Buck: No chance, no way, I won’t say it, no, no.

Us: You swoon, you sigh. Why deny it? Oh-oh.

Buck: It’s too cliché, I won’t say I’m in love.

This week your muses Han, Cil, and Rachel unpack Buck’s latest existential crisis—because Zeus knows he won’t. Season 8, Episode 11 of 9-1-1, “Holy Mother of God” struck a chord so loud we had to devote an entire special episode to it. 

We discuss the merits, or lack thereof, when it comes to redeeming parents as Bobby’s “holy mother” makes a reappearance in his life and how he finds forgiveness and understanding in his big ol’ heart for her… despite our protests.

Buck's emotional journey takes center stage as he navigates abandonment issues like a professional crashout artist (he has so much practice y’all). Buck continues to be unsure and unaware of his own feelings, much to Maddie’s—and our—visible dismay. 

We praise the ‘The Return of the Plot Device’ and break down the eyebrow-raising unconscious confessions his scoff and eyeroll shook out of Buck.

This episode canonically brings Buddie from subtext to text, with Tommy and Maddie addressing the Eddie-shaped elephant in the room, making Buck and the audience ponder if Buck is in love with Eddie and if Eddie is *really* as straight as Buck claims.

Eddie may be in Texas, but his presence is still very much felt—from his house Buck’s haunting, Buck’s ex he’s haunting, and on the job where he’s haunting poor, poor Ravi.

We also celebrate the fantastic direction by Aisha Hinds, who captures the essence of our favorite characters while implementing her own perspective and artistic flair. 

Join the buddies for some spoilery speculation surrounding the latest looks behind-the-scenes of upcoming episodes including a special segment of us spinning out while taking it all in.

Buck, denial is a river in Egypt, your feelings for your “straight best friend” are GAY. Read our lips, you’re in love.

📔 Articles Mentioned

📰 “It’s Going There”: Star & Director Aisha Hinds Unpacks 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 11 & Teases What’s Next, Screen Rant

📰 9-1-1’s Aisha Hinds on Handling Bobby’s Mom and the Buddie Conversation for Her Directorial Debut (Exclusive), US Weekly

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Creator Says Buck’s Buddie Denial Is Not the End, but ‘It Doesn’t Mean I’m Making Promises’, The Wrap

📰 9-1-1 Boss Tackles Maddie’s Million-Dollar Question: Is Buck in Love With Eddie? Plus, Inside [Spoiler]’s Return, TV Line

📔 Fanworks Mentioned:

🎬 I Won’t Say I’m In Love, Buck edit by nebulastarlights, TikTok

📈 “Buck” and “Eddie” Spoken Name Graph by jackwhiteprophetic, TikTok 

🎨 8b Color Theory Thread by sammyunhinged, Twitter

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The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:13) General Thoughts

(00:07:13) Season Themes 

(00:09:31) Aisha’s Directorial Debut

(00:15:06) Needle Drop

(00:22:23) Bobby - Character Arc Highlights

(00:40:25) Buck - Character Arc Highlights

(00:57:24) The Return of the Plot Device

(01:25:08) Is Buck in Love with Eddie?

(01:44:25) Parallels

(01:48:25) “Eddie Has a Silver Star”

(02:00:26) Into the Looking Glass

(02:05:34) Behind the Scenes Leak & Our Ensuing Crashout

(02:16:48) What Ifs & Speculation

(02:35:39) Outro & Take a Buddie With You

We’re sorry, Shannon can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, cus’ she’s dead!

This week, hosts Han, Cil, and Rachel bid farewell to Shannon Diaz and say hello to Eddie’s rose-colored glasses. “I guess she was the love of your life.” “I guess she was?” Oh, we’re so sure.

Get in losers, we’re discussing Season 2 Episode 17 of 9-1-1, “Careful What You Wish For” and unpacking the tangled web of relationships, expectations, and the harsh realities of life that hit harder than a runaway vehicle at a crosswalk. 

This episode explores how characters cope with tragedy while navigating their own emotional inner worlds, showing us that amidst life’s unpredictability, friendship and support are what truly matters and sometimes, it’s okay to not have all the answers.

We dive deep into Eddie’s avoidance of what he truly wants, instead he’s focusing on his perceived responsibilities to Christopher and Shannon. We’re not sure Eddie has ever actually asked himself what he wants or prioritized himself.

Meanwhile, Maddie is grappling with the unfinished aspects of her job at dispatch and missing being able to see that she’s making a difference. Things come full circle when Josh and Sue organize the sweetest (and possibly illegal) intervention, helping her to see her job from a new perspective. 

For our scene dissection we look at the 118’s visit to Bobby for Therapy Hour to gripe and groan about Chim’s leadership and deal with the temporary loss of Bobby in their professional lives.

We pit Buddie against Bobby & Athena, Maddie & Chimney, and Eddie & Shannon to play the “is this platonic or romantic” comparison game. Spoiler alert, Buck and Eddie are NOT normal about each other.

Buck-le up, and look both ways before you cross, as we drive into the emotional wreckage that Eddie is still reeling from 6 years later—she’s the loss of his life.  

📔 Fanworks Mentioned:

📚 Goodbye Until Tomorrow by terranobis on Archive of Our Own

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro - Welcome to Dispatch

(00:03:37) General Thoughts (No thoughts, Head Empty?)

(00:08:03) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:09:14) Needle Drop

(00:14:16) 9-1-1 Writes Sins and Tragedies 

(00:25:23) Flashover - Episode Themes

(00:31:57) Who’s Cookin’? - Maddie’s Search for Renewed Purpose

(00:46:37) Where’s the Fire - Scene Dissection (Therapy Hour at Bobby’s)

(01:09:27) Chimney Juggling Friendship & Newfound Authority

(01:21:55) Eddie, Bereft and Reeling 

(02:12:35) Slow Burn - Bi Buck & Buddie Watch

(02:37:20) Eddie’s Queer Coding

(02:47:01) Take A Buddie With You & Outro

Buck doesn’t want to argue, but he doesn’t want to bite his tongue, he’d rather die.

Abandonment Issues McGee™️ is back at it again, leading to communication failures, subconscious sabotage, and some seriously awkward moments that left us cringing and laughing.

This week we’re hauling ourselves headfirst into the theme of platonic friendship versus whatever the fuck these two are doing, highlighting how Buck and Eddie's dynamic has never been normal, not even for a minute. Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 8, Episode 9 “Sob Stories” and Episode 10 “Voices” where Maddie goes through an actual horror movie while her brother lives out the first half of a rom-com. Just Buckley sibling things.

We’re still reeling from Maddie's suspenseful arc that had us on the edge of our seats, in awe of her tenacity as she takes charge and fights for her family while grappling with her own trauma. Her storyline hits an emotional crescendo serving as a reminder that our girl never stops fighting.

Eddie’s impending move causes Buck’s conflicting feelings to boil over and lash out in pettiness after he overhears Eddie say, “Everything that matters is in Texas.” We inspect his thought process (or lack thereof) and how it’s directly affected by his prior experiences in platonic and romantic relationships alike. In the shortest doggie adoption ever, we meet Blaze, the world’s cutest beagle and discuss how he’s a metaphor for Eddie, Buck, and Christopher.

Buck and Eddie’s past, present, and future are under the microscope as they face the reality of separation. This narrative is a treasure trove of tropes that we owe to the vision and writing of showrunner Tim Minear and his outstanding team who masterfully crafted 7 years of parallels and symbolism into 2 episodes of television. The use of visual storytelling from the cinematography and props to the blocking and direction packs a very intentional punch right in the Buddie feels. 

We navigate the minefield of not-so-subtle hints of something more lurking beneath the surface of Buck and Eddie’s ‘friendship’ through the sheer quantity and depth of parallels and symbolism. 

Then, we take a look at what we know is coming up next, and what we hope to see in our very own Buddie System Forecast.

Hearts are breaking during Buck and Eddie’s amicable breakup as they say goodbye in front of a U-Haul. So, lift with your knees, because we did in fact have time to unpack all that. The tension is simmering, the awkwardness is palpable, and Buddie canon is inevitable.

📔 Articles Mentioned

📰 9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 10 Review: ‘Voices’, fangirlish.

📰 The Cinematography of the Buddie Goodbye in 9-1-1 “Voices” Speaks Volumes, fangirlish.

🗣️ Interviews Mentioned

📰 9-1-1 Just Aired Its Buddiest Episode Yet: ‘That’s the Way I’ve Written Them From the Beginning,’ EP Says, TV Line

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Boss Tim Minear Teases Show’s “Scariest Episode Ever,” Eddie’s Texas Move, And Another “Ambitious” Season 8 Two-Parter, Decider 

📰 Oliver Stark revisits that ‘9-1-1’ basketball scene ahead of his NBA All-Star Celebrity Game appearance, Today

📰 9-1-1’s Oliver Stark on Buck’s ‘Complex’ Feelings Over Eddie Leaving, That Apartment Twist, More (Exclusive), US Weekly

🎬 Fanworks Mentioned

📚 Both Blade and Branch by Daisies_and_Briars, Archive of Our Own (Orpheus & Eurydice inspired fic)

📸 Dialogue Parallels 4x14 & 8x10 (Buddie & Madney), chappellsroans on tumblr

📸 Dialogue and Framing Parallels 4x14 & 8x10 (“Because, Evan” - “It’s Not Nothing”), eddiegayass on tumblr

🎞️ Comparing Abby’s Exit & Eddie’s Leaving, bcthenas on Instagram

📸 Framing of Buck & Eddie Getting Closer, emziess on tumblr

🎞️ 8x10 Goodbye and 2x01 “You Can Have My Back” Parallels, thehumforever on Twitter

📰 8x14-15 Inspired by The Satan Bug Movie Theory, NoxAtThe118 on Twitter

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters:

(00:00:00) This Week on The Buddie System

(00:01:21) General Thoughts

(00:08:14) 9-1-1 What’s Your Grievance

(00:18:14) Flashover - Episode Themes

(00:21:33) Behind the Scenes and Production

(00:25:11) Maddie’s Character Arc

(00:42:35) Buck’s Character Arc

(01:17:00) Eddie’s Character Arc

(01:51:39) Why Buck & Eddie Aren’t Friends

(02:13:55) Buddie Parallels & Symbolism

(02:26:38) Eddie-Abby and Buck-Shannon Parallels

(02:45:05) Drawing Buddie Parallels to Other Couples

(02:54:32) Buddie via Visual Framing & Blocking

(03:06:23) Eddie, Here’s Your Queer-Coded Sign

(03:11:09) U-Haul Theory

(03:12:28) Coming Soon on 9-1-1…

(03:17:42) Cloudy with a Side of Buddie Forecast

(03:34:25) Our 8B Buddie Timeline Theory

(03:45:08) Buddie Feelings Realization Song Request

(03:47:01) Outro & Take a Buddie With You

Bobby just can’t face himself alone again.

Have you ever had your heartstrings pulled so tight that you thought they might snap? This week we are thrown into the emotional whirlwind of Season 2, Episode 16 of 9-1-1 "Bobby Begins Again," where Bobby Nash’s past collides with his present. 

From the harrowing fire that changed his life to the stark reality of his new beginning in Los Angeles, we get an intimate look at the man under the helmet. 

Han, Cil, and Rachel analyze the themes of grief, guilt, redemption, the quest for forgiveness, and how Bobby's life-altering decisions not only shape his character but echo through the lives of those around him.

But this isn't just just a story of loss; it’s a tale of resilience and the camaraderie within the 118, as we see how Bobby navigates his role in this new family and transitions from a haunted man to a leader who is learning to embrace joy again.

Keep your tissues close for this heart wrenching and heartwarming trip down Thunder Road! 

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The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro - Welcome to Dispatch 

(00:02:09) General Thoughts

(00:08:41) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:10:20) Red String Corner

(00:21:55) Flashover - Themes

(00:28:22) Who’s Cookin’? - It’s Chef Bobby in Da Firehouse!

(00:39:13) How Bobby Coped (Or Didn’t) in the Aftermath

(00:54:41) LA Baby - Bobby’s LA Culture Shock

(01:04:20) “Me and Bawk” - Bathena’s Meet Cute

(01:15:55) Bobby’s Deja Vu - Restaurant Fire

(01:21:44) Laying Down the Law at the 118

(01:27:10) Bobby’s Investigative Hat

(01:30:44) Confession at the Hospital

(01:33:14) Where’s the Fire - Scene Dissection: After Work Drinks

(01:50:49) Bobby Getting His Life Together Montage

(02:04:47) Slow Burn - Bi Buck & Buddie Watch

(02:13:58) Outro - Take a Buddie With You

Get ready to flip your perspective because this episode of 9-1-1 is a real gem!

This week we dive into the hilariously chaotic world of Season 2, Episode 15 'Ocean's 9-1-1', where the 118 are a distraction, and the real heist is our sanity! Bobby and the gang are accused of being part of a plot that spirals out of control, and let’s just say, the detectives in this episode are as incompetent as they come!

We’re all about The Buddie System here (lol), and with Hen in the hot seat facing some serious accusations, you’ll want to hear how our favorite first responders back each other up—because nothing screams “family” like a dash of drama and a sprinkle of whodunit! The detectives' hilariously misguided theories about Athena, Bobby, Buck, Hen, Chimney, Michael, and Eddie highlight the absurdity of assumptions, reminding us to always think outside the box!

Han, Cil, and Rachel explore how this episode flips the usual procedural formula on its head, giving us delightful twists that made us feel like we were watching a movie, with our 118 fam caught in a web of crime, comedy, and confusion. We even imagined what it would be like if Buck, Eddie, and the rest of the squad were to start their own crime syndicate. Spoiler alert: it’s as chaotic and hilarious as you’d expect!

So grab your detective hats, and let’s start from the beginning so we can crack this case wide open.

📔 Articles Mentioned:

📰 How ‘9-1-1’s Breezy Heist Episode Channels ‘Ocean’s Eleven’, TV Insider

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Showrunner Tim Minear Teases Spring Return, Origin Stories & More Season 2 Details, TV Line

📰 Florida teen rescued after being trapped in bank vault for hours, New York Post

Chapters

(00:00:00)-Intro

(00:02:12)-General Thoughts

(00:09:03)-Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:12:52)-Red String Corner

(00:20:46)-Needle Drop

(00:22:32)-Flashover - Themes

(00:34:40)-Who’s Cookin’ - “Motives” for the Heist

(00:36:22)-Buck & Maddie - Lost Their Security Deposit 

(00:43:25)-Hen - Stressed About Karen’s Unemployment

(00:54:18)-Chimney - Too Much Time on His Hands

(01:00:12)-Eddie- Too Competent For His Own Good

(01:06:48)-A Very Buddie Resume

(01:11:03)-Michael - Friends with His Ex’s New Squeeze

(01:13:50)-Athena - In Cahoots by Association

(01:18:30)-Bobby - Conspiring with His Fiance’s Ex

(01:19:32)-Where’s the Fire? - Scene Dissection: Bobby’s Interrogation

(01:28:48)-Slow Burn - Bi Buck & Buddie Watch

(01:33:12)-Who’s Your Partner?

(01:40:55)-Take a Buddie With You - Outro

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Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY

Ever had a character in a show that just makes you scream, “Why are you even here?”

Plot twist: It’s all about Buddie. 

Tommy Kinard is the ultimate MacGuffin of the 9-1-1 universe, and we’re going to hold your hand while we break down this plot device! In this week’s episode, Han, Cil, and Rachel explore the intricacies of narrative devices through the lens of Tommy’s character – or lack thereof. With less depth than a kiddie pool, Tommy’s role is to showcase Buck's journey of self-discovery and his coming to terms with his bisexuality. 

We delve into why Tommy’s presence is never really acknowledged as substantial, but merely raises some serious questions about Buck’s feelings for Eddie, Eddie’s sexuality, and basically anything other than Tommy himself. 

From bully to misdirected love interest, Tommy’s journey is like a roller coaster that never quite leaves the station. Navigating through his brief moments of impact we see how Tommy’s more of a stepping stone than a destination for Buck, with a big fat nothingburger for his own storyline. Join us as we analyze the echoing themes of relationship dynamics, character replacements, and the undeniable fact that sometimes, characters just exist to make the main ones look better. 

We tackle everything from the awkward love triangle to the emotional fallout of Buck’s first queer relationship and how Tommy’s exit finally sets the stage for Buck to realize his feelings about Eddie. 

Buck-le up for some laughs, some eye rolls, and a whole lot of “That’s crazy work,” as we shine a light on Tommy’s “questionable” relevance! 

Chapters

(00:00:00)-Intro

(00:01:16)-What is a Plot Device?

(00:05:30)-Tommy’s a Bully Stock Character

(00:15:28)-Just a Co-Worker

(00:24:21)-It Was Supposed to Be Lucy

(00:34:06)-Buck, Bothered and Bewildered

(00:49:07)-Tommy is a Mirror for Eddie

(00:53:37)-Buck Confides in Maddie About Eddie and Tommy

(01:01:30)-Tommy Shows Up at Buck’s Loft

(01:09:46)-Love Triangle Blocking Metaphor

(01:13:37)-Buck’s Coming Out Tour

(01:26:03)-We Were On a Date, Is That Weird?

(01:32:48)-Jealousy, Jealousy at the Bachelor Party

(01:43:51)-Tommy’s Just There, But He Doesn’t Belong

(02:00:19)-Help, Buck’s Still at the Restaurant

(02:05:51)-How Did It End? Where it Began.

(02:15:29)-The Proof is in the Press Interviews

(02:27:45)-The Breakup Was Premature On Purpose

(02:31:18)-In Conclusion: We’re Correct

(02:34:42)-Outro and Take a Buddie with You

📔 Articles Mentioned:

📰 What is a Plot Device? Definitions and Examples, Studio Binder

→ Oliver Stark Interviews

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Star Oliver Stark on That Ex Twist, Tommy’s Choice and Why Buck Went to Eddie for Comfort, Variety

📰  9-1-1's Oliver Stark on Buck and Tommy's shocking breakup by Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly

→ Tim Minear Interviews

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Creator Says Buck’s Big Romantic Moment Has Been in the Works ‘A Long Time’, The Wrap

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Boss: Exploring Buck’s New Sexual Awakening “Felt Like It Was the Right Time”, The Hollywood Reporter

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Boss on Tommy’s Wild Revelation, Buck & Eddie Figuring Themselves Out , TV Insider

📰 9-1-1 Showrunner Tim Minear Talks Athena’s Rookie, Bobby’s Hotshots Return, Buck’s Heartache & Teases Midseason Finale, TV Fanatic

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Boss Tim Minear Unpacks The Midseason Finale And Shares His Season 8 Goal: “To Blow It All The Hell Apart”, Decider 

→ Lou Ferrigno Jr. Interviews

📰 9-1-1’s Lou Ferrigno Jr. Reflects On Tommy And Buck’s “Heart-Wrenching” Breakup And Why The Role Was A “True Blessing, Decider

📰 Lou Ferrigno Jr. on Returning to ‘9-1-1’ for Buck’s Bisexual Awakening, The Hollywood Reporter

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

A falling star fell from Eddie’s heart and landed in Buck’s eyes.

Have you ever wondered what the stars have to say about Buddie? Well, grab your cosmic popcorn because we’re diving deep into the stardust of the universe! 

In this special episode Han, Cil, and Rachel are guided by our celestial sage, Chrissy (@kithmet) joining us to unravel the star-crossed mysteries surrounding our favorite 9-1-1 duo. 

As we dissect their personalities through the lens of astrology, we uncover the intricate dance of their relationship, exploring themes of emotional vulnerability, the struggle between duty and desire, and the undeniable chemistry that binds them together.

Wondering what zodiac signs have to do with fictional character analysis? We’re so glad you asked, it’s because the stars told us:

Buck is a pathological people-pleaser, always striving for harmony and fairness, while he yearns for a home and family he can really belong to and be truly seen by, while masking his inner turmoil with charm and bravado.

Eddie embodies steadfast loyalty, with a single-minded, all-or-nothing mentality that can get him into trouble with the additional layer of his intense sense of responsibility and conflicting bone-deep desire for real romantic partnership.

And that’s not even scratching the surface!

Whether you’re an astrology novice or a seasoned star-gazer, this episode promises to be a mystical journey through the planets and constellations. Join us for some laughs, some 'aha' moments, and perhaps a little bit of cosmic chaos as we explore how their lives have been shaped by the stars — influencing their motives, actions, and ultimately, their fates together.

Buck-le up; it’s gonna be a wild ride through the galaxy!

Chapters

(00:00:00)-Welcome Guest Host Chrissy

(00:04:13)-Astrology 101 and Our Big Three

(00:08:36)-Buck and Eddie’s Birth Chart Overview

(00:30:08)-Buck’s Libra Mirrorball

(00:52:42)-Buck’s Cancer Martyr Complex

(01:09:48)-Buck’s Leo is the Brightest Thing in the Room

(01:26:28)-Eddie’s Stubborn Taurus Bull

(01:41:12)-Eddie’s Scorpio Built a Maze in His Mind

(02:02:09)-Eddie’s Capricorn Masks His Mess

(02:09:47)-Buddie Compatibility Written in the Stars

(02:22:28)-Buck’s In Depth Horoscope in The Pattern App

(02:32:32)-Eddie’s In Depth Horoscope in The Pattern App

(02:40:53)-Buddie’s Relationship Horoscope Pattern

(02:46:22)-Conclusion: We’re Correct!

(02:58:07)-Chrissy’s Social Media, New Fic, and Outro

🌟 Connect with Chrissy 🌟

🔭 Twitter 

🔭 Tumblr

📚 something touched me (like a knife-blade), by kithmet, Archive of Our Own 

📚 slaughterhouse, by kithmet, Archive of Our Own

🌌 Astrological Resources 🌌

✨ The Pattern App

✨ Libra Sun, Co-Star

✨ Cancer Moon, Cosmopolitan

✨ Leo Rising, Cosmopolitan

✨ Taurus Sun, Co-Star

✨ Scorpio Moon, Cosmopolitan

✨ Capricorn Rising, Cosmopolitan

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

I say, “Can you believe it?” as we’re lying on the couch, “the Buddie canon we can see it, yes, yes, we can see it now!”

This week Couch Theory takes center stage as Han, Cil, and Rachel take you on a whimsical journey through the concept that has captured the imagination of Buddie fans since Season 6.

From the couch that symbolizes relationships to the chair that represents his newfound independence, we unravel how Buck's choices (or lack thereof) reflect his emotional journey.  In a trademark iconic moment, Christopher points out Buck's lack of a couch, signaling a deeper commentary on adulthood and responsibility. Buck's inability to choose a couch mirrors his seemingly endless challenge in choosing the *right* partners, and we follow the invisible strings tying parallels between his relationships with Eddie and his romantic partners, and how these dynamics play out on the couch. 

We explore how the couch serves as a metaphor for intimacy, family dynamics, and emotional distance, highlighting key moments when Buck and Eddie navigate their feelings for each other and their roles as co-parents. Don’t worry, there is plenty of couch symbolism for Eddie as well—the Buddies discuss how his proximity and position on the couch mirror his emotional state and his struggles with acceptance and belonging.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, this exploration of Couch Theory brings new dimensions to understanding Buck and Eddie and their intertwined lives, and inspires a look back on your favorite moments with fresh eyes, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next chapter of their stories.

In our thorough investigation we uncover this underlying truth: sometimes, the best couch is the one right under your nose, waiting for you to sit down and get comfortable. So grab your snacks, settle in, and join us for a deep dive of Buck’s psyche via furniture!

Chapters:

(00:00:00)-Intro

(00:00:40)-Let’s move this party to the couch!

(00:02:10)-Couch Theory 101

(00:07:40)-Symbolism Overview

(00:13:04)-Buck & Abby’s breakup (1x10)

(00:19:35)-Buck asks Maddie to stay (2x01)

(00:26:34)-Buck & Eddie help move Maddie’s couch (2x06)

(00:30:35)-Buck gets crushed x2 & Ali break up (2x18)

(00:42:33)-Eddie drops Chris off to hang with “his Buck” (3x01)

(00:45:51)-Going for the title on Buck’s couch (3x09)

(00:47:40)-Buck isn’t really a guest on Eddie’s couch (3x11)

(00:51:27)-Buck and Eddie co-parenting and married behavior (4x03)

(00:54:19)-Chris and Buck's matching abandonment issues (4x08)

(01:03:26)-Ana sits in Buck’s seat on the Diaz couch (4x10)

(01:05:22)-Eddie’s performing via pillow fluffing (4x13)

(01:09:32)-Buck snoring on Eddie’s couch while Eddie recovers (4x14)

(01:14:07)-Taylor finding comfort in Buck (5x09)

(01:16:38)-Taylor moves in with her wrong blue couch (5x13)

(01:24:47)-Eddie’s couch nightmare & heart to heart with Bobby (5x14)

(01:27:43)-Buck, Taylor, Hen & Chimney’s Jonah Discovery (5x17)

(01:30:02)-Taylor moving out paves the way for Couch Theory (5x18)

(01:34:15)-Buck doesn’t even have a couch! (6x01)

(01:51:30)-Couch Chronicles - Couch Theory in Season 6 Press Articles

(01:55:32)-Eddie restless & uncomfortable hearing Buck’s donation decision (6x09)

(02:05:35)-The Coma Dream Couch (6x11)

(02:18:43)-Buck finding comfort & safety on the Diaz couch after lightning strike (6x12)

(02:25:34)-Chris falls asleep on the Diaz couch (6x13)

(02:34:06)-The birth on Buck’s uncomfortable couch (6x18)

(02:48:42)-Eddie first in, last out at the bachelor party (7x06)

(02:57:57)-Eddie comes clean to Kim then wakes up to a living nightmare (7x09)

(03:04:33)-Eddie asking Buck to help after the Kim Situation™ (7x10)

(03:12:44)-Buck having Eddie’s back during the FaceTime birthday party (8x01)

(03:19:48)-The Foreshadowing of Buck & Tommy Bones (8x05)

(03:23:01)-Eddie’s Risky Business & Buck’s latest breakup (8x06)

(03:32:26)-Buck crashing out about Eddie moving to El Paso (8x08)

(03:42:08)-Couch Chronicles - References in Mid-Season 8 Finale Press

(03:47:53)-Couch Theory Extended Universe - Our Theories Looking Forward

(03:52:53)-Take a Buddie With You & Outro

📔 Articles Mentioned:

📰 9-1-1 star Oliver Stark on Buck's new single life — and what's to come in season 6, Entertainment Weekly

📰 9-1-1 team unpacks Buck's emotional coma dream episode: 'We're going to see a new side of him', Entertainment Weekly

📰 9-1-1's Oliver Stark on season 6 finale, Buck's new romance, Lucy's return, and that couch, Entertainment Weekly

📰 ‘9-1-1’s Oliver Stark Previews Season 7, Episode 6: “One Of My Favorite Ever Episodes To Shoot”, Decider

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Boss Tim Minear Unpacks The Midseason Finale And Shares His Season 8 Goal: “To Blow It All The Hell Apart”, Decider

📰 Interview: Peter Krause and Oliver Stark talk all things ‘9-1-1’ Season 8, Entertainment Focus

📰 9-1-1 star Oliver Stark on Buck’s beautiful bisexual arc and what’s next for ‘Buddie’, Pink News 

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

How do you go back to basics and move forward at the same time? Why, grow sideways, of course!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel break down Season 2 Episode 14 of 9-1-1, “Broken.” Dispatch’s CAD system is down for the count, intrinsically transporting our first responders back to the 1900’s—where all they had were paper maps, a weird-ass white board system, and an encyclopedic knowledge of the L.A. grid system.

Maddie and Chimney are recovering from the aftermath of “the Doug of it all” and trying to get back to normal with mixed results. We discuss how they are mourning the new beginning that was ripped away from them, trying to move forward separately while missing the other, and their shared assurances to Hen and Josh that they don’t need to talk about it because they are *Ross voice* “fine.”

There’s growing pains in co-dad paradise as Harry’s actions put Bobby in a tough spot as he tries to find his footing between being “Best Buddy Bobby” and “Step-Dad Bobby.” The Buddies speak on Michael’s own emotional state putting a considerable handicap on his usual level-headedness—and how he and Bobby are able to build a stronger foundation in better understanding one another once they sit down and talk openly over some pie and ice cream.

We look into the ominous foreshadowing for Shannon and Buck’s fates later this season and how long the writers nefariously plot ahead of time. Eddie gets a special spotlight in this Slow Burn segment as we explore the “losing his religion” implications of miracles and praying mentioned in the episode.

The characters might ignore things, but we won’t. At the end of the day there are worse ways to stay alive.

📔 Articles Mentioned:

📰 Is This the End of Chimney and Maddie on ‘9-1-1’?, TV Insider

📰 “There’s Going to Be Chaos”: 9-1-1 Breakout Oliver Stark on Ryan Murphy’s Outrageous Procedural, Paste Magazine

📰 A Cyberattack Hobbles Atlanta, and Security Experts Shudder, New York Times

📰 Baltimore's 911 emergency system hit by cyberattack, NBC News

📰 Massachusetts 911 outage was caused by computer firewall, not a cyberattack, officials say, CNN

📰 Hackers have taken down dozens of 911 centers. Why is it so hard to stop them?, NBC News

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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Facebook

Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters

(00:00:00) Welcome to Dispatch - Intro

(00:03:04) General Thoughts

(00:08:29) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:13:40) Red String Corner

(00:23:04) Foreshadowing Shannon’s & Buck’s Fates

(00:36:15) Drawing Buddie Parallels in Every Speech Josh Ever Gives

(00:39:04) Flashover - Themes

(00:45:42) Who’s Cookin’? - Character Arcs

(00:46:01) Bobby & Michael

(00:57:31) Where’s The Fire? - Scene Dissection: Bobby & Michael’s Confrontation & Heart-to-Heart

(01:13:19) Maddie Trying to Convince Everyone She’s “I’m FiNe”

(01:20:24) Chimney Working From Home & Saving the Day

(01:26:20) The Madney First Date Re-Do? 

(01:35:47) Hen’s Soft Spot

(01:39:09) Slowburn - Bi Buck & Buddie Watch

(01:39:51) Buck Freaks Out When Eddie Pulls a Buck-Esque Stunt

(01:45:02) Does Eddie Believe in Miracles? 

(01:47:33) Eddie Doesn’t Let Himself Feel Things  

(01:52:23) You Voted For It! The Winner of Our Hiatus Special Episode Is… 

(0:1:53:27) Take a Buddie With You - Outro

And then he ran into her knife. He ran into her knife ten times.

Close enough, welcome back Maddie Begins! This week Han, Cil, and Rachel do our best Cell Block Tango into Season 2 Episode 13 of 9-1-1, “Fight or Flight.” Maddie is back in her own personal horror movie: abducted by the abusive spouse she fled, all alone with no one and nothing to support or help her, and losing the hope she rekindled after her marriage snuffed it out.

Meanwhile, Buck and Athena dispatch themselves on the case, which is lucky because the detective in charge seems set on doing less than the bare minimum, assuming this will quickly turn into a murder investigation. We discuss how Buck and Athena wiggle through the loopholes of The System to advocate and facilitate for Maddie’s safe return.

Ultimately, Maddie does not know if help is coming, or if it will make it to her in time, so she devises multiple plans to save herself using the observational skills she’s honed in her time at Dispatch. We delve into her emotional and mental state and ascertain how she cycles through the stages of grief, going from from dissociative and resigned to actively fighting back.

If there’s one thing the Buckleys are good at it’s improvising! The Buddies admire Maddie’s quick-thinking under extreme duress and how she flips Doug’s pathetic attempts at manipulation back on him to buy her more time.

We talk about the potential for a dual Buckley near-death experience (NDE) in the upcoming latter half of Season 8 and how that could lead to a bittersweet Madney and Buddie parallel. Chimney recovers in the hospital and the 118 extended family rallies around him in the waiting room. The team reminisce and bond as Hen drops some new Chimney lore, but we are squinting suspiciously at the exchange between Michael and Eddie when they meet, setting off our impeccable gaydar.

If you’d have been there, if you’d have seen it, we betcha you would have done the same.

📔 Articles Mentioned:

📰 ‘9-1-1’: Jennifer Love Hewitt on That Bloody Snow Battle – and Its ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Joke, The Wrap

📰 ‘9-1-1’: Jennifer Love Hewitt on That Emotional Episode, What’s Next for Maddie & Chimney, TV Insider

📖 The Bravery Game by songbvrd, Archive of Our Own

📖 B L E E D   F O R   M E by Olympea, Archive of Our Own

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY

Chapters

(00:00:00) Welcome to Dispatch - Intro

(00:02:48) General Thoughts

(00:10:18) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:15:24) Red String Corner

(00:19:44) Flashover - Themes

(00:25:57) Who’s Cookin’? - Character Arcs

(00:26:56) Buck’s Panic & Finding Loopholes in The System

(00:36:05) Buck & Athena Buddy Cop Team Up

(00:45:52) Maddie Flashbacks to Doug’s Abuse

(00:59:41) Maddie Experiencing the Stages of Grief

(01:06:43) Escape at the Gas Station

(01:16:34) Buckley Sibling NDEs in 8b?

(01:18:42) Help is Not Coming

(01:27:51) Where’s The Fire? - Scene Dissection: Maddie Fights Doug in the Woods

(01:36:12) Madney Giving Romeo + Juliet Parallels

(01:40:36) Buck & Maddie Reunite

(01:44:40) Chimney Recovering in the Hospital

(01:48:53) Christopher’s Perception of Hospitals

(01:53:02) 118 & Co. in the Waiting Room

(01:56:14) Slowburn - Bi Buck & Buddie Watch

(01:56:24) Gay Recognize Gay - Eddie Meets Michael

(02:00:40) Eddie & Shannon in the Waiting Room

(02:04:08) Buddie Hospital Jail Visitation

(02:15:26) Take a Buddie With You - Outro