9-1-1 season 8 has seen firefighter Eddie Diaz struggle to adjust to life without his son, Christopher, but his heartbreak was actually foreshadowed two seasons earlier. For years, his relationship with Christopher has been crucial to Eddie's story, as well as his happiness. Unfortunately, numerous events that have unfolded in recent times have greatly upset Eddie's way of life, leaving him without custody of Christopher.

Eddie's current drama officially started in 911's season 7 finale, when his choices came to a head. Long grieving his deceased wife, Eddie embarked on an emotional affair with somebody who looked just like her. Unfortunately for him, both his parents and his son, Christopher (Gavin McHugh), found them together after a cathartic exchange. This understandably led to confusion and Eddie's parents suggested that Christopher come and live with them for a while, an offer which the teenager quickly opted to take them up on. Seeds of this turn, however, were planted all the way back in 9-1-1 season 6.

Eddie's Parents Taking Away Chris Was Part Of Buck's Coma Dream In 9-1-1 Season 6

Life Was Very Different For Everyone In Buck's Alternate 9-1-1 World

Given the nature of the show, no character has been a stranger to near-death experiences on 9-1-1. And nobody has more experience than Evan "Buck" Buckley, popularly played by Oliver Stark. Having suffered several in his time, Buck's most recent came in 9-1-1 season 6, episode 10, "In A Flash," when he was struck by lightning during a rescue. Placed in a medically induced coma - and riffing on It's A Wonderful Life - he dreamed an entirely different reality from the one he (and fans) knew in 9-1-1 season 6, episode 11, "In Another Life."

In this imagined life, Buck was a teacher rather than a firefighter. His older brother, Daniel, was still alive. His sister, Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), was still married to her abusive ex-husband. And, going against a main character risk 9-1-1 refuses to take, Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause) had succumbed to his addiction and ed away. As for Eddie, he was now a bitter and angry shell of his usual self — having lost a contentious custody battle with his parents. Though the real events were somewhat more peaceable, Buck's dream nonetheless remained somewhat prophetic of 9-1-1's future.

How Eddie & Chris Can Still Reunite In 9-1-1

Can Eddie Still Have The Best Of Both Worlds?

Given how much he's missing out on as Christopher further ventures into adolescence, it makes sense that Eddie would embark on a Brad Torrance-inspired exit. That being said, not everybody would be comfortable with that decision; chief among them being his best friend, Buck. Based on his saddened expression, he could try and convince Eddie to stay and give things more time. As well as that, Buck could follow up on the running theme of 9-1-1 season 8 and encourage Eddie to find some happiness for himself, outside of being the doting father.

9-1-1 season 8 returns Tuesday, March 6, 2025, via ABC.

Conversely, that could run the risk of painting Buck in a selfish light. As such, the best idea would be for it to come from Christopher himself in 9-1-1. As a character that has sometimes lacked agency, he could enforce that Eddie doesn't come to Texas and reaffirm his need for space and boundaries. Equally, even if Eddie does make the move, it could be Christopher who makes it clear that Eddie needs his 118 family as much as they need him. And that Eddie needs to find similar independence to what Chris has found, before or after reconciling.