Four episodes into 9-1-1's tenth season, and the show is still dropping the ball on one of its most compelling characters. Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman) has been a fan favorite since his debut, but the series keeps giving him short shrift—especially when it comes to his dynamic with Buck (Oliver Stark). The latest episode, "Imposter Syndrome," wraps up their big Season 10 fight in a way that feels rushed and unearned, leaving viewers frustrated and Eddie sidelined yet again.
The season opened with a volcanic eruption and a heated argument between Buck and Eddie. On the surface, they clashed because Eddie gave Buck some parental advice he wasn't ready to hear. But underneath, the fight was really about the unspoken, undefined parts of their friendship—the tension that's been building for seasons. The obvious fix was for them to finally talk it out and redefine their relationship. Instead, Episode 4 resolves the conflict mostly off-screen, with a brief conversation where Eddie ends up comforting a self-deprecating Buck. Eddie's own feelings? Never addressed.
This isn't a one-off misstep. Since Eddie returned from Texas at the end of Season 8, he hasn't had a proper storyline of his own. Whenever the show leans into the fan-favorite "Buddie" pairing, it inevitably pivots to Buck. Last season, when Buck pointed out that Eddie hadn't "even looked at a woman in a year," it seemed like the show might finally explore Eddie's romantic life—or even his sexuality. Instead, the episode became all about Buck's hookups with a married couple. Even after their car accident in "Mother's Boy," only Buck dealt with the lingering trauma; Eddie's experience was ignored.
The pattern continued in the Season 9 finale, when Eddie was stabbed. He recovered off-screen, and his pain was used to fuel Buck's decision to foster Theo. Now, in Season 10, the fight that was supposed to be about their dynamic turned into a Buck-centric parenting crisis with Theo. Eddie was barely in the episode, and when they made up, it was Eddie who had to reassure Buck. It's a frustrating cycle that's become a recurring problem for the show.
Eddie is one of the most layered characters on television. He's got a rich backstory, a fierce love for his family, and a deep-seated belief that he doesn't deserve happiness. There's so much to explore: his grief over losing Bobby and his abuela, his complicated relationship with faith, his struggles with dating, and his bond with his son Christopher (Gavin McHugh). But the show rarely gives him the spotlight. He hasn't had a meaningful storyline with Christopher since they returned to L.A., and his shift to working as a paramedic alongside Hen (Aisha Hinds) was barely acknowledged.
Meanwhile, Buck gets all the emotional beats. Every Buddie storyline becomes about Buck's growth, Buck's trauma, Buck's feelings. Eddie is reduced to a supporting player in his own narrative. It's a disservice to both the character and the fans who've invested in his journey. The show needs to give Eddie his own arcs—and let him be the focus of his shared storylines with Buck, too.
As 9-1-1 continues its tenth season, it's clear the writers have a goldmine in Eddie Diaz, but they're not digging deep enough. If they don't start giving him the attention he deserves, fans will keep calling it out. 9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8:00 P.M. EST on ABC.
