It’s strange that 9-1-1 lets a recurring character take center stage before its four-month hiatus. No, Harry Grant, May Grant and Ravi Panikkar haven’t returned to bless the show with their presence (where in the world are they?). Brad Torrance becomes the leading man he was born to play in 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 8, “Wannabes,” and seemingly closes out his time on the series as he returns to his fictional TV show Hotshots.
“Wannabes” being the midseason finale ironically encapsulates the essence of the story. It’s a very middle of the road, lukewarm episode that is stalling for time. 9-1-1 is building up to something, but it hasn’t figured out what exactly. Otherwise, the midseason finale wouldn’t be spent on a few disconnected disasters resolved with cringy dialogue and a pat on the back. The one character who makes substantial progress, besides Brad is Eddie Diaz — and that’s long overdue.
9-1-1 Finally Brings Eddie’s Ongoing Crisis to a Head
Eddie Makes a Decision About His Future
Eddie has been going through a tough time — one that’s insistent on kicking him off the horse every time he tries to get back on. He’s the one character on 9-1-1 that is never allowed to stay happy for a consistent period of time. Even Buck’s many failed relationships and on-site accidents push him into a new era of his life. Eddie appears destined to be stuck in one or two holes: unable to form new relationships because of his grief for his deceased wife, or being a disappointment to his son. Characters are allowed to grief and struggle as single parents, but 9-1-1 has no greater plans for Eddie.
After an eye-opening conversation with Brad — who ditched his own kid for a TV show pilot — Eddie decides he doesn’t want to be an absent father anymore. Christopher may want space, but he’s also a kid that can’t make choices for his father. Cue a bombshell of a scene in which Eddie reveals to Buck that he’s planning on moving to Texas to be with his son. Buck takes this quite well, all things considered, and offers to help Eddie in the house-hunting process. Some people might interpret Buck’s look of sudden dismay when Eddie isn’t looking like a moment of awakening. The Buddie ship has been at the dock for a long time, but Buck’s glance sends another message entirely: 9-1-1 still doesn’t know if it’s going to sail the ship, so it’s just testing the water.
Eddie’s change of heart is exciting for the character, signaling a resolution to the fatherly crisis he’s been having. Moving Eddie permanently to Texas could only mean Ryan Guzman leaving the show, like fan-favorite John Harlan Kim. But several characters have made life-altering promises in the past — only to end up right back at Station 118. Unless there’s a legitimate reason Guzman wants to quit, rest assured that 9-1-1 is only making an empty threat and that Eddie is safe in California.
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