9-1-1 Season 9 Episode 13 ‘Mother’s Boy‘ is the kind of episode that gives you a sense of déjà vu. We’ve been here before, haven’t we? A couple of times, even. No, more than a couple. Because I look at this episode and think that, although there wasn’t even a clear sign that Buddie is happening or a timeframe for a possible romance between Buck and Eddie, it’s also the kind of episode that leaves you thinking: how is this not leading to Buddie?
To be clear, we’ve asked that question before. We’ve had that sense before. In fact, I distinctly remember this same feeling after watching Season 8, Episode 11 ‘Holy Mother of God’, and it’s been over a season since then. Still no Buddie. Still no clear sign that Buddie is happening. Or, no love declaration or Eddie coming out of the closet. Because there are signs. Signs are everywhere. We’re in the movie Signs, at this point.
And what is that thing they say? Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern. This is a pattern now. A very clear one.
MORE: Need a refresher of last week’s 9-1-1? Read our review for “Dads and Cads” here.
THE PROCEDURAL STANDARD
The thing about Buck and Eddie this episode is that they’re giving classic procedural will-they/won’t-they. I would know, I’m a veteran of the genre. Think Bones and Booth. Think Castle and Beckett. Go back, think Mulder and Scully. And then look at their dynamic this episode and tell me it doesn’t remind you of them. From their little spat at the diner to the way they lock in afterwards and fight to get back together, to just the way they look at each other and talk to each other… It’s giving romance. It’s giving a couple.
But not just that, it’s giving inevitable. And I know I’ve talked about this before. I’ve long felt that the show has kinda written itself into a corner with Buck and Eddie, whether intentionally or unintentionally. At this point, who else could they bring in for either of them that would make sense? Hell, the setup for Tommy was great for Buck, and not only did that not last, but it ended with Tommy basically implying that Buck was in love with Eddie and that Eddie was not straight.
Yeah, remember that insanity?
‘Mother’s Boy’ isn’t that level of wild, but it is a different level of “what is happening here?” No one’s outwardly saying anything about Buck and Eddie… unless you know, you want to count the wild assumption that they’re a couple, which is how it all starts… but they’re still behaving in a way that feels very pointed. The tropes of the genre exist for a reason. And all procedurals know them. It’s not just the old ones I mentioned; look at High Potential. They’re setting up their will they/won’t they exactly like this.
Why? Because it works. And since 9-1-1 is doing the same, they can’t expect me to think there’s anything going on here other than romance.
MORE: We’ve been saying it’s time for Buddie for a while.
COUPLE-CODED EVERYTHING
From the general tropes to the specifics of everything they’re doing, Buck and Eddie are incredibly couple-coded in ‘Mother’s Boy.’ Don’t ask me what it is about their behavior that is giving this, ask the people who confuse them for a couple! And it’s a long list, including the people at the diner, the sheriff, the deputy, and basically everyone who comes into contact with them.
No, you can ask me. I shall tell you.
It starts with the road trip montage before they get to the diner, because I’m going to be very honest, there are very few people I’d want to be on a 30-hour road trip with. In fact, there’s one. And I married him. But Buck and Eddie start out very happy about the chance to spend all these hours together in an enclosed space, and then move on to the couple’s spat portion of the show. Because what they’re having is literally a couple’s spat. Down to the fact that neither of them is actually taking it as seriously as people around them do.
They even apologize to each other as soon as they get in the car!
But it doesn’t even end there. Then we get Eddie breaking out of a hospital to help Buck, and Buck freaking out as soon as he comes around and Eddie isn’t there. Buck pleading with Bonnie to let Eddie go; he’ll do anything. Eddie literally walking forward, even with a gun pointed at him, because Buck’s in danger. And then running to Buck, worried. In slow motion! With that background music! All of it played with so much relief and genuine care for each other. It’s no wonder people clocked them. We’ve been here for almost eight years. It’s just that now, it’s starting to feel real.
MORE: Is Eddie Diaz gay? The question is valid. And we might even need to update the article at this point.
Things I think I think:
- Eddie, you look like crap.
- “I didn’t forget Hen’s birthday last year.”
- Lol, “I think I lost Buck.”
- Look, 30 hours in a car isn’t fun, no matter who you’re with.
- Dorky dancing, lol.
- They actually like each other very much, because this montage is hilarious. You truly gotta like someone for this road trip.
- Also, “Carry On My Wayward Son”? Truly?
- “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
- This silly fight is my favorite thing, truly. It’s giving grumpy/sunshine, and I love it so much. It’s not a real fight, it’s just… two people who are comfortable with each other.
- “Besides, you get cranky when you don’t eat.”
- “Your kind”
- Princess?
- Totally normal thing, to have them fight in a way that would have people confusing them for a couple.
- Happens to all friends. Right? Right?
- Look, people thought you were a couple because you were acting like a couple.
- Eddie’s face when he hears there was no one in the car with him.
- The implication that the nickname Buck means something. I mean, the sheriff’s wife has a nickname for him!
- Very heavy-handed, 9-1-1.
- At least Maddie is appropriately worried. The only other person who is this worried is… Eddie. Probably means nothing.
- “Where’s Eddie?” Yeah, same thing for both.
- Eddie is literally going to sneak out of the hospital, right?
- Athena defending Eddie on the phone was good.
- Eddie didn’t need much convincing. If anything, he wanted permission to do the thing he was planning to do anyway.
- Proud of Eddie’s resourcefulness, first a horse, then the car?
- Almost, Buck. Almost.
- He did do the same for you, Maddie. But you’re not gonna get there in time. Eddie’s got him.
- “Sometimes I don’t know who I am without him.” I’m not crying, Buck.
- Is this a pep talk, Buck? It’s not a great one.
- “You can’t let him. Please. He has a son.”
- “I’ll do anything. I’ll be Derek. Just convince him to leave.”
- Buck, you’re killing me here. Killing me.
- He’s literally putting Chris first, this is a fanfic, I’ve read it. Or many fanfics.
- OMG, Buck’s “hey Eddie.”
- Eddie running to Buck. The joking. I’M NOT OKAY.
- Also, the music? This is not platonic music.
- Truly loved the parts with Maddie too. Her reaction felt real.
- Lol, the final moment of the two of them getting into the car was hilarious.
- THE SONG AGAIN?
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of for 9-1-1 Season 9, Episode 13 ‘Mother’s Boy’? 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.
