
How’s this for irony: An explosive building collapse may be exactly what the 118 needs to finally rebuild itself in Thursday’s 9-1-1 season finale (ABC, 8/7c). “It’s very dirty and dusty,” star Oliver Stark told TVLine on the red carpet of the ABC Upfront. “We’re in the middle of this huge emergency. One of my favorite things the show does is when it separates us off into different parts of an emergency. The 118 itself is quite fractured with the loss of Bobby. As we’re physically trying to find each other again, that’s somewhat of a metaphor for the 118 trying to get back together.”
Speaking of the Bobby’s loss, we still don’t know who will be leading the 118 moving forward, now that Hen has officially turned down the promotion. So, how is the team going to get past this hurdle? “With great difficulty, to say the least,” Stark says. “I don’t quite know what it’s going to look like. Obviously they’re going to need a new captain. I don’t know if that’s going to be internal or external. Either way you do that leads to a period of readjustment and figuring out new dynamics. It’s going to be an uncertain time as we move into Season 9.” But while the 118 has never been more fractured, at least fans are finally getting one thing they’ve always wanted — Buck and Eddie are living together! It’s only temporary (for now) before Eddie’s potential return to Texas, but we’re hopeful for plenty of Odd Couple moments down the line.
“They’ve kind of had some arguments already: Who’s going to get the groceries and who’s not?” Stark says with a laugh. “They’ll have to figure it out. I like to think of Buck as quite a messy character. Even though we’ve never seen that in the show, that’s my personal theory for him. And Eddie, with his ex-military background, is probably the opposite. I could see some clashes, some personality issues coming up.”
When you think 9-1-1 can’t get more intense, it flips the sirens to full volume — and this time, Buck is smack in the middle of the chaos. In a revealing interview, Oliver Stark, who plays the fan-favorite Evan “Buck” Buckley, teases a finale that’s messy, emotional, and full of fireworks — especially when it comes to his newly complicated living arrangement with Eddie Diaz. Let’s break down what’s coming in the 9-1-1 Season Finale, how it impacts Buck’s journey, and what’s really going on in that shared apartment.
Buck’s Finale Crisis: Not Just Another Emergency
A Personal Storm is Brewing
According to Stark, this isn’t just another life-or-death rescue mission. The finale will hit Buck where it hurts — emotionally. “It’s dirty,” Stark admitted. But what does that mean?
Think less mud and more emotional mess. Buck’s been through the wringer this season, but this time, the crisis forces him to look in the mirror — and he might not like what he sees.
Eddie and Buck: Roommate Goals? Not Quite.
The Uncomfortable New Normal
Since Buck moved in with Eddie, fans have loved the idea — but living together has its own…quirks. Stark teased, “There are going to be clashes. The dynamic shifts. And not always in a good way.”
Tensions Bubble to the Surface
With two emotionally closed-off men under one roof, things are bound to explode. From parenting conflicts to personal space issues, it’s like a pressure cooker ready to burst. Expect sarcasm, eye-rolls, and more than one late-night argument.
Buck’s Mental Health Takes Center Stage
More Than Just Physical Danger
This season dives deep into Buck’s mental space. Between survivor’s guilt, identity crises, and now interpersonal conflict with Eddie, he’s juggling more than he can handle.
Therapy Was Just the Beginning
While Buck has made strides in therapy, the finale challenges that growth. Will he regress? Or finally take full accountability?
A Crisis That Feels Too Real
Not Just TV Drama — It Hits Home
Stark emphasized that the finale storyline is “very human.” It’s not about explosions or disasters — it’s about relationships breaking down, trust being tested, and personal demons roaring back.
Buck & Eddie: More Than Roommates?
The Buddie Fanbase Reacts
The chemistry between Buck and Eddie (coined “Buddie” by fans) is undeniable. While not romantic (yet), their bond runs deep. But the finale may stretch that to its limit.
A Brotherly Rift
Imagine brothers forced to confront their darkest sides — that’s what we’re in for. The shared history, secrets, and unspoken resentment bubble up in powerful ways.
Buck Faces Consequences
No More Mr. Nice Guy
The finale doesn’t just show Buck hurting — it shows Buck causing pain. That’s a twist we didn’t see coming. “There are consequences,” Stark shared. “And Buck has to own up to them.”
Clashing Personalities in One Cramped Apartment
Living Together Isn’t Always Loving Together
The whole “odd couple” vibe hits hard here. Buck’s chaos meets Eddie’s control freak tendencies, and let’s just say… it’s not smooth sailing.
Expect Explosive Confrontations
From dirty dishes to deeper emotional wounds, it’s not just passive-aggressive glances. These two clash — loudly. And it changes everything.
The Finale Sets Up Season 9 With a Bang
Unresolved Threads Will Haunt the Next Season
This finale is far from a clean ending. Stark hinted that the mess Buck leaves behind bleeds into Season 9. If you thought this was closure, think again.
Oliver Stark’s Performance: A Standout Season
A Career-Best Role?
Stark has truly come into his own this season. From emotionally charged therapy scenes to intense firefights, he’s shown depth that fans hadn’t seen before.
Buck’s Identity Crisis: Who Is He, Really?
From Firefighter to… What?
Buck has always been the adrenaline junkie. But now, he’s questioning what he actually wants. Is it family? Stability? Or something more?
Fans Are NOT Ready for What’s Coming
Theories Are Flying
Reddit and Twitter are ablaze with predictions. Will Buck quit the 118? Will Buddie finally break or blossom? One thing’s for sure — fans will be talking.
Stark’s Final Words: ‘It Gets Messy’
Not Just Plot — Real-Life Emotions
Stark didn’t hold back in describing the finale as messy, emotional, and incredibly personal. “It’s raw,” he said. “And I think fans will feel that.”
What Should Viewers Expect?
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Emotional gut punches
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Intense confrontations
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An unforgettable Buck-Eddie showdown
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And… a setup that will leave jaws on the floor
Why This Finale Could Change 9-1-1 Forever
Characters Evolve — Or Fall Apart
This episode isn’t just a finale. It’s a transformation. Relationships are tested. Loyalties questioned. And the very heart of the team might never be the same.
Conclusion
9-1-1 has never been shy about putting its characters through the emotional wringer. But this finale? It’s next level. Oliver Stark’s Buck is front and center in a storyline that’s deeply personal, emotionally “dirty,” and destined to shake fans to their core. With roommate tensions, mental health spirals, and personal reckoning on the line, we’re about to witness a defining moment in the 9-1-1 universe.
Whether you’re a die-hard Buddie shipper or just love good drama, you won’t want to miss this finale. So grab the popcorn — and maybe a box of tissues — because Buck’s about to break… or break through.