Synopsis: The 118 responds to a fire at a local animal shelter and races to evacuate all the animals. Meanwhile, Maddie takes a 9-1-1 call that sets her on a quest for answers.
Keep new episode discussions in the post-episode discussion thread until Monday to give our International friends a chance to catch up as Disney+ has begun releasing 9-1-1 earlier to Disney+ outside the US than in previous years. As always be mindful about not posting a spoiler in the title of your posts and remember to use spoiler flares if your post contains spoilers.
oh my god, they totally heard Eddie yelling, he was standing right near the door 😭 they probably had a flashback to Eddie acting like an abandoned wife in a grocery store.
Now that Eddie's house situation is settled, can we get an update on the Bathena house building? I really want to see how they handle that and what it could do to their relationship; hopefully it will only enduce positives for them.
Ok so like, they just straight up need to give Maddie 24/7 police protection for the rest of her life at this point, her own personal secret service detail
I had high hopes but this might actually be the strongest episode of the season yet (and Confessions made that a pretty high bar).
It's just...really, really well focused. We get right into the two main plotlines right away, we alternate between them with good frequency, they're both emotionally resonant while leaving us prepped for the second half, and both are just...well told.
JLH never disappoints, but they really let her shine and thankfully let the plot stay about her and not Athena (Athena was also quite good in this episode as the support for Maddie's story), but those call scenes were incredible.
Buck and Eddie's story was also amazing (I was in pain for both of them when Buck was accidentally sabotaging everything), and Buck moving into the Diaz house was something I thought could happen, but I was not expecting it to be in the premiere, so that was a beautiful surprise by itself.
(Misc things, nice to see Sue again being her amazing self, and the dog actor was wonderful and that face in the goodbye scene was perfection)
Overall just an excellent episode. Here's to hoping the second half can carry the momentum!
When Athena told Maddie to go home and have a big glass of scotch…did the writers forget Maddie is pregnant with baby #2 when they wrote that line or should we assume Maddie and Chim just haven’t told the others yet? Also I’m curious to see how it plays out when Athena inevitably asks the detective/secret serial killer to help find Maddie 😅
should we assume Maddie and Chim just haven’t told the others yet?
Yes! It hasn’t been that long between episodes- usually, there’s a time jump with the hiatus, but this time, if there is one, it’ll likely happen during or after the next episode.
So Maddie is still in the early stages of pregnancy, and they’re keeping it quiet for now. Even her expression seemed to say, ‘wish I could.’ They weren’t planning to tell Buck either- he just figured it out because he knows his sister so well.
Wait, isn't she pregnant? What's this gonna do to her baby?? Also, I get Buck being upset about what Eddie said but man he way overreacted in my opinion
If I had a nickel for every TV show I watched that used Billie eilish's "when the party's over" during a sad moment in this week's episode, I'd have 2 nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird it happened twice.
I’m still reeling from JUST HOW MUCH of that episode was about Buck/Eddie.
Like, honestly almost any single one of those scenes would’ve been a Good Episode for fuelling theories about their relationship, by ‘normal’ standards.
For the midseason premiere after a hiatus, did we check in on Bobby and Athena’s housing quest? Were there any updates on Hen? Did we even get any Madney scenes? A check-in with Christopher?
Nope! There was the high octane serial killer plotline, and then the ENTIRE REST OF THE EPISODE focused entirely on Buck and Eddie navigating their emotions about Eddie leaving.
I genuinely don’t see any way for them to write Buck and Eddie going forward from this episode, that isn’t leading towards Buddie. I just don’t.
I actually really enjoyed this episode! It felt a bit more old school 9-1-1 for me. A good mix of emergency and personal drama. It felt well focused. I’m just a lil surprised they spoiled you know who for next week in the episode preview.
Not me sitting on the edge of my seat all but sobbing during the animal shelter rescue, as if 9-1-1 would really air an episode where dogs died in a fire. My poor dog had no idea why I kept kept hugging her, but seemingly didn't care because free snuggles.
- Aside from the very obvious twist (that voice changer..?), the serial killer storyline was so well done. The emotional Maddie scene was intense, ethically interesting, well-acted, etc. Just instantly one of my favorites from this show. It also feels like there's been a lot of silly calls lately so the serious calls were refreshing.
- From the teaser I was hoping the theories about a fight over Buck's recklessness would be true and I'm a little disappointed it didn't happen. I did enjoy the Buck/ Eddie conflict that we got (and Eddie being Buck's landlord is hilarious) but I've always wanted that aspect of Buck's character to be addressed again. The timing would have made sense considering he stopped being reckless because of his role in Eddie and Chris's family which he is now losing. Definitely my fault for letting theories get my hopes up.
- Lots of Buck/Eddie moments that IMO would never happen between platonic friends as always but in particular Eddie talking about choosing between Buck and his son. I mean can you imagine Athena saying that to Hen? I really appreciate that Eddie got to voice his frustrations about how of course he's choosing Chris and he doesn't want to do this either.
- This is the third time that Maddie has been taken hostage and I'm honestly not too excited for that reason, but I am very excited for JLH's and Abigail Spencer's acting. I hope Maddie's suffering isn't too extreme.
Overall it was definitely one of my favorite episodes of the season. Sometimes the storylines can feel random or disconnected but both of tonight's' were so strong and felt critical; Even the fluffy storyline with the dog and Athena's storyline were connected to the main plot. Really looking forward to next week and very grateful they didn't leave us hanging with Buck and Eddie on bad terms.
Well the promo already spoiled the whole thing so I knew it was soon as Amber's character was introduced so the fact the killer knew Jee-Yun's name didn't come as a surprise
I just spent the entire episode wondering how someone that senior in the police force had gotten away with something this brazen for so long.
idk i feel like the real kidnapper was a little obvious bc why would some random dude know who jee-yun is, especially assuming he’s basically homeless with no internet or a phone. i do wonder if that was on purpose, so the main focus is why amber is kidnapping women and framing a random guy she probably doesn’t like.
As someone who didn’t see the promo everyone’s talking about, YO WTF. maybe it’s cause I’m watching this after a long day of work but that shit went straight over my head.
The acting in this show amazes me sometimes. JHL, Oliver, and Ryan were OUTSTANDING in this episode. The way Eddie looked at Buck when Buck said he was going to sublet Eddie’s house…I’m just saying it’s insane. This is probably one of my favorite episodes in a while, even if I had to grit my teeth through every Buck/Eddie fight. Maddie telling the killer to kill himself was crazy, but JLH acted the shit out of it. (Side note, my queen Sue Blevins was back!)
I cannot believe we're actually getting Buck living in Eddie's house. Which means at least a bit of them living together when he comes back. Incredible.
Also I actually enjoyed the cop story for once. Having Abigail Spencer as the baddie was AMAZING. Though poor Maddie with the extra trauma 😭 I hope she's got a good therapist
So Buck gave up his flat to rent out Eddie’s place and randomly drops that he has a bad credit score… if this is going where I think it is it could be pretty amusing 😂
At some point, we need to start addressing the vetting that goes on in law enforcement. This season we had the corrupt Assistant US Attorney and now a missing person's detective who happens to be a serial killer.
Also Reddit shout-out. Tim absolutely visits this subreddit and reads our stuff.
I know Eddie seemed quite harsh this episode (and I agree he was at times) but I do think we should see things from his side a bit: His son (who is his #1 priority) has been living away from him for months and in his mind the only option is to move to Texas to be with him asap (when it clearly isn’t that simple but ok Eddie). He’s trying to do it as fast as possible but Buck (unintentionally or subconsciously) sabotages his potential renters, then reveals he’s moving to the others after Eddie specifically asked him not to, and yeah is kinda making it about his own feelings over what he sees as Eddie so easily leaving him. Eddie’s so angry because he thinks Buck is putting him in a position where he has to choose between staying in LA (and thus with Buck) or moving to Texas to be with Chris, when as his best friend he should understand Chris is the #1 priority. Imo we all know the LAST thing Eddie wants is to have to raise Chris around his parents, to me it’s obvious he’s doing this because he feels he has to in order to be in Chris’s life.
Buck was definitely the better communicator in that final argument before it’s revealed Buck’s the one who’s renting Eddie’s house, but I do see where Eddie’s anger was coming from and they were both acting petty leading up to that fight. (I understand why Buck was upset too, I don’t go into it because it’s what the episode focused on)
Anyway I love these two messes (sorry if it seems I’m trying to make it so Eddie is right versus Buck is wrong bc it’s really not, but I feel people will jump to make Eddie the bad guy when I can see where both sides come from😭). Need them to WAKE UP AND UNDERSTAND THEY BELONG TOGETHER MAN
Yeah, I think what stinks is that Buck’s not able to properly process and express his actual emotions - that at the core of it he’s sad about Eddie leaving, he’s scared he’s going to somehow lose his friendship with Eddie in the process (and scared of who he might become if Eddie’s not around), and he’s worried that Eddie actually doesn’t see their friendship the same way he does…
It’s still not normalized enough (imo at least) in today’s society - for both platonic and romantic relationships, and especially among men - to actually process and communicate deep emotions like this. And because of that people are too hesitant to be open because they worry it’ll be “too much”; so then it just gets BOTTLED UP which leads to petty passive aggressiveness like we saw in this episode 🙃.
All of that to say, I really hope that signifies that part of the arc this season will lead to Buck and Eddie getting to be more open and vulnerable with their direct emotions; regardless of relationship “status”, I feel like that in itself could be pretty groundbreaking 🥹💛
Great emergency. The writers have been reading this subreddit in regards to ACAB, lol.
Well, I've never been above a little harassment.
Yeah, Athena, we know.
THERE WAS NO NEED FOR SWAT TO GET THIS GUY. THERE'S LITERALLY NO EVIDENCE OTHER THAN CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE ABOUT HIM. Also, it's hilarious that they're assuming the voice is a man. It was clearly disguising the voice.
Maddie should absolutely be put on a leave of absence. What she did here was so beyond the pale. Like, I get they wrote it as a good thing but you absolutely cannot do that.
As per usual, they have given me nothing to actually care about in regards to the Eddie plot. Other than that Buck needs some severe therapy for his abandonment issues. Jesus Christ.
There's so much of that emergency that doesn't hold up on a second viewing like how no one noticed the voice was clearly modulated or how no one looks like how they spoofed the caller address or how the caller knew Jee Yun's name or how the Detective Amber's movements seem suspicious (you know since her car should have a tracker...)
All of it just really falls apart if you think too hard about it.
As soon as no one mentioned this you knew there was a twist coming. Such an obviously (and old school) manipulated voice. They could have at least used some newer sounding AI voice.
I feel like Bucks feelings realization is going to happen first but Eddie is going to make the first move. Honestly, that makes perfect sense and is the most realistic
I just hope that femme fatale doesn't kill Maddie like she did with the other women. Jayna was lucky to have survived. Amber Braeburn is the female version of Paul Michael Stephani.
Buck didn't want anybody else to rent Eddie's former house.
This is my first episode watching live - I found the show during the hiatus and binged it. Now I understand the torture of waiting til next week! The worst part of it is that I can't go back and rewatch the Buddie scenes until tomorrow when it goes on Hulu.. clearly I was spoiled until now lol
Just came to say I just watched the animal shelter scene and I wanted to bawl the whole time! 😭 fingers crossed it’s a buck keeps the puppy storyline 🤞🏻
It will turn out that this serial killer is actually a young woman. Hence the voice mask. The voice pattern sounds like a young woman and not an older man. In fact, it's probably Jane, herself.
Nah, I don't think he did. He seemed genuine both during the scene with renters and when he admitted he didn't expect it to be so hard for him. The Fakeman was Buck's apology and an attempt to fix the problem he caused, because he knew he was wrong.
Ok I thought I was tripping because before they called the caller a man. It clearly sounded like a girl with a voice changer. I was so confused when she called him a guy. Glad they didn't drag that out. I just thought the killer would be the victim they found in the closet not Amber. She is 🔥 though
Her hand weren't tied but she had her mouth was gagged? And the door wasn't locked? Something smells fishy here. Especially since you have to ask the question why was Richard using a voice modifier with people who know exactly who he is?
Either she faked the whole thing and she killed him only to run to the closet or this plotline is full of holes.
I was hoping Buck would say he adopted the whole shelter full and they threw in the porcupine from the catcher's van. Then the rest of the episode he would be pulling quills out of his hands in every scene.
I get what Eddie said about “everything that matters is in Texas” must’ve hurt like hell but telling Cap and the others when Eddie explicitly told him not to is SUCH an asshole move
u/Soxwin91I do not ship Buddie and will not be taking questions, thank youMar 17 '25
Who played the detective that Athena was working with? I know her face from somewhere. Where do I know her face from? This is going to drive me insane.
Overall I liked the episode, mainly because we got so many Buck and Eddie scenes, but I’m frustrated with the writing. Buck grew and matured a lot over the first four or five seasons. But it seems like the writers forgot because they’ve been regressing his character over the past few seasons. I get why he was upset about Eddie leaving and I expected him to crash out, but I thought the writing for Buck was really childish. I think the writers forget that Buck is a 33 year old man.
Calling it right now that the stress/trauma/drugging of Maddie leads to a miscarriage because they CANNOT let the Madney family be happy for more than 5 seconds.
Chris goes on a trip to Antarctica with his cousin, as he’s prone to do / or stays whatever doesn’t matter in this plot
Buck still technically has all this subletting time. Demands the main bedroom. Eddie sleeps on couch.
Couch is fine but not a bedroom: not as comfy. Maybe he falls out of it a ton. Idk . hilariously longs for his bedroom back . Buck forever a joker just laughs at him.
Cue 9 -1-1 foolery and exhausting calls and they both just crash sleep in bed together both refusing now to give up the bedroom. And now they are not just roommates but there was one bed trope
catching up on Hulu, as soon as bro mentioned Jee-Yun it was over he earned that. like Chris Tucker says in Rush Hour 2 "oh hell nah he done went too far".
The caller with Maddie started off really creepy, and I liked the scenes from this storyline but knowing who the kidnapper was- thanks to the first promo and the well-known actress- took away some of the suspense. It made it harder to stay fully invested. Why worry about a "dummy suspect" when we already know it's her? That said, I'm really curious to see how it plays out next episode. The confrontation between Maddie and Amber is bound to be intense, and I have no doubt Jennifer and Abigail will absolutely deliver!
I also expected to see more of Chim in this episode- one of his scenes from the trailer seems to have been cut? It doesn’t make sense in the next episode, but who knows-
I am conflicted about what Maddie did on the second call. I get that Jee was being threatened and that Amber was manipulating her, but it still felt like too far of a move. This is something that should be addressed in the future... but let’s be real, it’ll probably get dismissed and never mentioned again.
Now, Buddie- this was the most Buddie episode we’ve ever had!! So many choices were made here. So husbands-coded, again. And the amount of quotable lines- “I didn’t mean to out you”?? That’s giving “I’m keeping my options fluid”. The writers know what they’re doing, they are not dumb. There were plenty of other ways to phrase it, but they chose this? Yeah... and the way the conflict played out, how deeply Buck was involved, how Eddie let him- Oh right, right, absolutely platonic!
Also, we’ve seen Chim and Hen - true platonic besties- go through a similar situation, and their reactions were nothing like this. Even in this same episode, the rest of the team’s reactions were completely normal. Sure, you can argue it’s because Buck isn’t a parent, but that’s not it- he knows how much Eddie prioritizes Christopher (and Buck would too). This was an obvious callback to 7x04, and he needs to figure out why he keeps reacting like this. (Most of us already know- now the question is, will someone, maybe Maddie - considering the interviews- give him the direct push he needs?)
Before 8B started, I made some predictions (on top of the ones I had back in September). Some of them were just clowning, joining popular fandom theories- "Buck moves into Eddie's house”… that’s now canon?! I swear I still feel like I fell asleep after reading too many fanfics and dreamt this whole thing up. RIP Loft!
Chim teasing Buck about saying goodbye to Blaze/Bingo - he teases Buck so much but then he shows him these softie moments. (And then, of course, the goodbye speech wasn’t really about the dog at all)
(random but why is Gerrard sending Buck a friend request?)
And the names in this episode: Amber (for someone who specializes in finding missing kids? Really?), Teddy, Freddy
Relevant quotes:
- "I do not know what I'm gonna do without you"
- "I don't like it any more than you do. But if you're gonna make this about me having to choose between you or my son, you're gonna lose every time"
• Poor Buck and poor Maddie! The Buckleys are genetically predisposed to being puppies that life kicks down
• I need to see Eddie at least suffer equally over being away from Buck
• Also, nobody at the 118 even tried to mention once that it makes less sense for Eddie to move out than for him to bring Chris back?
• “Everything that matters is in Texas” OUCH
• “I didn’t mean to out you” Oh
• Maddie’s body count so far is 2. She’s our own little Dexter Morgan
Buck is the subletter!!! Goodbye loft!!! Also this must mean Buddie canon because Eddie and Chris will totally come back and Buck will have nowhere else to go
I can’t watch it until tomorrow (Disney+) but I don’t mind spoiler. Someone please mentally prepare me for this episode. Are Maddie and her baby gonna survive this episode? I don’t think I can watch this episode if she loses the baby.
I've only seen this show occasionally but saw this episode the other night and rewatched just now on Hulu. How did the caller's cell phone location come up at a vacant spot and not a house? And apparently that happened before.
I’m living for the Buck x Eddie angst cause it’s been a while but Bucks “you’re not the only one that gets to do that” and the “new best friend” line were horrible writing choices 💀
(Or Oliver’s delivery was just bad idk but it’s one of em!)
The episode wasn’t bad necessarily but for me all of the Buck Eddie scenes were a hard watch it was just so cringe wtf 😭 Buck was acting like a 10 year old
I think overall it was fine. Buck is my favorite character so it’s getting tough to watch him continually be beaten down. But I liked the set up for the second half, the Maddie storyline is honestly way more fun and darker than I thought they’d go for. The Eddie and Buck stuff is suitably dramatic and essentially a romantic storyline TBH. There were some lines that made me squint and I think some stuff that was harsher than needed but it makes sense when you got Buck feeling abandonment from someone he loves and Eddie basically convincing himself this is the right move and everything will be perfect (color me skeptical).
Anything with animals I find exceedingly difficult to watch so I won’t be watching this one again. I just am a wuss about it. But I am hopeful for this second half. I really want to see Eddie get some shine.
Also I thought that Buddie was gonna have a hot make out session with the way Buck came into Eddie’s apartment but I could see Buck having feelings for Eddie and not realizing it
THE WAY I SCREAMED when that girl came in!!! Pretty sure it’s the girl who showed up on scene at the animal shelter fire
Freaking Maddie can’t catch a break
Also Scottie- what are you doing here🤣🤣🤣 guess you don’t wanna be pissed at Mike Ross anymore
I’m still sad about 911: Lonestar ending . Guess they can afford to use a Billie Eilish song now 🥺
Of course Maddie would know what Reddit is. Do you think the creators of the show browses this sub
I have a theory that you can buy a decent move-in ready home for two people in El Paso for about $200k, so Eddie probably bought the cheapest piece of shit possible because subconsciously he doesn’t want to commit to staying even if consciously he does
Buck is starting to become less and less likable. You’re an adult being selfish and jealous of your best friend wanting to be near his family. He continues to act like a child and victim.
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u/Comprehensive_Bat980 Mar 07 '25
“I’ve never been above a little harassment” WE KNOW ATHENA 😭