Did The 9-1-1 Season 8 Finale Kill The Chances For A Fan-Favorite Romance In Season 9?

After Bobby’s death, 9-1-1 has left an empty spot for most fans aside from those celebrating a relationship that now looks like it may never happen. It would take some time to catalog every actor who left 9-1-1, even if there are only technically half a dozen or so. Likewise, every viewer’s different tastes make it difficult to land on a definitive list of the best 9-1-1 episodes ever. However, viewers can agree on at least some things, and one thing that many seem to agree about is that a particular 9-1-1 romance needs to happen.

The most recent season hasn’t given fans an easy run of things. If it weren’t hard enough to stomach something as gory as Maddie’s 9-1-1 throat slitting, the storylines since then have only become even more depressing. Bobby died, Chimney nearly drank himself off the ledge of a building, and Buck almost left the 118 because he couldn’t handle Bobby’s death without Eddie living nearby. But for those who hoped Buck’s apparent feelings toward Eddie might lead to something more, things progressed a bit differently.

The 9-1-1 Season 8 Finale Ends With Buck Moving Out Of Eddie’s House

It Seems They Can’t Just Co-Exist As Roommates

The biggest reveal of the season 8 finale was the apparent emergence of Chim as the new 9-1-1 captain. Naturally, however, that does little to fill the void, and when it comes to the fans, several of them believe Eddie and Buck should eventually get together. That doesn’t happen immediately after the end of the season, and there are even indications that we’re now further away from that storyline than ever.

It's never technically established that Buck plans on moving out of Eddie’s place, but his efforts are shown. Buck looks for new places to live and even says Eddie’s house never truly felt like home, which generally isn’t something you say about a person’s house when you want to live with them for the rest of your life. If Buck does have feelings for Eddie, he doesn’t seem ready to admit them just yet, and that’s hardly the only issue keeping them from getting together.

Buck Moving Out Is An Obstacle To Buddie’s Relationship In 9-1-1 Season 9

They No Longer Have An Immediate Physical Connection

Aside from the age difference, there wasn’t much reason to split up Buck and Abby in 9-1-1 season 2. Connie Britton played the role beautifully (albeit with some apparent doubts). The character talked to her friends frequently to ask for advice on how to navigate her relationship with Buck. It just so happens that, in the end, Buck realizes five seasons after breaking up with Abby that he is bisexual. He suddenly saw his past dating life in a new light, particularly when it came to Tommy.

When considering how he and Tommy came into contact, Buck unfortunately begins to look slightly problematic. Their first date is never shown, but it turns out to be Eddie’s response to Buck coming out that convinced fans they were made for each other. The problem is Eddie only says the relationship between him and Buck won’t change as a result of Buck’s orientation. This seems to imply that Eddie and Buck will not become a romantic couple, a reality that becomes even more clear when looking at the actors’ statements.

Eddie And Buck’s Actors Are Still On The Fence About 9-1-1 Confirming Buddie

Buck Needs To Explore His Sexuality More Casually Right Now

A list of Buck’s 9-1-1 romantic partners makes it easier to realize his sexual orientation on paper, but he largely kept it hidden until season 7. If his statement to Deadline is any indication, actor Oliver Stark doesn’t seem to think his character Buck should start dating Eddie just yet. In his own words:

“What I will say is that if the story ever goes in that direction, I don’t think the way to do it is purely to give in to fans. I hope, if it goes there, it’s done because that’s the right story to tell and that’s the right progression for the characters.”

Oliver goes on to clarify that he doesn't want Buck to wind up with Eddie simply because being with another male character might confirm he's bisexual. Stark isn’t sitting on the fence by his lonesome as Ryan Guzman (Eddie), seems to have issues with the Buddie fanship as well. In fact, Guzman believes Eddie and Buck are already close enough without further development. Also speaking with Deadline, Guzman said:

“I think we have something so genuine with what we’ve already established. And I think Oliver’s character has said it multiple times. It’s like, why can’t we just be friends, brothers? I think, right now, it stands as it is.

I completely understand where fans are gaining that from, and they’ve created their own lore. I see so many different things. I see renditions of the show where it’s all of us like friends, characters, and stuff. I love it. They’re so adamant on their version of 9-1-1.”

In short, Guzman isn’t strictly opposed to his character beginning a relationship with Buck. The bigger issue is that he doesn’t personally see the characters developing a romantic relationship. He can see there being a certain fan version of 9-1-1 in which that happens, but it isn’t his version. As long as the actors see it this way, it’s unlikely the two characters will ever enter a relationship. However, it sounds like both actors want the characters’ friendship to remain strong, and that’s rewarding to watch on its own.