‘9-1-1’ Season 8 Makes the Biggest Buddie Stride Ever

9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 11, “Holy Mother of God,” finds Buck (Oliver Stark) trying to contend with his “best friend” Eddie’s (Ryan Guzman) departure.

The entire episode, and 9-1-1 Season 8 really, has been Buck acting like a broken record that keeps repeating the same chorus of “Eddie this Eddie that;” it was starting to become pathetic to see a grown man act like that.

Fresh off Eddie’s departure, Buck tries to adjust as a single man in his thirties without his own family, partner, or friends.

An attempt to form a connection with a coworker puts Buck on a collision course with his now ex-boyfriend, and something becomes clear — something Buck has been running away from for a long time.

‘9-1-1’ Gives Tommy the Chance to Explain Why He Broke Up with Buck

Since Tommy (Lou Ferrigno Jr) returned in Season 7 for a romantic arc with Buck, the duo seemed perfect for each other as Eddie helped Buck navigate certain aspects of queerness.

Their breakup came out of nowhere. A proposal to move in pushed Tommy farther than anyone could have thought, and he dumped Buck.

In “Holy Mother of God,” Buck and Ravi (Anirudh Pisharody) hang (more like Buck forces Ravi to hang), and while at a bar, they run into Tommy.

Old feelings are rekindled, and Buck “shows” Tommy his new place — Eddie’s old place. Pathetic, no?

They have a lust-filled hookup, and the following morning, Tommy reveals he might be interested in restarting their relationship. That’s until something slips out.

Tommy reveals that he broke up with Buck because he was concerned Buck had feelings for Eddie and thought he couldn’t compete.

That revelation fills a gaping plot hole but also introduces a new problem.

Buck Has Feelings for Eddie

Did it really take years for this realization to dawn? We clocked it the first time they shared the screen.

Buck spirals at the idea that he might have feelings for his straight friend.

He seems half-offended and half-enthusiastic that this is out in the world. Having feelings for Eddie puts him in an awkward position, but that’s a story for another day.

This realization, even the show’s simple admission of it, is one of the biggest things that has ever happened to the ghost ship.

Finally, viewers can stop grasping at straws and stringing wild theories.

Buddie Canon? Not Yet, If At All

While Buck’s coming out was not a big deal, it might not be the same for Eddie, who is straight for all intents and purposes.

His catholic background might present a problem if the show successfully explores this as a potential relationship.

There is also the major problem of their preexisting relationships. For one, they’re coworkers, and workplace romances never end well.

Pulling off Buddie might be hard for the show.

But if they don’t, the pool of stories about queer guys in love with their friends becomes bigger.

That’s a problematic trope.

9-1-1 Season 8 airs on ABC on Thursdays at 8 p.m.