Buck's 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 11 Ending Explained By Oliver Stark

This article contains spoilers for 9-1-1 season 8, episode 11, "Holy Mother of God."9-1-1 star Oliver Stark breaks down what that ending means for Buck. 9-1-1 season 8, episode 11, "Holy Mother of God," is especially eventful for the 118. The episode, directed by Aisha Hinds in her directorial debut, has two main storylines. The first is the tense reunion between Bobby (Peter Krause) and his estranged mother Ann (Oscar nominee Lesley Ann Warren). The second highlights Buck (Stark) struggling to move forward after his best friend, Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman), moved to Texas.

In an interview with ScreenRant's Rachel Foertsch, Stark was asked about what it means that Buck is finally ready to live in Eddie's home by the episode's end. The actor notes, in the quote below, that it is difficult for Buck to be without Eddie and Eddie's son Christopher (Gavin McHugh). Still, Stark strikes an optimistic tone and explains that his character is ready to move forward after a conversation with his sister Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt):

Just that he's made peace with it. I think he says earlier in the episode that he doesn't want to unpack there because it means that Eddie and Chris are really gone. And then I think after that conversation with Maddie, he realizes the kind of gravitas of that situation, and that they are gone, and that he has to find a way to function without them, and he can't continue to stay at his sister's or to live out of boxes. It's time to step into his own path and start to live his real life.

What The Latest Episode Means For Buck

He Has A Lot To Figure Out

The episode, written by Taylor Wong and Darek Cioch, is a significant one for fans of Eddie and Buck. Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) is jealous of the relationship between the two best friends, and Buck's ex even scoffs at the suggestion that Eddie is straight. Maddie also gently suggests that Buck may be in love with his best friend, though Buck denies this. It could be said that the show would not introduce these ideas so directly without the intention of exploring them further, possibly if and when 9-1-1 season 9 is officially renewed.

Still, even beyond what "Holy Mother of God" indicates on a relationship level, it says a lot about Buck. It says he's not comfortable being alone, as Maddie tells him, and he's not entirely at ease trying to build a friendship with Ravi (recurring guest star Anirudh Pisharody). Before anything can happen, Buck might need to have some tough reflection about where he wants his life to go.

Our Take On Buck's Storyline

It's The Right Call

In moving from FOX to ABC, showrunner and co-creator Tim Minear has arguably shifted the show's focus away from harrowing, outlandish emergencies to a more personal procedural that focuses on the personal relationships and struggles of the core characters. While there are still plenty of standalone aspects, the long-running drama prioritizes the people at the center of the story, such as what's going on with Buck. It's a smart choice, helping the franchise feel more specific as 9-1-1's Nashville spinoff looms on the horizon.