When a long-running show is planning to take that next step for a slow burn pairing, there are usually signs in the seasons building up to it, and 9-1-1 has certainly given all those signs for Buddie. There was Buck’s (Oliver Stark) realization that he is bisexual, Tommy’s (Lou Ferrigno Jr.) jealousy over Buck and Eddie’s (Ryan Guzman) connection, and Buck’s accidental Freudian slip where he inadvertently admitted to his feelings for Eddie while denying them. If 9-1-1 were following the structure of a typical procedural, this would have been building up to a feelings realization for each party in the Season 8 finale, then they would officially get together by the end of Season 9. This is just another storyline that has been derailed by Bobby’s (Peter Krause) death.
Here we are now after the conclusion of 9-1-1’s eighth season, and a massive emergency took up the season finale, meaning any next steps for Buddie had to, once again, get pushed back a season. I have no doubt that 9-1-1 is still on the path to Buddie, but I do worry about whether the payoff for this pairing will feel satisfying. I love a good slow burn, and I think it’s important for shows to take their time with these pairings. At a certain point, though, dragging out the slow burn can take away its momentum, until the actual moment where they get together is overshadowed by the frustration of waiting.
Let’s get one thing straight: I adore a slow burn romance. The lingering glances. The tension. The will-they-won’t-they rollercoaster. But when it comes to ‘9-1-1’ and the endless tease of Buddie—Buck and Eddie’s electric, undeniable bond—I’ve reached my limit. For years, fans have clung to every glance, every shared trauma, every “You’re family” moment. But here we are, seasons later, still circling the same emotional drain. So I’m just gonna say it: It’s time to commit to Buddie—or stop teasing it entirely.
What is Buddie and Why Do Fans Care So Much?
A Duo That Became a Phenomenon
Buddie isn’t just a ship. It’s a full-blown movement. Eddie Diaz and Evan “Buck” Buckley share an emotional intimacy most canon couples only dream of. From co-parenting to deep conversations, they’ve blurred the lines between friendship and something more.
Representation Matters—And Buddie Could Be Revolutionary
LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream TV dramas still needs major growth. Buddie isn’t just fan service—it’s a chance to show two complex, masculine men in a deep, evolving romantic relationship. And fans are watching. Closely.
The Slow Burn… Has Burned Out
A Build-Up with No Payoff
Let’s be honest—how many more “accidental husband” moments do we need before it becomes ridiculous? Writers have toyed with every romantic trope in the book but still dance around the obvious: these two love each other.
The Risk of Losing Fan Loyalty
At some point, even the most loyal shippers get tired. Dragging out this will-they-won’t-they story risks alienating the very fans who’ve kept the Buddie dream alive.
Queerbaiting Concerns Are Growing Louder
When Subtext Becomes a Strategy
‘9-1-1’ has leaned hard into Buddie moments, only to repeatedly insist “they’re just friends.” That’s classic queerbaiting—using LGBTQ+ subtext to attract viewers without any intent of real representation.
Fans Aren’t Stupid—And They’re Taking Notes
In 2025, viewers are more media literate than ever. We know the difference between genuine storytelling and manipulation. And many are beginning to call the bluff.
Why Buddie Works – And Always Has
Chemistry That Writes Itself
Let’s talk chemistry. Not just “they look cute together” chemistry, but layered, emotional, soul-shaking compatibility. Whether it’s Buck helping raise Christopher or Eddie calling Buck his “person,” it all screams couple energy.
More Than Friends – Less Than Lovers?
The problem is, the show keeps them in limbo. They’re closer than most couples on screen, but never officially a couple. The tension is real. And frustrating.
The Harm of Delaying LGBTQ+ Storylines
Visibility Is Not a Game
Delaying a potential queer relationship while continuing to center hetero romances sends a message—intentional or not. It implies LGBTQ+ love stories aren’t worth telling unless they serve a certain narrative.
Other Shows Are Getting It Right
Shows like Heartstopper and Young Royals are thriving because they go all in on queer relationships. Audiences crave authenticity, not breadcrumbs.
The Writers Need to Make a Choice—Now
Commit or Cut It Off
The indecision surrounding Buddie has gone from intriguing to irritating. Either commit to telling their story or stop the emotional bait-and-switch. Half-love isn’t love—it’s limbo.
Dragging It Out Is Riskier Than Just Doing It
Writers may think they’re playing it safe, but they’re actually playing with fire. Fans are vocal, organized, and ready to walk away if the story doesn’t move forward.
What Would Buddie Going Canon Look Like?
Organic, Emotional, Real
No one’s asking for a sudden kiss mid-firefight (though we wouldn’t say no). What fans want is a natural evolution—Buck and Eddie realizing what they’ve known all along.
The Story Is Already There
The groundwork is laid. All the show needs to do is light the match. Let the characters fall where they naturally would—into each other.
The Impact of Canon Buddie on ‘9-1-1’s’ Legacy
A Defining Moment for Network TV
Making Buddie canon would elevate ‘9-1-1’ from just another procedural to a groundbreaking, culture-shaping series. It would show courage, representation, and growth.
A Loyalty Boost Among Viewers
Watch the ratings rise. The buzz explode. The loyalty deepen. Fans want to see themselves in the stories they watch—and Buddie delivers that opportunity.
But What If Buddie Was Never the Plan?
Then Stop the Mixed Messages
If Buddie was never going to happen, the show should have kept their relationship strictly platonic. Instead, we got heart eyes, “You’re not expendable,” and co-parenting.
Emotional Manipulation Isn’t a Plotline
If Buddie doesn’t go canon, it becomes clear the writers were stringing fans along—and that’s a betrayal many won’t forget.
Conclusion – The Time Is Now
We’ve waited. We’ve hoped. We’ve screamed at our TVs. The slow burn was once delicious. Now it’s just cruel. Buck and Eddie deserve happiness. We deserve closure. ‘9-1-1’ has a choice to make—and they better not miss.
It’s time to stop teasing and start telling the love story fans have seen from day one.
