Did The 9-1-1 Season 8 Finale Cancel The Opportunity For Major Fan Service Reunion?

The 118 rediscovers their sense of camaraderie in the 9-1-1 season 8 finale, but the impact on one character’s storyline might have inadvertently destroyed the chances of a reunion many fans were hopeful to see. Many of 9-1-1’s best episodes were made well before season 8, but that’s not to say the season was lacking when it came to well-executed twists. Bobby’s death, Buck’s unexplained mummy curse, and the near liberation of Maddie’s head from her neck were all extremely memorable plotlines. Nonetheless, it’s the season 8 finale that will mostly affect the story of 9-1-1 season 9.

For instance, those hoping for a Buck and Eddie romance on 9-1-1 can give up on this happening now that Buck is beginning to look for his own place while maintaining that Eddie’s house never truly felt like home. This drives an unnecessary physical wedge between the two, who could likely coexist as roommates with little issue. However, Buck’s move ties into another major plot point that calls into question the likelihood of other characters appearing in the franchise again.

9-1-1 Season 8 Ends With Chim Convincing Eddie To Stay In Los Angeles

Eddie Doesn’t Even Question Chim’s Authority To Give That Order

If it wasn’t going to be Hen, then Chim replacing Bobby in 9-1-1 always made the next best sense. He began the first season butting heads with Bobby over wanting more responsibility, and he was one of the most shattered by Bobby’s death. But Chim truly shows his leadership skills when he convinces Eddie to return from Texas with a speech about the legacy of the family Bobby created at the 118. Not only does Eddie agree to move back from El Paso, but Buck also calls off his plan to transfer to another station.

Technically speaking, this doesn’t change Eddie’s plans a lot. His primary goal in moving home was to become part of Christopher’s life again, a goal he achieved when Christopher moved out of Eddie’s parents’ house and began permanently living with Eddie again. Leaving Texas means that Eddie’s parents can’t look after their grandson when Eddie’s on a call, but Eddie’s had years of experience dealing with that issue when Christopher was much younger and less adapted to managing his cerebral palsy. Christopher will likely be fine, but that’s not to say leaving Texas won’t have at least one consequence.

Eddie Leaving Texas Eliminates The Easiest Opportunity For A 9-1-1: Lone Star Reunion

The Spinoff Characters Were Mere Hours Away From Eddie And Christopher

Had he not still been reliant on his parents to help care for Christopher, Eddie’s initial struggles to find a job in El Paso would have been easily solvable. If he were to move eight or nine hours down the road, Eddie could have used his connections from the 9-1-1: Lone Star season 2 crossover to get a job with Judd in Austin. He gets along with Judd and Marjan, with a strong likelihood that he’d connect with TK and Carlos as well if given more time together.

Not only did this formal crossover not occur, but no one from the Lone Star cast even happened to pass through El Paso for a short guest appearance. This is a shame for fans who have wanted to check back in with the crew since the spinoff’s cancellation, especially seeing as Eddie’s relocation provided the most easily justifiable story reasons for the Lone Star cast to appear. With all of the flagship cast now back in Los Angeles, the chances of seeing Lone Star cameos on 9-1-1 feel much less probable than they might have been.

Could 9-1-1 Still Feature Lone Star Cameos In The Future?

There Are More Marketable Cameos To Feature Right Now

With Bobby’s life ended by one of 9-1-1’s most memorable villains, the 126 in Austin is no longer the only station in the franchise to undergo a recent change in leadership. This alone means the characters could share some relatable talking points, but the reality is that 9-1-1 isn’t as likely to do a crossover with a canceled series while trying to promote a newer spinoff. If the 118 were going to cross over with any other crew in the franchise, then such an event would more likely feature the crew of the upcoming 9-1-1: Nashville.

The 9-1-1: Nashville cast already boasts recognizable names such as Jessica Capshaw, Chris O’Donnell, and LeAnn Rimes. Short of getting Rob Lowe to visit the 118 all the way from Owen Strand’s new position in New York, 9-1-1 won’t get the same buzz from a Lone Star cameo as from making use of 9-1-1: Nashville’s star power. Additionally, sparking interest in the newer series is a much higher priority than revisiting characters the franchise already chose to retire. But if Nashville were to justify its own Lone Star cameo at some point, it would still be the next best thing.

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