Buck's Long-Delayed Change In 9-1-1 Season 9 Will Drastically Change 118

A long-awaited character evolution for Buck in 9-1-1 season 9 is poised to fundamentally alter the 118. As unpopular as the decision to kill off Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) has been, the immediate question that has followed in its aftermath is what his absence actually means for those he left behind.

In the 9-1-1 season 8 finale, that question was addressed from a collective perspective. The episode examined who would take over as the 118's new leader, pointing to Howard "Chimney" Han (Kenneth Choi) as Bobby's reluctant successor. It also suggested that Bobby's widow, Athena (Angela Bassett), will begin to take her first steps forward after an unquestionably devastating loss.

But there are larger questions about what the ABC first responder drama and its main characters will look like when new episodes debut this fall. New comments from original cast member Oliver Stark, who plays Evan Buckley, suggest a significant shift that has been rumbling for quite some time.

Oliver Stark Teases How Buck Might Change In 9-1-1 Season After Bobby's Death

The Actor's Insight Comes From A Recent Interview

Buck's maturity has been a gradual process. For fans who have arrived at the first responder drama later than others, the version of Buck that Stark played in season 1 would be virtually unrecognizable to the more reliable and empathetic character that struggled to say goodbye to Bobby. But as revealed by Stark, the loss of his father figure will propel Buck's growth to the forefront.

In an interview with Principle Magazine, Stark was asked about how he would like to see Buck evolve. In his response, included below, the actor discusses his desire for Buck to carry forward Bobby's legacy of helping young firefighters and supporting their growth. Stark specifically mentions that Bobby filled that role for him. In that same spirit, Stark says he hopes that Buck will do the same for others:

"Bobby was so instrumental to who Buck was on the show, and I really wanna see him carry that proudly and feel like he’s doing justice to all the things that he learned through Captain Nash. I want him to carry the banner and help the younger firefighters around him. We have a couple on the show, and so to almost step into that mentor role that Bobby was for Buck, I think it’s time for him to maybe start doing that for some others."

 

As revealed by the 9-1-1 season 8 episode "Sick Day", in which Buck comforted Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody), Buck has been steadily but consistently stepping into a leadership role. It could be an even more prominent aspect of the character moving forward, however, especially considering Bobby's parting words to Buck.

How Buck Becoming Mature Shakes Up The 118's Dynamic

Buck's Shift Creates A Void

In his final words to Buck, in the wrenching closing minutes of the 9-1-1 episode "Lab Rats", Bobby tells Buck that he can handle the sudden loss. It's a show of faith in the young firefighter, even though he hasn't always deserved it. Early on in the procedural drama, though his heart and good-natured attitude were clear from the outset, he was the least emotionally mature of his 118 peers.

His cohorts had fun with this fact. Henrietta (Aisha Hinds) and Howard, in particular, would tease him in his more dim-witted moments. Eddie (Ryan Guzman) would more or less accept Buck the way that he is, except for the instances in which he would lose his patience with Buck's shortsighted impulsiveness. These moments continued to play out in 9-1-1 season 8, with Eddie directly calling out Buck.

“The trials and tribulations of Evan Buckley, a tragedy in 97 acts,” Eddie scoffs mockingly, during the 9-1-1 season 8 episode "Don't Drink the Water." It's a very recent episode, which highlights the fact that Buck still tends to indulge in his worst impulses. Despite this, he can also be incredibly heroic and remarkably giving.

The character is layered, adjusting from one side to the other depending on what the story requires. It's a characterization that also, conveniently, kept Buck as the little brother of 9-1-1. He is Maddie's little brother, of course, but he also occupies that role more broadly for the 118. They love him and see the best in him despite his occasional blunders. If that aspect fades further, then it would truly shift the 118.

Buck Maturing Is A Long-Time Coming Needed Change For 9-1-1

Bobby's Loss Has To Create Waves

Buck can't revert to the person he was prior to Bobby's death. Although viewers should definitely expect a bit of backsliding, especially when it comes to Buck's love life and romantic partners, the end result of killing off a significant character has to alter the loved ones that they leave behind. There are examples of this, from some of the most beloved television dramas, that 9-1-1 would do well to follow.

The death of Buffy's mom, Joyce Summers, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is arguably the inciting incident that led the seminal genre show to embrace a darker tone in season 6. The death of Logan Roy in Succession, likewise, casts a shadow over everything that happens next. Stark is right to hope that Bobby's death will have a transformative impact on Buck. Arguably more so than anyone else, with the obvious exception of Athena, Buck carries Bobby's loss with him.

The procedural never overplays the father-son dynamic between the two men. Still, for those who have followed the 118 for the past eight years, especially knowing Buck's distant relationship with his parents, the void left by Bobby is not one that he could ever feel. But he could go from the experience. 9-1-1 could grow as well by retiring some of Buck's old tendencies.

The 118 Could Still Have A Similar Dynamic With Ravi

He Appeared A Lot More Often In Season 9

Thanks to Ravi, the 118 could still retain a bit of the dynamic that Buck allowed for. He may no longer be the nervous probie that was introduced halfway through the show's run. But as shown in season 8, he still has a lot to learn. It's in "Sick Day" that Ravi considers quitting after a nearly catastrophic incident with a newborn.

Bobby saves the day in that instance, one of his last acts of heroism before contracting the virus that takes his life, but it's Buck that gives Ravi the pep talk he clearly needs to hear to remain part of the 118. There are no jokes on Buck's part, no poorly chosen words or halting hesitations. He listens to Ravi, then he gently but firmly steers his younger co-worker in a positive direction.It's the kind of thing that Bobby would do for Buck, and had done for Buck, several times throughout 9-1-1. In many ways, Buck is already the more mature and mentoring figure that Stark hopes he will be. The absence of Bobby, all the same, may work to speed up an evolution that's been well underway.