9-1-1 Season 8's Ignored Team Is Key to Buck's Healing

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for 9-1-1 season 8, episode 8.Amid all the action expected for the second half 9-1-1 In season 8, the series needs to find space for an important and emotional scene between Buck and Bobby. The pair are key components of the 9-1-1 season 8 cast, but the two characters rarely get serious scenes together despite their important bond. With Buck's character already going through a lot of heartbreak in the first eight episodes, he needs a constant support system – and waiting until 9-1-1 season 9 to reunite Buck and Bobby may be too late.

9-1-1 Season 8 has already not been kind to Buckof developing rare boils on her face in episode 5 (“Masks”) to be abandoned by her boyfriend in episode 6 (“Confessions”). As fans of the ABC procedural anxiously await 9-1-1 In Season 8 Episode 9, there's no telling how much more difficult Buck's storyline will get before it gets better. The key to him healing from his current wounds is to reintroduce Bobby as his confidant, on and off the clock.

Bobby and Buck's relationship took a backseat on 9-1-1

Their bond was strengthened and then forgotten

For long-time viewers of 9-1-1a heart-to-heart between Buck and Bobby wouldn't be unprecedented. The two characters have been linked since before the show even began, with Bobby recalling the pair seeing Bruce Springsteen together in season 1, episode 1 (“Pilot”). As the two characters went through independent development and major changes in their lives, they always came back together to talk about it. After Bobby marries Athena (Angela Bassett), his stepdaughter even tells him: “Mommy brought two kids to the wedding, you brought one,” in reference to Buck. Family relationships found in TV shows are common, but 9-1-1 I used to bet everything on this trope.

However, despite Buck still referring to Bobby as a father figure, 9-1-1 rarely gives them screen time together. Even during Bobby 9-1-1 season 7's near-death experience, Buck doesn't have a scene by his side – an abrupt departure of Bobby praying at Buck's hospital bed while he's in a coma (season 6, episode 11, “In Another Life”). Both characters were given major storylines in Season 8, but 9-1-1 it dropped the stereotypical element of them leaning on each other afterwards. Buck, shockingly, went from canonically being Bobby's found son to being practically absent from his character arc.

How Buck Reconnecting With Bobby Could Help Him Move On In Season 8

Bobby can be Buck's guide again

9-1-1Intense disasters are always stressful for first responders, but Buck was affected by more personal issues that require guidance. In addition to being heartbroken by the breakup, his best friend Eddie (Ryan Guzman) and his sister Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) are in critical transitions. Eddie is potentially leaving 9-1-1 Season 8 to move to Texas while Maddie is pregnant with her second child. Unfortunately, Maddie's fate in 9-1-1 season 8 feels extremely precarious. With loved ones in danger or in need of a moving truck, Buck needs Bobby now more than ever.

Just like in previous seasons, 9-1-1 I can have Bobby guide Buck in the right direction and comfort him in difficult times. Buck's character will need to talk to someone during these emotional storylines, and there's no chance Bobby won't notice and become worried. Considering his best friend is one of his biggest stressors, Buck won't have many people to turn to other than his fire captain. When 9-1-1 season 8 returns, Bobby and Buck don't just deserve one scene together – they're going to need one for Buck to navigate the second half of the season.

9-1-1 returns Thursday, March 6, 2025 on ABC.