues that you are able to do from being separated from your loved ones for thus lengthy is to return to the household dynamic and see how one can reintegrate. [Laughs]
I feel 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 primarily based on what occurred in season seven.
He’s obtained so much that he must work on to be accepted, so to say, by his personal son and to actually step into that fatherhood position.
In the course of the episode, Eddie decides to mislead Christopher and his mother and father about getting the firefighter job.
How lengthy do you assume he was ready to maintain that ruse going? He was pushed by not eager to disappoint Christopher, however do you assume the rest was at play in his decision-making?
Most likely till he may purchase his truck again. That’s most likely 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 in a position to be part of the El Paso hearth 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 amazing quantity of feelings that really feel once more, like when he obtained 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 proper 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 fighting?
I feel now he’s obtained 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 the very best candidate you’ll be able to have.
He’s seeing that he’s obtained assist from the household he curated in L.A., and he’s dealing with these obstacles so much in another way.
He’s carried out a lot inner work. We’ve seen him be self-destructive in so many various variations of himself. He’s the struggle 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 sides aren’t as sharp anymore. He’s rounded them off. He’s taken on this position somewhat — to not say simple, however simpler.
On the finish of the episode, Eddie and Christopher speak, and Eddie is relieved that his son desires him to stay round. However it felt like that was simply step one to strengthening their relationship.
What do you assume Eddie might want to do transferring ahead to proceed to restore that dynamic?
Now, it’s simply displaying up. You simply gotta carry on displaying up. And I take that from my very own private experiences. Simply being there on your child is half the battle.
Being an grownup, you get pulled in so many various instructions, and you need to prioritize work, the home, and your individual relationships.
However on the identical time, for those who simply present up on your youngster with the intent to information your youngster in the proper course and set up a deeper reference to them, I feel 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 turning 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 decide up on that and actually permit for Eddie to be again in his life, and because the father he’s all the time needed.
This was the 118th episode of 911, which could be very thrilling. Since becoming a member of the collection 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 collection started?
Oh, man, that’s a very good query.
Over the course of seven years, I didn’t notice how jovial, comedic, and lighthearted Eddie was.
You recognize, that was one thing new. After I first obtained the character, it felt militant, , an all-American perfection is the objective form of environment.
He does what he must do for the crew. He places himself final, and over this course of seven years, we’ve seen that every one change in the very best methods, ?
We’ve seen him must lean on different people when he couldn’t care for 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 reality. And there are such a lot of totally different evolutions of Eddie now.
It’s a really preferred character. Even with the obstacles, he’s dealing with them in another way and permitting extra levity in his life.
How vital do you assume it’s for Eddie to have any individual like Buck, who he’s in a position to name throughout this episode when he’s struggling, and to know that he has unwavering assist from his greatest pal?
That’s all the pieces. I shout out to my greatest mates. Like I attempted for the longest time to do issues — that is simply me personally — issues by myself, pondering that you need to be a lone warrior. A survive, undergo in silence form of particular person, which does go hand in hand with Eddie.
However understanding 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 progress and the power to stability these concepts and points.
And with Buck, he’s giving him stable recommendation and saying, “Simply present up. Be there for him. You’re not on the market to be the very best Uber driver. You’re not on the market to be the very best firefighter. You’re on the market to be the very best father.”
So, sound recommendation. And it’s one thing so easy that you simply 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 greatest pal in entrance of you to try this. I feel that’s all the pieces 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 progress in these subsequent couple of episodes, however then he’s additionally going to be examined and have one thing deliver him again to the old-school Eddie.
And we’ll 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 immediately, however how do you assume you’ll do for those who have been a rideshare driver? Do you assume you’ll excel in the way in which that Eddie was in a position to excel?
I’d have a tough time not speaking to individuals, for positive. [Laughs]. I’m very talkative. I don’t know if I’d do nice.
Particularly delivering my good truck for a Prius, like no disresgard to the Prius, all love. However I feel I’d do first rate. You recognize, I’d get 5 stars.
5 stars?
Perhaps, , arrange the towelettes, mints, and all the pieces. Make everyone really feel good and cozy in my automotive. [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 course of Eddie’s story?
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