I Still Can’t Believe 9-1-1 Fans Completely Forgot About Buck’s Girlfriend

Fans of ABC’s 9-1-1 love Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark). In fact, it’s not exactly a stretch to say that he and Edmundo “Eddie” Diaz (Ryan Guzman) are the show’s most popular personalities. Like his good pal, Buck has evolved tremendously throughout the series. He’s grown as a person and found love multiple times, but fans seem to (perhaps willingly) forget one of his most recent relationships.

Now, admittedly, it’s easy to lose track of Buck’s many affiliates. He begins 9-1-1 as a stereotypical “player” and slowly evolves into the caring goofball fans adore today. It’s a heartwarming transformation that’s filled with more than a few romantic fails. His most recent courting attempt with Tommy Kinard (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) may be his most controversial, but that’s likely because fans have mostly ignored his predecessor.

Natalie Dollenmeyer Was (One of) Evan Buckley’s Girlfriends

• At the beginning of 9-1-1, Buck is a new recruit at the 118. He is filling a spot left by someone transferring to Station 217. It is later revealed that he “replaced” none other than Tommy Kinard.

Natalia Dollenmeyer (Annelise Cepero) is first introduced in 9-1-1’s sixth season. Within her first appearance, in “Death and Taxes”, she’s serving as a “death doula”. Per her own description, the job revolves around helping others cope with and prepare for their demise. Naturally, she and Buck meet during one of the 118’s more peculiar calls. The fiasco begins with a car ramming into what appears to be a funeral. Upon arrival, the team extricates the “dead” woman, Marie Ellis (Lynn Milgrim), from beneath the car.

She explains she is dying, and the firefighters have stumbled upon a “living funeral”. Buck’s new romantic interest is then introduced as the event’s organizer. Following their strange meeting, the pair goes on a coffee date, during which Buck expresses interest in Natalia’s job. Later, they’re seen enjoying a game of pool at a dive bar. As far as Buck’s relationships go, his romance with Natalia is fairly normal — perhaps even healthy. Yet, by the beginning of the show’s seventh season, Natalia has disappeared.

What Happened to Natalia Dollenmeyer?

• During her brief stay on 9-1-1, Natalia appears in just three episodes. She is last seen in the sixth season’s finale, “Pay It Forward”.
• Natalia is Buck’s sixth relationship. She is preceded by Abby, Ali, Taylor, and Lucy. By episode count, she is the shortest of Buck’s relationships. Even Abi, who departs in the Season 2 finale, appears in more episodes than Natalia.

So, where did she go? Buck is quick to explain his former flame’s absence in “Abandon Ships”, the premiere episode of Season 7. After politely refusing a go-karting invite, Eddie suggests Buck take Natalia. The well-meaning idea is shot down, however, when Buck explains they split up. Apparently, her fascination with death had become too overbearing. It’s far from the first failed relationship for Buck. Moreover, the explanation is perfectly acceptable.

Knowing that one of his exes was last seen in a precariously dangling train car, it’s safe to say that Natalia is one of Buck’s less dramatic break-ups, too. As for the behind-the-scenes facts, Natalia’s departure is part of the show’s transfer to ABC. When producing 9-1-1’s sixth season, the writers made everything under the assumption that they were working on the final episodes. Buck’s sudden girlfriend was their attempt to give everyone a typical happy ending. So, when the show returned for Season 7, her hasty addition was (perhaps rightfully) deemed unnecessary.

Natalia Dollenmeyer Was Not Popular With 9-1-1 Fans

• In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Tim Minear gave a few reasons for Natalia’s absence. In addition to the canonical explanation, Minear noted that the Season 7 premiere only “had so much real estate,” and Natalia didn’t make the cut.

Plenty of narrative possibilities opened with Natalie’s departure. Buck begins his tenure on ABC with a fresh romantic slate and plenty of opportunities to find a new beau. Later, his crowd-pleasing revelations with Tommy Kinard proved that 9-1-1’s writers made the right choice.

But even before that, Natalie wasn’t exactly popular. Her sudden appearance threw many fans for a loop. Some considered her an extraneous addition. A considerable contingent of 9-1-1’s followers were upset that Natalia blocked Buck’s route to a canonical fling with Eddie. So, as harsh as it sounds, Natalia’s departure was met with a round of applause. Like Eddie, many fans voiced their discomfort with her morbid obsession.