Strapped for cash and without a job, Eddie takes Buck’s advice and tries to make the most of his situation. He trades the truck that he bought back in Season 3, and while it’s sad to see it go, Eddie is determined. He gets a new car that can fit more people so that he can become a rideshare driver, but Eddie has some trouble adjusting to the job. He is very chatty with each of his passengers, none of whom actually want to talk to him, or to have anything to do with him. A montage shows Eddie struggling on the job while pretending to his family like he got the firefighting job. He has to ask his parents for help to pay for Chris’ chess coach, and he even falls asleep at dinner one night because he’s so tired. Finally, one of Eddie’s passengers, a former rideshare driver, gives him some much-needed advice, and he turns things around. He stops talking to the passengers, learns to anticipate their needs, and even gets a $100 tip after bringing someone their forgotten phone.
Things are going well, until Christopher and his friends show up as Eddie’s passengers. It’s a devastating scene, as Chris pretends not to know Eddie. Eddie blames himself and equates this to the Kim (Devin Kelley) situation, because he has been “caught in a lie again.” He is unable to cut himself any slack. Buck talks him through it, though, and encourages Eddie to reach out to Chris right away. Eddie tells Buck that he appreciates him, then he texts Chris. Chris shows up later with the PS5, telling Eddie that he wants to return it, so that Eddie can use the money to stick around, and it’s a major breakthrough in their relationship. Eddie apologizes for lying about his job, and says that he just wanted Chris to be proud of him. Chris says that he is proud of him, and then they hug and say that they love each other, in what feels like a long-overdue scene.
In ‘9-1-1’ Season 8, Episode 12, Maddie Gets Her Voice Back. While struggling with voice exercises, Maddie gets a visit from Athena, who has come to check on her. Athena tells Maddie that Amber is still on her mind as well, and that she blames herself for missing all the signs. Athena suggests that fear is the reason why Maddie cannot speak, but Maddie insists that she is not afraid, until Athena opens up to her. Athena tells Maddie that she is always scared on the job, but that she chooses to put the need to help other people over the fear of being in danger again. Athena tells Maddie she will get there when she is ready, and she will be there for her in the meantime.
With the pressure off after talking to Athena, Maddie takes a break from her vocal exercises and goes with Jee-yun (Bailey and Hailey Leung) to the playground. While Jee is off playing with some new friends, Maddie briefly looks at a text from Athena. When Maddie looks up, though, Jee is gone. It’s a truly terrifying and emotional scene, as a voiceless Maddie tries to scream for Jee, but is unable to make a sound. Finally, Maddie gets her voice back and is able to yell for Jee. It’s a true tearjerker of a scene as Maddie reunites with Jee, who, as it turns out, was just playing out of sight. Jee points out that Maddie can talk again, and Maddie hugs her, relieved. Later, now armed with the return of her voice, Maddie goes back to work and takes a call.
‘9-1-1’ Season 8, Episode 12 masterfully captures the essence of tough choices and the complexities of balancing duty and family. Eddie’s decision serves as a poignant reminder that sometimes, embracing change is the bravest act of all.
