The thing about 9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 10 “Handle with Care” is that sometimes, with this show, it feels like even when parts of the episode work, there’s a deep disconnect in what the show is doing, what fans want it to do, and what it should actually be doing to, you know, make sense. And of course, the second and third of those things don’t always coincide. But it’s hard to think of a show that does such a great job of avoiding the third one as 9-1-1 does.
First, we had the Bobby decision, which was first painted as a way to add “stakes” to a show that we more or less enjoyed because of the fact that we were very sure we could invest without losing a main character. To add insult to injury, we got very uneven and sometimes nonsensical reactions to said death. Including this latest Hen storyline, which might have some basis in reality, but was never presented to us as something Henrietta Wilson, in particular, would do.
But in this episode, there’s also… Eddie’s entire character arc, compounded, it seems. What does Eddie Diaz want out of life, outside of his work and Chris? You’d think eight seasons in, and two seasons since he broke up with his last romantic love interest, we’d have an answer. But it seems like all we know is that everyone knows Eddie Diaz is capable of pulling any woman, and he remains as interested in actually having a relationship with them as he is in watching paint dry.
Can I trust that means something? I don’t know. I’m running a little low in benefit of the doubt here. And that, of course, is the problem.
MORE: Is Eddie Diaz gay? The question is valid.
EDDIE DIAZ
RYAN GUZMAN, KENNETH CHOI
At this point, I don’t even know what to write about Eddie Diaz. Do I think the show has given us a mountain of subtext about his sexuality? Yes. Do I think they’re doing it on purpose? At this point, when every other possibility continues to amount to nothing, and the show keeps not doing anything to end the speculation once and for all? Yes. Do I believe they intend to pay it off? Eh, that’s where I’m not so sure. Or, hey, maybe they will in like, the last episode of the series, when they don’t actually have to deal with it.
That’s the thing about Eddie, as much as the show still has a chance to take his storyline further, it’s had plenty of chances to prove that this character is 100% straight. I’m not even talking about his relationship with Buck here and what I might or might not want to see happen in a romantic sense. I’m talking about Eddie as a character who has been queer-coded from the start and who continues to react in very peculiar ways when people even suggest he date women.
All we see in this episode is him worried about Abigail, a kid, and bringing in Alex was just that. Eddie being worried. Everything else about calling this beautiful woman flew way over his head. Why? Well, who knows? The show probably doesn’t! It’s just setup for Chris to be in danger! Not even for Eddie to explore his relationship with religion, nah. That’d be too deep. Just trauma for Chris for the sake of trauma!
That’s the thing, though, this hour doesn’t actually get us any closer to answers about Eddie, which is a problem. At some point, soon, the show either has to deliver some answers or accept that, as audiences, we can no longer stick around and continue to hope for something 9-1-1 is either unable or unwilling to give us. It’s 2026, and this isn’t a “choose your own adventure” kinda story. If he is queer, you have to show me. If he isn’t, you have to show me, and give me some other storyline for him that makes sense. Because I’m tired of the continued conversation.
MORE: We’ve been saying it’s time for Buddie for a while.
HARRY GRANT
ELIJAH M. COOPER, OLIVER STARK
In a way, having Harry at the 118 was a no-brainer, but I kind of appreciate that the show did take a moment to then consider the issues with having Harry in the 118, particularly for Chimney. Because it is, indeed, a lot of pressure for a man who already feels responsible for Bobby’s death to also place Harry in his care. Because how can he look Athena in the face if something happens to Harry? How can he get up in the morning?
Of course, Harry is a grown man, and Chimney is not responsible for his actions. But common sense doesn’t enter into what Chimney is worrying about. Logic is not invited to this party. And yet, what else can we do for our children, for the people we love, than trust them to make their own decisions, even if it sometimes feels like trusting them to take care of themselves is impossible?
Chimney isn’t doing Harry any favors by coddling him. Harry needs to learn. That’s what will make him safer. And he can’t do that from inside the firehouse. Even if stepping outside is scary… for both Harry and Chimeney. But that’s life. It’s never going to be completely safe. We still have to live it.
MORE: Remember when 9-1-1 killed Bobby Nash because “realism”? We’re still mad.
Things I think I think:
- It was giving dream from the beginning.
- Buck and Eddie’s joint looks of confusion, lol. They had an entire conversation without saying anything.
- “Protecting him from himself is my full-time job.”
- “Aren’t you a very angry man, firefighter Diaz?”
- “How did you do it?”/”Learn to be less angry?”
- THERAPY INDEED.
- “Having friends and family helps.”
- Abigail is breaking my heart.
- Family is, indeed, the people you choose. I wish lately 9-1-1 was showing me this instead of telling me, but yeah.
- Okay, but faith-based housing for the girl who just escaped a cult? Eeeeh… not judging you, Alex, but at least side-eyeing you.
- Also, again, great setup to deal with Eddie’s issues with religion AND his parents, but why do the thing that makes sense?
- The Athena storyline with the dad and the son was kinda fun, but in a “why am I wasting time in this?” kinda way.
- Someone does need to talk to Chim.
- Hen is looking so much better!
- “Probie puppy dog eyes.”
- Chris being a little sassy gives me joy.
- How did Abigail get Eddie’s address?!!?!
- Eddie, ambushed by two kids. And looking supremely uncomfortable that anyone could suggest he wants to date a … woman?
- But that probably means nothing, right?
- Abigail, you’re a kid, and he’s a grown-ass man. A very pretty one, but a grown ass man. It’s a good thing he’s looking at you like you’re a kid, because you ARE.
- Yes, blame Bucky, Harry.
- “You’re not the problem, kid. I am.”
- Harry is so happy to be working hard, it’s hilarious.
- And they all delegated talking to Chimeny to Hen, which tracks.
- More Maddie and Chimney scenes!
- Bobby’s knife. That we’d never seen! I’m not crying, you are.
- I mean, jk and not because it is a nice moment, but I had never once seen that knife in my life.
- “He would have been so proud of you.”
- WE ALL WISH HE WAS HERE, HARRY.
- The “he is” sentiment is nice, but meh.
- Christopher, what are you doing? Stranger danger!!!!!! YOU’RE TOO OLD FOR THIS.
- If your dad was sending someone, it would be like… Buck.
- Also, that promo was cruel. Putting Chris in danger. For shame, 9-1-1. For shame.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of 9-1-1 Season 9, Episode 10 ‘Handle with Care’? Share with us in the comments below! Check out our Tales From the 118 podcast if you also want to listen to our reviews. On Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Plus, if you want to leave your own rating/comment about the show, you can do so in our 9-1-1 hub!
9-1-1 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.
