We need to talk about Buddie: Why 9-1-1 must finally commit to them in Season 9 

9-1-1 fans assemble, we were robbed of a Buddie storyline again! ABC's procedural drama had the best opportunity to finally unite Evan Buckley (Oliver Stark) and Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman) in the Season 8 finale, but they did not.

Best friends and firefighting partners since Season 2, fans have long suspected that Buck has romantic feelings for Eddie (which were confirmed when Buck came out as bis*xual). The Buddie ship was even addressed in Season 8 but saw no development in the finale.

Even after Eddie heroically saves Buck from a collapsing building and decides to stay in LA, things were left unaddressed between them again (which has become frustrating).

More on the Buddie storyline in 9-1-1 in our story.

---

9-1-1 Season 8 finally addressed Buddie for the first time

While Buddie was initially a fever dream for all fans, it looked like the show is finally addressing their relationship. After Eddie's move to Texas and Buck trying to re-adjust his life without his 'best friend', it looked like the show was really building on their storyline.

However, Bobby dies out of nowhere, and we were robbed of a Buddie storyline again. 9-1-1 fans love a slow-burn romance, but the show has never made them address their romantic feelings with each other, which makes this really frustrating.

While fans have suspected and wanted Buddie to happen for so long, the show finally addressed a potential relationship between the characters in Season 8. The possibility of Eddie moving away scares Buck to death and he finally starts to realise his romantic feelings for him. While he does not accept them explicitly, his concern and anger over Eddie's move make it clear.

However, when he finally meets with Tommy again in Season 8 Episode 11, Buddie is actually addressed in the show. After Buck and Tommy spend the night together, Tommy suggests they give their relationship another try. When Buck asks him what changed, Tommy says:

''Now that competition's out of the way.''

While Buck cannot understand Tommy, he explains that he meant Eddie since he knows he has feelings for him. This moment was a turning point for Buddie, which gave every 9-1-1 fan hope that their ship will likely sail till the finale.

Even tho Buck does not agree to have feelings for Eddie, he does not deny them either, in fact he says:

''Eddie is straight.''

This line implies that while Buck does feel for Eddie, he cannot pursue his feelings for him because he thinks Eddie is straight.

---

Since Buddie storyline saw no development in the 9-1-1 Season 8 finale, the upcoming season should commit to it

While 9-1-1 fans were over the moon with an official Buddie mention in Season 8, everything went downhill after that. Bobby's death not only shifted focus from their storyline, but the show has never made Eddie address his feelings for Buck.

Their angry confrontation over Bobby's death seemed like a set-up for a confessional confrontation in the finale, but that was also overshadowed by Athena and Chimeny's reconciliation.

While Chimney's speech about honouring Bobby was powerful and paved his way as the 118 captain, it also allowed Eddie to stay in LA. The decision was good news, but the way it unfolded was not. Fans were waiting for Eddie to realise that he cannot live without Buck, with the couple finally moving in together with Chris.

Instead, Eddie decided to stay in LA because of Chimney's speech, and while he moved back into his apartment with Chris, Buck moved out.

With such a big tease about Buddie in 9-1-1 Season 8 and no real development, the upcoming chapter should focus on their storyline. In addition to Bobby's death, Buck genuinely needs support now and Eddie can provide some much-needed comfort to him.

---

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.

Also Read: 9-1-1 Season 8 finale ending explained