‘9-1-1’ Midseason Finale Sets Up One Character’s Shocking Departure

Disney/Ray Mickshaw

Throughout Season 8 of 9-1-1, Eddie (Ryan Guzman) has faced an existential dilemma. Separated from his child Chris (Gavin McHugh), who moved to his grandparents’ home in Texas after the calamitous events of Season 7—in which he inexplicably saw his father making out with his late mother’s doppelganger, telenovela-style—he has since faced crises of faith, purpose and direction.

In the midseason finale of the ABC firefighter drama, the charismatic 118 crew member’s feelings of guilt and inadequacy have reached a boiling point, leading to a life-changing decision that may alter the course of his relationships forever.

Read on below for a recap of 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 8, “Wannabees,” and the biggest questions we have going into March’s midseason premiere.

Why is Eddie considering a move to El Paso?

As established, Eddie has been in a bit of a funk (generously speaking) since the Season 8 premiere. His cry-for-help mustache, which he dramatically shaved off in Episode 6 alongside a spot-on Risky Business homage, has been a point of contention and derision for his colleagues and loved ones alike. In “Confessions,” he meets with a priest to make sense of his duties as a father, explaining that he doesn’t feel he is deserving of joy or forgiveness, and believes he should be punished for the missteps that have resulted in his separation from Chris. (It is also the first episode in which Eddie explicitly states he is straight—more on this later.)

In the following episodes, he’s shown FaceTiming his son, who, as teenagers are wont to do, seems to be picking up new friends and hobbies with each subsequent brusque call. It leaves Eddie feeling more alienated and disillusioned by his role as a father and role model.

In “Wannabees,” however, a conversation with pseudo-macho and himbo actor Brad Torrance (Callum Blue) shocks him into action. When Eddie shares how wide the gap between him and Chris has gotten over the past three months, Brad opens up in turn, saying that he left his son in England to pursue a career in entertainment and is now still holding out hope of receiving a wedding invitation from him. At the episode’s conclusion, best friend Buck (Oliver Stark) walks in on Eddie, who is in mid-preparation for a meeting with a virtual real estate agent. When Buck realizes Eddie is considering homes in Texas and not Los Angeles, he offers to stay and help him pick a suitable place (as well as offset his bad taste).

Where does this leave his friendship with Buck?

Guzman, as he previously told Parade, knows of fervent fan support of “Buddie,” the designated ship name between his character and Stark’s. “Me and Oliver are very aware of the fandom and what they like to see from our characters and where they want us to go and [his coming out] was a taste, a sense of that through Buck’s character,” he said in an interview earlier this year.

When Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) broke up with Buck in an earlier episode, citing— quite eloquently and painfully—that he would end up heartbroken by the latter’s exploring of his sexuality,  it seemed that the door was possibly open for the former to explore other forms of his relationship with Eddie. “I’m your first, not your last,” Tommy said, turning down Buck’s sweeping offer to move in. As Buck continues stress-baking in lieu of calling Tommy and seeks Eddie’s support, it seemed their relationship was primed for more intimacy—in whatever shape that might take.

While Buck is outwardly supportive of Eddie’s steps toward moving, a lingering shot reveals he is clearly upset, shocked and worried. Viewers might beg the question if his trepidation is indicative of platonic care, or the realization of deeper, unspoken feelings. However, with Eddie stating he is straight and this impending move, the stage is set for a shifting dynamic not in Buddie’s favor. Or, perhaps for the hopeless romantics, a declaration of grandeur?

What other loose ends will 9-1-1 explore next?

One of the other main plots to be picked up in 2025 is Maddie’s (Jennifer Love Hewitt) pregnancy, as she navigates the joy of carrying a second child amid the realities of her past experience with postpartum depression.  There are also the questions of the role of “Hotshots” in the 118 and Bobby’s (Peter Krause) future, as well as Athena’s (Angela Bassett) career change, which will include her training rookie cops.