{"id":134231,"date":"2024-11-22T16:10:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T16:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/22\/why-9-1-1-fans-think-season-8-might-deliver-a-buck-and-eddie-romance\/"},"modified":"2024-11-22T16:10:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T16:10:17","slug":"why-9-1-1-fans-think-season-8-might-deliver-a-buck-and-eddie-romance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/22\/why-9-1-1-fans-think-season-8-might-deliver-a-buck-and-eddie-romance\/","title":{"rendered":"Why 9-1-1 Fans Think Season 8 Might Deliver a Buck and Eddie Romance"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n Oliver Stark and Ryan Guzman.<\/span> Disney\/Chris Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fans have been hoping to see 9-1-1\u2032<\/a>s<\/em> Evan \u201cBuck\u201d Buckley and Eddie Diaz turn their friendship into something more for years \u2014 and some fans think season 8 could be when their wishes come true.<\/p>\n

The \u201cBuddie\u201d craze began in season 2 when Ryan Guzman<\/strong><\/a>, who portrays Eddie on the series, joined the Station 118 crew. The character was introduced to the soundtrack of \u201cWhatta Man\u201d by Salt-N-Pepa, as Buck (Oliver Stark<\/strong><\/a>) turned around in slow motion to set eyes on the (shirtless) newbie for the very first time. While there was some initial tension between them, they quickly became friends and have only grown closer as seasons progressed.<\/p>\n

When 9-1-1<\/em> made its network swap from Fox to ABC in 2023, fans pointed out that the Buck and Eddie content increased significantly, causing some to speculate on whether a romantic story line for them was actually in the cards.<\/p>\n

While Buck came out as bisexual in the 100th episode in season 7, Eddie still identifies as straight \u2014 but the hope for a romantic Buddie remains strong. Stark and Guzman, meanwhile, have weighed in on their beloved dynamic multiple times over the years.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Ryan Guzman Says It Would Be ‘Baby Steps’ to a Buck and Eddie Romance<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tOliver Stark and Ryan Guzman are very aware that 9-1-1 fans are hoping to see their characters, Buck and Eddie, get together \u2014 and they\u2019ve opened up about whether there\u2019s potential for a romance on multiple occasions. \u201cI\u2019m open to it. You know, there\u2019s obviously stuff there and there\u2019s a chemistry between us,\u201d Stark, who [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt works two ways, right? I definitely see that as a potential story,\u201d Stark said during an April episode of the \u201cI\u2019ve Never Said This Before\u201d podcast. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen with Eddie\u2019s character. But then I also think you have to tread carefully because I don\u2019t want to tell this story where [a] guy comes out and now all his male friends are like \u2018Aw, so what, you got a crush on me?\u2019 Like, I want to be careful of telling that story.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cI get asked, \u2018Will it happen?\u2019 [all the time], not, \u2018Do I want it to happen?\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cBut when people ask me, \u2018Is it going to happen?\u2019 I\u2019m always like, \u2018I don\u2019t know. I don\u2019t write the show.\u2019 But as far as \u2018Do I want it to?\u2019 I also don\u2019t know. Certainly, I\u2019m open to it if that\u2019s what [showrunner] Tim [Minear]<\/strong> decides [is] the most honest way to continue telling the story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Guzman told Us<\/em> Weekly<\/em> exclusively that in his eyes, the \u201cultimate goal\u201d is to keep the \u201cconnection\u201d between Buck and Eddie as strong as it\u2019s always been, especially now that Buck is navigating a new chapter of his life with his sexuality.<\/p>\n

\"Why<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause now we\u2019ve unveiled this new vulnerable side of Buck, and last season we got to unveil this new side, vulnerable side of Eddie,\u201d Guzman told Us<\/em> at the time. \u201cSo the connection is just that much more muy sympatico.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guzman added that\u00a0he\u2019s \u201chere for\u201d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0whatever the show does with the two characters, as long as they keep what makes the dynamic so special intact.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever happens between the characters happens, but I think the sanctity of that vulnerability is what needs to be kept, and the connection,\u201d the actor explained. \u201cWhatever happens with Buck finding if he wants to explore this route [with his sexuality] even further or not, that connection maintains itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

9-1-1<\/em> returns to ABC in March 2025. Keep scrolling for all the reasons fans think the rest of season 8 might be heading toward a Buck and Eddie romance:<\/p>\n

The Jealousy Arc<\/b><\/h3>\n

Season 7\u2019s \u201cBuck, Bothered, Bewildered\u201d will go down in 9-1-1<\/em> history as the episode Buck realized he\u2019s queer. And while the hour ended with him sharing a passionate \u2014 and great kiss with Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr<\/strong>.), \u2014 the rest of the episode led some fans to believe Buck was actually realizing his romantic feelings for Eddie. After all, he spent most of his time vying for his best friend\u2019s attention. (Example: lifting the heaviest weights he could find and risking injury just hoping to catch Eddie\u2019s eyeline.)<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s almost a feeling of searching or uneasiness, not necessarily with Eddie, but within himself,\u201d Stark explained to Us<\/em> at the time of how things played out. \u201cAnd it\u2019s easier sometimes to put that onto somebody else than have to do the self-reflection and self-interrogation of, \u2018Hey, what am I actually feeling here?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Stark noted that Buck\u2019s \u201csearching\u201d ultimately manifests through his long-standing friendship with Eddie, but there was more going on beneath the surface.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think once you watch the episode, you actually realize it\u2019s not necessarily that. He just doesn\u2019t quite understand what he\u2019s feeling,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd this jealousy [with Eddie] is the way that it manifests itself, but it\u2019s not necessarily the root cause of his unease.\u201d<\/p>\n

While his relationship with Tommy ended up being quite a beautiful one for Buck, those moments of desperately needing Eddie\u2019s affections haven\u2019t left fans\u2019 minds and serve as an important stepping stone for story points in season 8.<\/p>\n

Buck and Eddie Are Closer Than Ever\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

While seasons 5 and 6 were lighter on Buck and Eddie content, seasons 7 and 8<\/a> \u2014 after making the network swap from Fox to ABC \u2014 brought back the \u201cBuddie\u201d content in full force. The duo typically don\u2019t go a single episode without sharing the screen in some capacity, with the show making a point to reserve time for their friendship. From getting mind-numbingly drunk together to celebrating Eddie\u2019s son Christopher\u2019s (Gavin McHugh<\/strong>) birthday, the duo are always sharing life experiences.<\/p>\n

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Disney\/Chris Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They Know Each Other Better Than Anyone<\/b><\/h3>\n

While Buck\u2019s (now ex) boyfriend Tommy was there for him in season 8 episode 5 when he was convinced a mummy curse had caused him to develop boils all over his body \u2014 yes, that really happened \u2014 9-1-1<\/em> made a point to have Eddie pop up alongside Tommy to help Buck in his time of crisis too. (No, like, literally every time.)<\/p>\n

The episode, titled \u201cMasks,\u201d also highlighted just how well Eddie knows Buck. Eddie was the first person at the hospital to sit by Buck after he fell and dislocated his shoulder \u2014 even being the one to ask when Buck could safely return to work after his injury \u2014 and was the sole person who could calm Buck down about his supernatural worries. He even called Buck out for \u201cpicking\u201d at his boils without so much as glancing his way.<\/p>\n

Eddie Flirted With a Priest \u2026<\/b><\/h3>\n

To be fair, Eddie proclaimed himself a \u201cstraight\u201d man when he thought a priest (played by Gavin Stenhouse<\/strong>) was hitting on him in episode 7 of season 8. However, he quickly played into flirtatious banter when Father Brian called his mustache \u201chandsome,\u201d causing fans to spiral over the smiley exchange.<\/p>\n

\u2026 And Is on a Journey to Find His \u2018Joy\u2019\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Thanks to Father Brian, Eddie quickly realized that he needs to stop being hard on himself over Christopher\u2019s absence and embrace his \u201cjoy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s stepping outside of his comfort zone, allowing himself to feel uncomfortable and awkward and put himself in positions that he\u2019d probably not want to be in previously and\u00a0 just taking on a new look at life, to be honest,\u201d Guzman explained to Us<\/em> earlier this year. \u201cI mean, I think it\u2019s really a retransmission in the mind before anything physical or or environmental happens around him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guzman has also highlighted how Eddie carries a lot of \u201cCatholic guilt\u201d from his past and feels an obligation to take care of others, which keeps him from figuring out what he actually wants for himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s coming from being in the army and having to take care of his regimen and literally being a medic, suturing people together, to going to the 118 and taking care of other individuals or taking care of his ex-wife [Shannon], and then she passes away and now [he has his] son to take care of \u2014 it\u2019s always been about somebody else,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s always been about responsibilities, and I know that from a personal standpoint, too many responsibilities can weigh heavy on the soul, and then it kind of kills that childlike behavior, that mentality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does this mean Eddie\u2019s journey will lead him to explore his sexuality? Entirely unknown, but certain fans are hoping to see those dots connected.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Buck Gets Comforted by a Pantsless Eddie on ‘9-1-1’: Friendship Timeline<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\t9-1-1\u2019s Evan \u201cBuck\u201d Buckley and Eddie Diaz have been a beloved duo since the show\u2019s second season \u2014 with some fans even hoping their friendship will turn into something more. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Silent Couch Commiserating\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

An interesting exchange came in the sixth episode of season 8 when, after Eddie let loose and boogied down<\/a> like Tom Cruise<\/strong> in Risky Business<\/em>, Buck showed up at his doorstep reeling over his breakup with Tommy. There could be something said about Eddie opening the door \u2014 after seeing it was Buck \u2014 and deciding it was unnecessary to put pants on, but we digress. The true moment came when, without a word, Buck handed Eddie a beer and headed straight for his couch. The episode ended with the pair sitting in silence, with Eddie looking relaxed and Buck looking burdened.<\/p>\n

While this might not immediately read like a significant moment between the two, it\u2019s notable that the duo can show up for each other even without words.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the dynamic between Buck and Eddie is really interesting this season because as we move on, they\u2019re both going to be dealing with a lot, and to see the different ways that they deal with their struggles but how they can incorporate each other and their friendship and their bond and still be there for each other, even though they\u2019re dealing with things in very, very different ways,\u201d Stark told Us<\/em> about the pair\u2019s season 8 relationship earlier this year.<\/p>\n

Stark called it a \u201ctestament\u201d to Buck and Eddie\u2019s friendship \u201cthat they can sit in a room in silence and know that they need support, but you don\u2019t have to have a verbal answer. You don\u2019t have to be able to say the right thing sometimes. You just need to be there. I think that\u2019s a really beautiful sign of true connection and that\u2019s something that we get to really embrace this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the added elusive \u201ccouch theory,\u201d a concept pointed out by fans over the past few seasons that signifies how Buck feels about a relationship. After a few failed romances, Buck decided he didn\u2019t want to buy a couch as the last two he purchased \u201ccame with girlfriends. When Buck\u2019s parents eventually bought him a replacement couch, Buck found it too uncomfortable and instead headed over to Eddie\u2019s, subsequently falling asleep on his<\/em> sofa, instead. This season, Buck and Eddie have had multiple of scenes on Eddie\u2019s couch \u2014 with some fans seeing it as a hint there are deeper emotions there. When it comes to Eddie, Buck is all about the couch. Get it?<\/p>\n

\u2018The Look\u2019\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

During the season 8 midseason finale, Buck discovered that Eddie was making plans to move from L.A. to Texas in order to be closer to his son. Although Buck pretended to be excited for Eddie \u2014 and even offered to be his \u201cwingman\u201d while searching for homes \u2014 the audience became privy to Buck\u2019s real feelings when Eddie turned away and Buck\u2019s excitement turned to a look of deep concern.<\/p>\n

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