9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 17 Subtly Hints At Eddie's Fate Amid His Ongoing Texas Plot

Following the events of 9-1-1 season 8, episode 17, Eddie's future on the show is becoming much clearer. As many know, Eddie moved to El Paso, Texas, in episode 10 to reconnect with his son, Christopher, and ensure that they didn't lose their close relationship. Christopher had previously left Los Angeles to live with his grandparents at the end of 9-1-1 season 7 after learning that his father was having an affair with someone who looked exactly like the young boy's dead mother.

Buck finds out Eddie’s moving - 9-1-1 8x08

In Texas, Eddie struggled to repair his relationship with Christopher. It also didn't help that the 9-1-1 season 8 main character had trouble finding an open position at a firehouse in the Lone Star State. However, after some time, Christopher began to open up to his father again. Now, Eddie and Christopher are on great terms (with Christopher even moving out of his grandparents' house and into Eddie's), meaning it might be time for both of them to return to Los Angeles in 9-1-1 season 8.

9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 17 Continues To Sell The Idea That Eddie Will Return To Texas

Eddie Has A New Job In Texas

Eddie pointing his finger in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 17

Eddie came back to Los Angeles when Bobby died in 9-1-1 season 8. Since then, he has stuck around (longer than he thought he would) as everyone, including himself, deals with their grief over losing their captain. In episode 17, "Don't Drink the Water," though, Eddie reveals a significant new development in his life that indicates he will return to Texas soon — he got offered a job at a fire station in El Paso, and he's slated to start asap.

Considering Eddie's new job, one would think that seals his fate in the procedural drama. However, other moments in episode 17 imply that Eddie might move back by the season 8 finale. For example, Eddie calls Los Angeles his "home" during a scene with Hen and Karen. He claims it's a force of habit, but Hen suggests it's a Freudian slip. Eddie also arranges for Christopher to come to Los Angeles to cheer up Buck, who has been taking Bobby's death especially hard. With all them together again, it seems like 9-1-1 is laying the groundwork for Eddie's return.

Eddie Calling Los Angeles His Home Means He Is Slated To Return To The 118

Eddie's Permanent Return Is Inevitable

Ravi and Eddie in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 17

It would be silly if the 9-1-1 writers had Eddie call Los Angeles his home just for him to stay in El Paso by the end of season 8. It's true, after all. Although he's from Texas, Eddie belongs on the West Coast. The only thing that's missing there is Christopher, and it's only a matter of time before he agrees to return to Los Angeles with his father.

The only thing left for [Eddie and Christopher] to do is to come home to Los Angeles.

The father-and-son duo have worked out their issues in the back-half of season 9, and their relationship is better and more stable than ever. It helps that Eddie has changed so much since the season 7 finale, and Christopher can see that. The only thing left for the two 9-1-1 characters to do is to come home to Los Angeles.

Ryan Guzman Will Reportedly Stay A Series Regular In 9-1-1 Season 9

Sources Confirm That Guzman Isn't Leaving 9-1-1

Eddie in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 13, 'Invisible', looking at Chris and smiling

Even if the series wasn't teasing Eddie's move back to Los Angeles near season 8's end, Ryan Guzman is slated to reprise his role in 9-1-1 season 9, all but verifying Eddie's return. Sources claim that the actor isn't going anywhere. While this report isn't confirmed by ABC or the show's producers, it might as well be since nothing suggests that Eddie is leaving after 9-1-1 season 8.

As a result, fans shouldn't be worried about Guzman's status as a series regular in 9-1-1. Some might've been concerned following one of Guzman's Instagram Stories, which featured him on the Fox lot saying, "Well, it officially happened. It's the last day on this lot. 9-1-1 — part of the legacy. Stage 6, I'll miss ya. Seven years. That's crazy." While the video appeared to be his way of saying farewell to the ABC procedural drama, Guzman was more likely just reflecting on wrapping season 8. The show is also moving lots heading into season 9, which also accounts for the actor's heartfelt message.

They also shouldn't worry about Eddie's living status in 9-1-1 season 9. Logistically, it wouldn't make sense for Eddie to continue building a new life in Texas, hundreds of miles from his friends and most of his (real) family, while still being a main character on the show. He would be separated from the other first responders. It would be quite difficult to connect Eddie's storylines to the others' with him deciding to stay in Texas. So, Eddie should move back to Los Angeles with Christopher during the 9-1-1 season 8 finale (and if he doesn't, I would be completely shocked.)

9-1-1 Is Too Fragile To Lose Another Team Member After Peter Krause's Exit

The 118 Needs Eddie

Chimney (Kenneth Choi), Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody), Eddie (Ryan Guzman), and Buck (Oliver Stark) carrying Bobby's coffin in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 16.

Even though Bobby's death in 9-1-1 season 8 was completely and utterly heartbreaking, it also sets the scene for Eddie's return. As mentioned in "Don't Drink the Water," if Hen assumes Bobby's position as Station 118's captain, the firehouse will have an open firefighter position, paving the way for Eddie's move back to Los Angeles. Yes, Eddie has a job offer in Texas. However, it's clear that he would much rather be back in Los Angeles with his friends and family. Plus, Eddie must return because the 118 need him after Bobby's death.

9-1-1 Season 8 Cast	Role
Angela Bassett	Athena Grant-Nash
Peter Krause	Bobby Nash
Oliver Stark	Evan "Buck" Buckley
Aisha Hinds	Henrietta "Hen" Wilson
Kenneth Choi	Howard "Chimney" Han
Jennifer Love Hewitt	Maddie Buckley-Han
Ryan Guzman	Eddie Diaz
Gavin McHugh	Christopher Diaz
Lou Ferrigno Jr.	Tommy Kinard
Anirudh Pisharody	Ravi Panikkar

Bobby's unfortunate exit in 9-1-1 season 8 significantly fractured the 118 (and the TV show as a whole). They, meaning the characters and the series, can't afford to completely lose Eddie now. Everything is much too fragile for another series regular to leave the procedural drama, meaning Ryan Guzman's character must stay. It's safe to say that fans probably wouldn't be too happy if the show booted Guzman just a few episodes after Peter Krause's departure. Consequently, Eddie's fate in 9-1-1 season 8 is looking positive, with all signs point to him coming back to Los Angeles.