9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 9 Review: Sob Stories

Fans of 9-1-1 who have been here through it all were heavily rewarded with tonight’s episode. From a cute dog rescue to Buck and Eddie fighting to Maddie and Athena teaming up once more, 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 9, “Sob Stories,” has it all.

After three months off, this show definitely chose to come back with a bang. From start to finish, the anticipation never wavers; we are constantly in a state of wanting more.

Then, to really catch us off guard, “Sob Stories” gives us a glimpse of happiness just to have it ripped away. So, let’s break it all down.

Buck’s Sadness about Eddie Leads to a Dog

First and foremost, any fan knows how much Oliver Stark loves dogs. This episode centering one of the storylines on Buck also loving dogs and wanting to have a furry friend in Eddie’s absence is so beautiful.

It’s always fun for fans when something that is true about the actor portraying a character comes out in their character. Lucky for us it’s not a far stretch to see Buck being a dog person.

Especially in terms of Buck adopting a shelter dog. Shelter dogs are typically dogs that have been abandoned or never had a home. Who better to connect with that feeling than the 118’s Buck, who has a fear of abandonment?

In fact, his speech to the dog when he tells him goodbye is very reminiscent of that. He might be upset with Eddie about what he said during his house showing (more on that later), but Buck makes a point to tell “Blaze” that he should appreciate the people who love him instead of leaving them because “you don’t know how hard that is on them.”

It is very pointed, and from the look on Hen’s face, she understands that Buck is truly feeling Eddie’s imminent departure more than anyone else on the team. 

Later, Buck asks Eddie if it would be okay for him to adopt another furry friend and keep it in Eddie’s house. Be still my heart.

Maddie Shows that the Buckley’s are Going Through IT

We are no strangers to Maddie getting emotionally involved in a caller’s situation. Hello, she’s been doing it since day one. 

However, this time it’s definitely much more intense and potentially dangerous for all involved. She does her best to find the missing girl and allow the kidnapper to be apprehended, but in the end, he ends up dead.

We all know without Maddie even saying, though she eventually does, that she’s not going to get over this any time soon. She is going to consider herself no better than a murderer because she basically convinced the guy to shoot himself instead of the girl.

While it does seem to be an open-and-shut case by the end of the episode, we need to talk about certain things throughout the episode that didn’t add up. These details make that ending scene all the more shocking!

From the moment Athena approached Richard’s ex-girlfriend, Isabel, I started to sense that things weren’t as cut-and-dry as a sleazy man kidnapping young girls. No, the woman gives a vibe that there might be more to it than just a one-man perpetrator.

In fact, for a bit, it seems like maybe Isabel is in on the whole thing. Considering Richard disappears from his known location very quickly after Athena gets it from her.

That said, even I couldn’t have predicted that Detective Amber Braeburn of Missing Persons would be the one involved. Then, it hits that the last time Maddie spoke to Richard, he brought up Jee Yun, which he couldn’t have known about without access to police-level knowledge.

All I know is she better be okay after this. Maddie’s already been kidnapped by her ex-husband. She doesn’t need any more trauma.

Eddie Says Good Bye and Flubs it with Buck

Okay, if we want to look at the whole picture regarding Eddie’s departure from a fair lens, we need to acknowledge that what Buck did was wrong, but so was what Eddie did.

Both of them are clearly hurting for different reasons. Sure, they start off the episode happy and cheerful about Eddie’s big move, but Buck is putting on a show, and Eddie doesn’t clock it at all.

So, naturally, when Eddie tries to show his house with Buck there to assist, things will go sideways. All in all, the whole escalation of the situation can be boiled down to they both need to sit down and talk things out. 

Should Buck have been listening in on Eddie’s comments to a potential subletter? No, but Eddie also shouldn’t have said he had no ties to LA.

Buck’s escalation of the situation at the firehouse by outing Eddie’s plans despite promising he wouldn’t is just a natural jealous response. Hello, we saw Buck have a similar response during 9-1-1 Season 7 Episode 4, “Buck, Bothered and Bewildered.” Are we really that surprised?

What makes this whole dance so fun to watch is knowing these two will make up as soon as they truly hash everything out. And, sure enough, they do.

On top of that, we need to acknowledge the giant feelings realization in the room regarding Buck.

It’s very clear from start to finish that this episode is all about Buck realizing that his connection to Eddie is more than just another member of the firehouse. This is someone he loves deeply and doesn’t want to be separated from.

And hey, we also love the exasperated twinkle in Eddie’s eye when he realizes that Buck is going to sublet his place. Either way, it’s good to see that Eddie is off to El Paso on a good note with everyone at the 118.

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9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.

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