The Buddie System: A 9-1-1 Yapathon

It’s fine, it’s cool, Eddie can tell a priest “I’m straight,” but we know the truth.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel take a thorough look at Eddie Diaz’s dating history with our rainbow glasses to spot the complex layers of queer coding!

Eddie famously says, “I hate being forced to date, feels like I have to perform,” in Season 6 Episode 14 of 9-1-1, “Performance Anxiety.” Buck and Hen are not the only people who raised their eyebrows at that statement, and luckily for you we do have time to unpack all that!

If y...

Buck and Eddie keep it 100 on the land, the sea, and the sky!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel dive into Taylor Swift’s latest album and dig into the lyrics of each song to explain why they’re all about Buddie, actually (romantic).

Join us on our journey through the album as we get pulled into the fire and take a look at how:

This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel are revisiting our Plot Device episode with an addendum focused entirely around Tommy’s return in Season 8 Episode 11 of 9-1-1, “Holy Mother of God.”

In our original special (listen here!) we discussed how Tommy’s role is to showcase Buck's journey of self-discovery and his coming to terms with his bisexuality. Well, we’re back in the building again, with Tommy existing solely to point out Buck’s glaringly obvious feelings for his best friend, and to scoff at the idea of Eddie being straight.

We look at 8x11 through...

“Here's to my future

Here's to my yesterday

Here's to change”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel check our privacy settings as we tackle Season 4 Episode 3 of 9-1-1, “Future Tense.” Eddie outs himself as a technophobe in the face of HILDY, Buck reveals his “new girlfriend” is actually just a new interest in taking care of his mental health, and Hen has to find a new level of zen to deal with her insensitive lab partner. Meanwhile, Maddie is spiraling over Buck going to therapy.

We discuss how Maddie’s trauma and cur...

“Can I sail through the changin' ocean tides?

Can I handle the seasons of my life?”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel do their best Stevie Nick’s impression as the Hollywood sign comes tumbling down, down, down in Season 4 Episode 2 of 9-1-1, “Alone Together.”

Buck and Chimney get in some extra brother-in-law bonding time (because living together wasn’t enough). Bobby shows up on his white horse… er medivac, to bring Athena back to solid ground. 

We explore Chimney and Athena’s opening arcs and how they continue to parallel as they...

“When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move”

Keep your feet on solid ground as Han, Cil, and Rachel slide right into Season 4 Episode 1 of 9-1-1, “The New Abnormal.”

We dive into how the real world changes at that time affected filming and the story including some overarching and recurring themes, then roll right into character analysis.

Athena and Chimney are paralleling each other and we discuss how the people they’re saving help teach them the lesson of pushing through their fears.

Buck and May are also p...

“Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you, I have been changed for good”

Put on your best pink or green because it’s time for our Season 3 Wrap! Han, Cil, and Rachel look back at Season 3 of 9-1-1 as a whole and discuss our favorite episodes and moments, new fears, overarching themes, ‘what-if’ scenarios, and more!

We award each main character their own hyper-specific superlative then break out our comedy elbows for a summary and character arc highlights for Hen and Karen, Josh, Chimney, Maddie, Ma...

“No, I'll stand my ground

Won't be turned around”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel welcome the return of Clipboard Buck as we discuss Season 9 Episode 6 of 9-1-1, “Family History.”

Check out our review of the episode, the first half of the season as a whole, and why we think this was a necessary closing of the Bobby Grief Chapter that started all the way back in 8x15.

We share our character highlights for Athena, May, Buck, Harry, Hen, Chimney, and Eddie as well as several season parallels as we usher in...

“And the old religion humming in your veins

Some animal instinct starting up again”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel wade through our tears to discuss Season 9 Episode 5 of 9-1-1, “Día de los Muertos.”

We start the episode off with our own review and some thoughts from our Mexican and Mexican-American listeners then we dive right into our favorite character moments for Athena, Ravi, Maddie, Harry, Buck, and the star of this episode: Eddie!

From deconstructing and reconstructing his religious trauma to giving the community theater performance of a lifetime...

“I will be chasing a starlight

Until the end of my life

I don't know if it's worth it anymore”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel really let go as we discuss two episodes of 9-1-1: Season 9 Episode 3 “The Sky is Falling” and Episode 4, “Reentry.”

Check out our review of both episodes to hear the long list of things they got right then dive into the character highlights with us to see how Hen, Karen, Athena, Chimney, Maddie, May, Harry, Buck, and Eddie are doing.

We explore the depth of Ath...

“You said you love me, and that's a fact

And then you left me, said you felt trapped

Well, some things you can explain away

But the heartache's in me 'til this day”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel go off the rails while we explore Season 3 Episode 18, the Season Finale of 9-1-1, “What’s Next?” where everyone but Buck gets a happy ending.

Josh confronts his attacker, Michael gets his cancer-free(ish) meet-cute redo, Maddie and Chimney are expecting, and Buck is getting the most unsatisfactory closure Amtrak cou...

Host Brian Luce sits down with David Eigenberg to talk about his unexpected path to

playing Christopher Herrmann, the behind-the-scenes camaraderie on Chicago Fire, and

the time he singed his eyebrows on set. The episode also features the LeFevours, the

legendary father-son stunt team, who share how they pull off some of the most

unforgettable stunts on Chicago Fire and Chicago Med.

You can watch this interview on the One Chicago YouTube channel, and check out the

season premieres of Chicago Med, Fire and P.D. Wednesday...

“And I think it's gonna be a long, long time 'til touchdown brings me 'round again to find I'm not the man they think I am at home. Oh, no, no, no I'm a rocket man.”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel brace for impact as we discuss two episodes of 9-1-1: Season 9 Episode 1, “Eat the Rich” and Episode 2, “Spiraling.”

Check out our review of both episodes to hear the long list of things they got right then dive into the character highlights with us to see how Hen, Karen, Athena, Chimney, Maddie, May, Harry, Ravi...

One way or another, I wanna get ya, I’ll get ya!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 3 Episode 17 of 9-1-1, “Powerless.” Karen is suspicious of Hen, Athena is tracking down the realtor rapist, and Josh is debating whether to make his statement in court. Super lighthearted stuff, amirite?

Maddie lends an ear and advice to Josh who’s struggling with moving on after The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1. 

Karen finds some breadcrumbs Hen leaves behind, leading her to daydrink with Chimney while they commiserate over Hen’s “double life.” We exp...

It's sad but it's true, Buck’s way too good at goodbyes.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel enter the emotional rollercoaster of Season 3 Episode 16 of 9-1-1, “The One That Got Away.” Buck is grappling with what he thinks is the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come, while Hen decides to take the survival rate of her patients into her own hands — literally!

The catalyst for Hen’s journey into becoming a doctor begins here when the hospital loses one of her patients because they don’t follow her medical advice. We discuss how this doesn’t...

Combat, Eddie’s ready for combat.

It’s finally time for Han, Cil, and Rachel to discuss an episode they know All Too Well, Season 3 Episode 15 of 9-1-1, “Eddie Begins.” So grab your poncho, hardhats, and oxygen tanks, because we’re going spelunking in Eddie’s psyche!

We dive deep (40 feet, to be exact!) into one of the best episodes of the show with thorough explorations of his tumultuous relationships with Shannon and his parents in the past, compared to the strong bonds and family he’s formed with the 118 in the present. And of course, at...

Ground Control to Major Tom!

Fasten your seatbelts as Han, Cil, and Rachel takeoff into orbit with our Season 9 Preview of 9-1-1!

We talk about what we know going into the season, what we’ve deduced to be likely from behind-the-scenes footage, and our own hopes for the Dia de Muertos episode. 

Brace for impact with us for a brand new season of 9-1-1 — now with 100% more space!

Episode Title inspired by “Space Oddity” by David Bowie

📔 Articles Quoted

📰 Exclusive first look at how 9-1-1 season 9 hon...

“Money don't grow on trees

I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed

There ain't nothing in this world for free”

Grab your best disguise and join Han, Cil, and Rachel as we jump into the getaway car exploring Season 3 Episode 14 of 9-1-1, “The Taking of Dispatch 9-1-1.” This week the men and women in the chairs become their own heroes!

We discuss the lofty art heist that takes over the 9-1-1 call center and the ripple effects it has on our favorite dispatchers and the greater...

It's true, swear, scout's honor. Chimney knew what he wanted and, boy, he got her!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel feel so high school as we discuss the Madney of it all in Season 3 Episode 13 of 9-1-1, “St—” we mean “Pinned.”

Michael’s brain tumor looms large over the Grant-Nash household, dampening what should be a celebratory college acceptance for May and a beloved father-son camping trip for Harry. We try to excavate Michael’s psyche to figure out just what the fuck he’s thinking, spoiler alert: we’re still baffled. We...

Josh: Do you laugh about me whenever I leave?

Eddie: Or do I just need more therapy?

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel are your jesters as we juggle the solemn solos in Season 3 Episode 12 of 9-1-1, “Fools.”

Josh is single, and after a dinner as a co-third-wheel with Buck, Maddie, and Chimney, he decides he’s ready to mingle again. What should have been a promising return to the playing field turns into a waking nightmare in a graveyard. We discuss how the traumatizing events shakes Josh’s confidence and trust in his o...

“You try your hardest to leave the past alone

This crooked posture is all you've ever known

It is the consequence of living in between

The weight of family and the pull of gravity”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel wade into the tumultuous daddy issues in Season 3 Episode 11 of 9-1-1, “Seize the Day,” where Chimney really “Bucks up” meeting his younger brother, Albert.

Nothing says “Happy Birthday” quite like Chimney’s father, who quite literally doesn’t say “Happy Birthday,” but instead alludes that he only has one son — ouch. We take a...

But it don’t snow here, it stays pretty green…

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel put on our buddie elf hats to chat about Season 3 Episode 10 of 9-1-1, “Christmas Spirit,” where everyone is having a very blue holiday.

Maddie goes over the river and through the woods to revisit the ghost of her Christmas past: Doug. We discuss how Frank’s prescription of immersive therapy to confront her biggest trauma marks a turning point in Maddie’s emotional turmoil, where she can finally let go of her guilt and truly move forward.

We break d...

“You can’t save someone from themselves, not of they don’t want it.”

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel step into the ring fence to take a swing at Season 3 Episode 9 of 9-1-1, “Fallout,” which starts and ends with therapy, we love to see it!

Hen comes out the other end healed, Maddie finally opens up about wanting to heal, and Eddie is… calling flirting with his best bro and playing video games “therapy.” You keep saying that word, but we don’t think it actually means what you think it means.

Bobby, ever the mart...

“Getting to know you, getting to feel free and easy when I’m with you.” 

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel temporarily put down the character analysis and get personal — about themselves and their 9-1-1 opinions.

After a year of diving deep into the wild world of 9-1-1, we realized we've been a bit mysterious — like, who is The Buddie System anyway? Ew. This episode is all about us: why we started a podcast, what it’s like to produce, and what makes us the trio you’ve come to love (or tolera...

Blah, blah, blah, proper name, place name, backstory stuff. We tried to talk around it, over it, and under it if you will, but this is exactly what it looks like: a sex scene.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel dissect the Bachelor Party from Season 7 Episode 6 of 9-1-1 frame by frame — from the not so subtle glances and bitchy comments to the body language and plethora of double entendres.

Eddie's entrance gives off serious Fonzie vibes leading into the hilariously awkward interactions between him and Tommy, who just can't seem to stop trying to...

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel dive into the sweet and slightly sticky world of "Juice Theory," where we unravel how Eddie indulges in (or denies himself) sweet treats as a metaphor for joy and repression. It's not just about the sugar rush; it reflects deep emotional layers, especially through Eddie’s journey in Season 8 of 9-1-1. 

We explore how he avoids his feelings, choosing water over juice, and navigate the complexities of Eddie’s character journey, especially as he grapples with his desires and the societal pressures that push him to deny himself happiness. From the i...

Hen and Eddie in this episode: I don’t know why I am the way I am.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel try to compute Season 3 Episode 8 of 9-1-1, “Malfunction,” where Hen's life is in full-on meltdown mode and Eddie is busy trying to gaslight himself around his grief. We dive into Hen and Eddie’s psyches and how grief can manifest in very different ways. 

Hen’s family is normally the rock upon which she stands, but the fallout of the IVF failure has destabilized her home life, and her attempts to maintain he...

I'll find you in the morning sun and when the night is new I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss the super uplifting contents of Season 3 Episode 7 of 9-1-1, “Athena Begins.” We dive into Athena's past as she confronts the resurfacing of a cold case linked to the tragic loss of her fiancé, Emmett.

Have you rewatched this episode since 8x15? No? Well, strap in folks, because that bittersweet ending is not so sweet anymore. We explore the not inconsequential number of parallels betwe...

What the people need is a way to make 'em smile!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel go on a musical interlude from our regularly scheduled programming to celebrate Han’s birthday with songs for Buddie Canon!

We each share a few songs we believe could elevate a scene to new emotional heights. Get ready to picture Eddie and Buck’s individual feelings realizations, their first kiss, and some bonus activities to the soundtrack of our dreams. 

We dissect why the tracks resonate with us and how they perfectly mirror the emotional journeys of ou...

Buck and Eddie walked into the kitchen like, “I’ma fight a man tonight.” 

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss the infamous kitchen fight from Season 8 Episode 17 of 9-1-1. Yes, you read that correctly, just that scene. Get comfortable, we’re talking about this less than 3 minute scene for almost 2 hours!

There’s nothing we love more than a good character deep dive, and this scene was too juicy to not savor properly in a full episode. Picture this: a kitchen, two bros buddies, and a whole lot of unresolved emotions flying around like confet...

Buck got the thing he wanted, it's just not what he imagined.

This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel enter the haunted house of Season 3 Episode 6 of 9-1-1, “Monsters,” where Buck is back working at the 118 feeling the icy reception, Maddie is on her vigilante shit again, and Bobby is back on his helicopter parent bullshit. Also, Chimney makes skeptical friends with a crow.

We explore how Maddie’s latest, but certainly not last, questionable antics walk the fine line between heroism and obsession. Is she a savior or a stalker? Spoiler alert: it’s a bit of...

Oh, the misery. Everybody wants to be Buck’s enemy.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 3 Episode 5 of 9-1-1, “Rage.” We run the emotional gamut from systemic high-stakes racial profiling to less dire grocery store domestic disputes.

The bad traffic stop with Michael, May, and Harry is one of the heavier, more nuanced things that the show has covered and we take a look at the heart of the storyline: how they have to operate differently in the world in order to stay safe, even from those who are supposed to serve and pr...

They aren’t angry at you, love, Bobby’s the greatest thing they’ve lost.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 8 of 9-1-1 — from beenado to baby Bobby. In this season wrap-up, we take a stroll down memory lane, reflecting on the transformation of our fire fam throughout Season 8. Each character’s arc felt like a journey through a maze — sometimes getting lost (off screen), sometimes finding the exit (bye Tommy), and sometimes just hitting dead ends (RIP Bobby Nash). 

We explore the thematic elements of sacrifice and growth, emphasizing the emotional stakes that m...

Even when Bobby’s body blows away, his soul will stay.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 8, Episode 17 “Don’t Drink the Water” and Episode 18 “Seismic Shifts” of 9-1-1, where we get to see our favorite characters navigating the messy aftermath of loss while trying to honor Bobby's legacy.

No surprise here, Buck and Eddie’s dynamic takes center stage in our conversation as they struggle to show vulnerability when they truly need each other the most. We also tap into the root cause of Buck’s decision to transfer: feeling unnecessary, and how this ref...

POV, you’re the 118: “My anxiety creeps inside of me, makes it hard to breathe, what’s come over me? Feels like I’m somebody else.”

This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel wade into the troubled waters of Season 3, Episode 4 of 9-1-1 “Triggers,” where trauma manifests in unexpected ways, especially in Maddie, Christopher, and Buck. Familial bonds are tested from father and son dynamics to past and future siblings, and not everyone comes out unscathed. 

We discuss how the 118 are acting more like co-workers than the found family we’ve grown to love. Bobby is digging himsel...

The 118 has never known a silence like the one fallen here, never watched their future darken in a single tear.

This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel begrudgingly—and not at all angrily— discuss 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 14 “Sick Day,” Episode 15 “Lab Rats,” and Episode 16 “The Last Alarm.” We’re diving into the emotional turmoil of the latest three episodes, exploring the poignant and gut-wrenching impact of Bobby's death on the characters and the audience. 

We share our thoughts on what worked, what didn’t, and how the “creative decisions” impact our viewing experience, especially when it comes to the depth of...

Holdin’ Buck’s shoulder ‘til their eyes meet, they won’t ever be alone.

This week Han, Cil, Rachel, and guest star Meg keep our love for Season 3, Episode 3 of 9-1-1, “The Searchers” in a photograph buried deep within our souls. We explore how the 118 finds their makeshift family amidst the chaos and navigate the tumultuous waters of Buck's psyche as he contends with his fears and perceived failures during this final installment of the tsunami crisis.

Buck's vulnerability shines through as he pushes himself to the brink, embodying the very definition of tenacity, even while d...

Don’t be, don’t be afraid, we promise Buck will keep Chris safe.

All aboard the fire engine life raft! Han, Cil, Rachel, and guest host Niki wade into the waters of Season 3 Episode 2 of 9-1-1 titled, “Sink or Swim.”

Buck is using his firefighter training again, but at what cost? May gets a taste of being a first responder as she helps keep a woman alive while Athena takes charge in a post mani-pedi pileup. Maddie is triaging dispatch and setting up a field hospital while the 118 (minus Buck) are saving lives and surf...

The universe is knocking Buck down and laughing while he cries, and we still don’t know how he even survives.

It’s here, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the Tsunami arc! GOATED. This week Han, Cil, and Rachel dive headfirst into Season 3 of 9-1-1 with Episode 1, “Kids Today.”

Bobby and Athena are enjoying their literal honeymoon period, Maddie and Chimney are getting serious, Hen and Karen are working on expanding their family… and then there’s Buck and Eddie. Eddie is partnerless and Buck is jobless, these two things are not related at...

Please don’t bring us to tears when we just did our podcast so nice. Heartbreak is one thing, your ego’s another, we beg you, don’t embarrass us, motherfucker.

This week Tim Minear interrupts your regularly scheduled programming and forces Han, Cil, and Rachel through the five stages of grief as we unpack the emotional wreckage left in the wake of Season 8, Episode 15 of 9-1-1, “Lab Rats.”

This isn't your typical episode; we’re tearing apart the emotional tapestry of the show and discussing why the character Bobby Nash might have met his untimely...

Don’t you know the 118’s still standing better than they ever did? Looking like true survivors, feeling like little kids.

This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel map out the emotional journey of all our favorite characters in Season 2 of 9-1-1! We explore how grief, loss, and trauma shape each character’s arc and how they cope with their pasts while trying to forge their futures. 

We highlight the clever parallels between different character’s storylines and how they reflect the overarching themes of ‘finding your path’ and ‘having each other’s backs’.

We discuss the im...

Duck and cover, because this week’s episode is explosive!

Han, Cil, and Rachel hit the ground running, leaving no stone or fire engine unturned in Season 2 Episode 18, of 9-1-1 “This Life We Choose.”

The dirt hasn’t even settled in Shannon’s grave when Eddie’s parents try to stage the world’s most inappropriate intervention. We tear into the astoundingly bad parenting and its effects on Eddie and how the life and family he chooses is his real support system. 

Bobby and Athena put their detective hats on at the beginning of th...

This ain’t L.A., ain’t no 118, but Eddie’s putting his foot down, down, down, down.

Han, Cil, and Rachel take a ride in Eddie’s Prius through Season 8, Episode 12 “Disconnected” and Episode 13 “Invisible” of 9–1 as we unpack the dynamics of finding your voice, feeling forgotten, and the weight of familial expectations.

The nightmare of Maddie’s kidnapping haunts her dreams and steals her voice. We explore how she navigates through this with the help of Chimney, Athena, and Jee.

Hen is feeling unimportant when everyone but Athena and Eddie forget her birthday. We tak...

Buck: No chance, no way, I won’t say it, no, no.

Us: You swoon, you sigh. Why deny it? Oh-oh.

Buck: It’s too cliché, I won’t say I’m in love.

This week your muses Han, Cil, and Rachel unpack Buck’s latest existential crisis—because Zeus knows he won’t. Season 8, Episode 11 of 9-1-1, “Holy Mother of God” struck a chord so loud we had to devote an entire special episode to it. 

We discuss the merits, or lack thereof, when it comes to redeeming parents as Bobby’s “holy mot...

We’re sorry, Shannon can’t come to the phone right now. Why? Oh, cus’ she’s dead!

This week, hosts Han, Cil, and Rachel bid farewell to Shannon Diaz and say hello to Eddie’s rose-colored glasses. “I guess she was the love of your life.” “I guess she was?” Oh, we’re so sure.

Get in losers, we’re discussing Season 2 Episode 17 of 9-1-1, “Careful What You Wish For” and unpacking the tangled web of relationships, expectations, and the harsh realities of life that hit harder than a runaway vehicle at a crosswalk. 

This epi...

Buck doesn’t want to argue, but he doesn’t want to bite his tongue, he’d rather die.

Abandonment Issues McGee™️ is back at it again, leading to communication failures, subconscious sabotage, and some seriously awkward moments that left us cringing and laughing.

This week we’re hauling ourselves headfirst into the theme of platonic friendship versus whatever the fuck these two are doing, highlighting how Buck and Eddie's dynamic has never been normal, not even for a minute. Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 8, Episode 9 “Sob Stories” and Episode 10 “Voices” where Maddie goes through an actual ho...

Bobby just can’t face himself alone again.

Have you ever had your heartstrings pulled so tight that you thought they might snap? This week we are thrown into the emotional whirlwind of Season 2, Episode 16 of 9-1-1 "Bobby Begins Again," where Bobby Nash’s past collides with his present. 

From the harrowing fire that changed his life to the stark reality of his new beginning in Los Angeles, we get an intimate look at the man under the helmet. 

Han, Cil, and Rachel analyze the themes of grief, guilt, redemption, the quest for fo...

Get ready to flip your perspective because this episode of 9-1-1 is a real gem!

This week we dive into the hilariously chaotic world of Season 2, Episode 15 'Ocean's 9-1-1', where the 118 are a distraction, and the real heist is our sanity! Bobby and the gang are accused of being part of a plot that spirals out of control, and let’s just say, the detectives in this episode are as incompetent as they come!

We’re all about The Buddie System here (lol), and with Hen in the hot seat facing some seri...

Ever had a character in a show that just makes you scream, “Why are you even here?”

Plot twist: It’s all about Buddie. 

Tommy Kinard is the ultimate MacGuffin of the 9-1-1 universe, and we’re going to hold your hand while we break down this plot device! In this week’s episode, Han, Cil, and Rachel explore the intricacies of narrative devices through the lens of Tommy’s character – or lack thereof. With less depth than a kiddie pool, Tommy’s role is to showcase Buck's journey of self-discovery and his coming to terms with his...

A falling star fell from Eddie’s heart and landed in Buck’s eyes.

Have you ever wondered what the stars have to say about Buddie? Well, grab your cosmic popcorn because we’re diving deep into the stardust of the universe! 

In this special episode Han, Cil, and Rachel are guided by our celestial sage, Chrissy (@kithmet) joining us to unravel the star-crossed mysteries surrounding our favorite 9-1-1 duo. 

As we dissect their personalities through the lens of astrology, we uncover the intricate dance of their relationship, exploring themes of emotional vulnerab...

I say, “Can you believe it?” as we’re lying on the couch, “the Buddie canon we can see it, yes, yes, we can see it now!”

This week Couch Theory takes center stage as Han, Cil, and Rachel take you on a whimsical journey through the concept that has captured the imagination of Buddie fans since Season 6.

From the couch that symbolizes relationships to the chair that represents his newfound independence, we unravel how Buck's choices (or lack thereof) reflect his emotional journey.  In a trademark iconic moment, Christopher points out Buck's lack of a couch, si...

How do you go back to basics and move forward at the same time? Why, grow sideways, of course!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel break down Season 2 Episode 14 of 9-1-1, “Broken.” Dispatch’s CAD system is down for the count, intrinsically transporting our first responders back to the 1900’s—where all they had were paper maps, a weird-ass white board system, and an encyclopedic knowledge of the L.A. grid system.

Maddie and Chimney are recovering from the aftermath of “the Doug of it all” and trying to get back to normal with mixed results...

And then he ran into her knife. He ran into her knife ten times.

Close enough, welcome back Maddie Begins! This week Han, Cil, and Rachel do our best Cell Block Tango into Season 2 Episode 13 of 9-1-1, “Fight or Flight.” Maddie is back in her own personal horror movie: abducted by the abusive spouse she fled, all alone with no one and nothing to support or help her, and losing the hope she rekindled after her marriage snuffed it out.

Meanwhile, Buck and Athena dispatch themselves on the case, which is lucky because the dete...

Welcome to the Chimney Farewell Tour, where all of his worst memories flash inside his mind!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel open up the floo and slide right into Season 2 Episode 12 of 9-1-1,  “Chimney Begins.” Take a trip with us into Chimney’s brain to relive some of his most defining moments in becoming a firefighter paramedic — from finding his calling at karaoke night to overcoming adversity at Gerrard’s 118 and discovering a passion for being a helper and a healer. 

We learn about Chimney’s upbringing, most notably his non-traditional family in the Lees and t...

What if Eddie rolls the stone away? They’re gonna crucify him anyway.

We stand before our fellow members of The Tortured Buddies Department once again with a summary of our findings:

Waltz into the rekindled flames of our second installment of The Tortured Poets Department where we ring in the New Year with some good old fashioned seasonal depression. Han, Cil, a...

Eddie should’ve been sent away, but they forgot to come and get him.

We stand before our fellow members of The Tortured Buddies Department with a summary of our findings:

Eddie loves Buck, it’s ruining his life.

Buck is fresh out the slammer, but Eddie is leaving him safe and stranded.

Eddie’s packing his life away to wait out the shitstorm back in Texas.

Get ready for our first deep dive into the emotional landscape of The Tortured Poets Department, where we bring you great tidings of gri...

When it comes to being lucky, she’s cursed! When it comes to loving her, Doug’s the worst.

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel wade into the shark infested waters of 9-1-1’s Season 2 Episode 11, “New Beginnings.” Athena and Maddie are following their instincts in critical situations, proving they can trust their gut feelings, unlike Chimney who now has a lot of them—the stabby stabby variety.

We discuss how Maddie's storyline illustrates the journey to reclaim her narrative in order to overcome past trauma and embrace new beginnings. In other words, she’s thirty, flir...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas… Eddie’s troubles are zero miles away.

You can count on us as we take a shiny red-nosed dive into the type of emotional roller coaster that only seems to happen around the holidays in Season 2, Episode 10 of 9-1-1, "Merry Ex-mas!" Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss how this episode intertwines heartwarming but complicated reunions with overcoming the fear of opening yourself up to new beginnings.

We explore what it means to come home for Christmas, not just in a physical sense but emotionally as well — like how Eddie grappl...

Chris has been stayin’ at Eddie’s parent’s house, and the Texan real estate looks real good now?

Welcome back to December, where there’s not a lot going on right now, but somehow our faves are still going thru it™!

This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel dive deep into the layered complexities of Buck and Eddie’s friendship, exploring the weight of abandonment issues, running in the opposite direction of self-acceptance, and the echo of unrealized feelings in the Diaz Kitchen. We sift through a plethora of parallels, analyze the significance of baking, the familial...

Dear Reader (Listener), ‘tis the damn season for our first-ever holiday special! 

We bet you think about how Taylor Swift's discography perfectly aligns with the emotional tapestry of your favorite 9-1-1 characters. If you’re a cowboy like us, you’ve surely made the Swiftification connection between Taylor and Tim Minear’s masterminds. In this episode, Han Cil, and Rachel embark on a whimsical journey to assign 11 iconic Taylor albums to our favorite first responders based on vibes, character stories, and a sprinkle of pure chaos. From Buck’s emotional turmoil to Maddie’s endless resilience, we see right...

We heard there’s a special place where boys and girls can drink their juice every single day. This week Han, Cil, and Rachel confess our headcanons, speculations, and educated wishes about Season 8 of 9-1-1, focusing on episodes 8x04 “No Place Like Home,” 8x05 “Masks,” and 8x06 “Confessions.” Buck-le up for a full hour of Buck, Eddie, and Buddie, respectively! (No, that’s not a typo.)

Peeling back the layers of Eddie’s queer-coded arc, as far back as Season 7, all the way to his meet cute with Father Brian (aka Hot Priest™), we revel in Eddie starting to un...

Oh, Henrietta Wilson, the woman that you are. We definitely see you!

This week Han, Cil, and Rachel flock together to discuss Hen's journey from a corporate job to the firefighting world and how that symbolizes a quest for purpose and authenticity. We unpack the toxic dynamics at the 118 under Captain Gerrard, where hazing and discrimination run rampant, contrasting it with the supportive, family-like atmosphere that Bobby brings to the team. 

Hen's character embodies the struggles faced by women, particularly queer women of color as they navigate their careers in fields rife w...

Classic ‘Buck luck’ strikes again! This week Cil, Han, Rachel, and special guest host, Meg from Bed, Wed, or Behead Pod delve into the emotional chaos of 9-1-1's Season 2, Episode 8 "Buck, Actually." 

As Buck flounders through his feelings we unpack how his romantic missteps mirror those of the couples he encounters, emphasizing the importance of emotional intimacy and self-acceptance—and boy, does he have a ways to go on that journey.

With a lineup of calls that tug at the heartstrings we explore themes of second chances, the importance of being seen, and how som...

In the wise words of Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar, “You forgive, you forget, but you never let it… go!”

This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel investigate the eerie emotional landscape of Season 2, Episode 7 of 9-1-1, “Haunted,” where the specters of past relationships loom large. We dissect the complexities of Eddie's and Buck's situations, illustrating how both men grapple with their ghosts — Eddie with the return of his estranged wife, Shannon, and Buck with the emotional fallout of his relationship with Abby. Both men are faced with the choice to lay their past to rest or resurrect it...

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a…bee-nado?! Get ready for takeoff with Buddie System Airlines with Han, Cil, and Rachel on an insightful journey as we nosedive into the thrilling first three episodes of Season 8 of 9-1-1! 

In the first installment of our Special Edition episodes covering Season 8 as it airs, we explore the emotional arcs of our beloved characters, focusing on their growth and struggles amid high-stakes emergencies, including the unforgettable bee-nado.

Through all the twisters and turns, mustaches and meta, we focus on how the characters’ storylines are set up...

Lucy in the sky with diamonds…okay maybe it’s just Bobby on the roof of the station with brownies! This week, Cil, Rachel, and Han take a trip into the psyches of the 118 in Season 2, Episode 6 of 9-1-1, “Dosed.” Bobby and Buck are under the influence of seeing what they want, rather than what’s actually there– whether that’s a lost loved one among the clouds, or earnest interest where there’s manipulation.

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twitter

Some folks are liars, 🤥 and pathetic, 🙄 and alone in life, 🧍 and all they’re ever going to be is mean—but it takes a special kind of person to be able to help them in their time of need, and have full restraint to not say 💥 “get wrecked!” 

Season 2, Episode 5 of 9-1-1, “Awful People” has Cil, Rachel, and Han exploring what makes someone become so awful and whether or in what circumstances characters like this can be redeemed. 

When Maddie and Hen are faced with literally life-altering choices, will they stay the course of the ☀️ Light...

Help, Buck's still at the restaurant, still 🪑 sitting in a corner (of Abby's apartment) he haunts while everybody moves on...

In Season 2, Episode 4 of 9-1-1, “Stuck,” Buddies Han, Cil, and Rachel unlock how the Fire Fam are ⛓️‍💥 breaking free of their ruts and journeying towards 🧠 self-actualization with the help of their support systems.

But while Buck may be spinning his own wheels 🛞 when it comes to his relationship 💔 with Abby, he puts Bobby’s advice from last season to good use by being the catalyst that helps Eddie get "unstuck." 

Articles Mentio...

Hen feels the sky tumbling down, tumbling down! This week, Han, Cil, and Rachel feel the aftershocks of Hen in danger, and the rest of the 118 diving back into the rubble to help one of their own in Season 2, Episode 3 of 9-1-1, “Help is Not Coming.” We put our keen and penetrating minds to the task of exploring Buck and Eddie’s developing partnership and how they both feel heard without having to say a word.

Articles Mentioned:

‘9-1-1’ Production Designer Tackles Fiery Plane Crash, Ballroom Collapse & Tiger Attack With Season 1. Deadline

‘9-1-1’...

If the hotel is a-rockin’, the 118 come a-knockin’! In Season 2, Episode 2 of 9-1-1, “7.1,” Han, Cil, and Rachel explore how our fire fam compartmentalize and work together in our first major natural disaster arc. Buck may be the only person more excited than us to catch the first glimpse of Eddie’s personal layers — his dad-sona! 

Articles Mentioned:

TV Ratings: ‘9-1-1’ Season 2 Premiere Hits Highs, Variety

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twit...

A sultry slow-mo introduction to a new character set to an iconic Salt-N-Pepa song? Lives were changed – at least ours were!

The wait is finally over, join Han, Cil, and Rachel as we catch up with the 118 and meet THE Man, the Myth, the Legend, Eddie Diaz in Season 2, Episode 1 of 9-1-1, “Under Pressure”!

Articles Mentioned:

FOX Sets Fall Premiere for 9-1-1’s Second Season, (TVLine) (Deadline)

Jennifer Love Hewitt Joins the Cast for 9-1-1 Season 2, (Variety) (TVLine)

‘9-1-1’: Ryan Guzman Joins Fox Drama As Firefighter...

See ya later, Abbygator! This week we bid so long, farewell, and bye bye bye to Season 1 of 9-1-1. Han, Cil, and Rachel talk character arc highlights, big-picture themes, parallels and more. Walk with us through Marvel-style “What If” scenarios as we ponder the butterfly effect and what would have happened if one small thing were different.

Articles Mentioned:

Ryan Murphy Says ‘9-1-1’ Was Inspired by Real-Life Family Emergency, Variety

‘9-1-1’ Showrunner Tim Minear Signs 20th Century Fox TV Deal, Variety

Follow...

He was sunshine, she was midnight rain—all of Abby changes like midnight in Season 1, Episode 10 of 9-1-1, “A Whole New You.” In this episode Cilla, Han, and Rachel discuss Hen’s identity crisis, the team’s lack of faith in Buck, and how Athena and Bobby start a new chapter in their lives. Join us as we figure out which characters know who they are, and which are looking to step into the light!

Article Mentioned:

911: Why Did Connie Britton Leave the Show?, The Direct

Follow us on social media for updates an...

*Record Scratch* *Freeze Frame* “Yep, that's me. You're probably wondering how I got here.” ...Is probably what each member of our Fire Fam is asking themselves in Season 1, Episode 9 of 9-1-1, “Trapped.” This week, Rachel, Cil, and Han discuss the psychological confinement our favorite characters find themselves in. Athena may be the sole freebird of the bunch, eat your heart out Freddie Mercury!

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Watch The Budd...

Well if it isn’t the consequences of Hen’s own actions! This week Cil, Han, and Rachel discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of karma we see in Season 1, Episode 8 of 9-1-1. Sometimes karma’s the breeze in your hair on the weekend and sometimes it’s your ex suing for custody, and sometimes, just sometimes folks, karma’s a real bitch.

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Watch...

Did you know the Buck Moon was named after 9-1-1’s very own? ...Okay maybe it only is in our hearts, but the rest is true! This week Han, Cil, and Rachel reflect on the chaos a full moon can bring (or enable?) in Season 1, Episode 7 of 9-1-1, “Full Moon (Creepy AF).” We orbit around the parallels between Hen & Eva and Buck & Abby, and the magic of birth in its many forms.

Resources Mentioned:

Werewolves as a Metaphor for Domestic Abusers, The Public Medievalist

Follow us on social media for updates and mo...

Ah, the perfect Valentine's Day setup: candles lit, gentle tunes, and the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked bread…what could possibly go a-rye?! It’s not all cinnamon rolls and puff pastries in Season 1, Episode 6  of 9-1-1, “Heartbreaker.”

Han, Cil, and Rachel chew over characters’ disillusionments of love, stale relationships, and Buck and Abby’s infamously terrible first date.

Are they a batch made in heaven, or is their relationship toast before it gets a chance to fully rise?

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @bud...

Hero origin stories are never happy and Bobby Nash is no exception to the rule. Han, Cil, and Rachel are Up, Up, and Away discussing how the events of Season 1, Episode 5 of 9-1-1: “Point of Origin,” shake up Bobby and Hen’s foundations and analyze the developments in Abby and Buck’s situationship. Tune in as we explore the caped crusaders of the 118 and the men (and woman) behind the masks!

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twitter

Instag...

🚨 This week on The Buddie System, Han, Cil, and Rachel 🏊‍♀️ dive into Season 1, Episode 4 of 9-1-1: “Worst Day Ever.”

We 🚣‍♂️ sink our teeth 🦷 into the series’ first large scale catastrophe, and how it affects and unmoors Captain Bobby Nash. 🫡

⏲ TIMESTAMPS ⌚

00:00:00 - Welcome to Dispatch/Intro

02:17:00 - Who's Cookin'

01:06:07 - Where's the Fire

01:22:02 - Flashover

01:30:27 - Jaws of Life

01:42:43 - Slow Burn

📺 ABOUT OUR CHANNEL 📺

We’re three friends here to uncover the surprising depths of the network dramedy 9-1-1—a procedural show t...

🚨 On this special edition of The Buddie System, Han, Cil, and Rachel are fired up about the conclusion of 9-1-1’s seventh season! We share our first experiences watching a 9-1-1 season finale as it aired in real time, and our initial reflections of Season 7 as a whole—focusing on the characters’ season-long arcs and big picture concepts sprinkled throughout. 🌧

The buddies have a blast discussing Buddie, Buck's bi-awakening, and Eddie's glass closet. We talk about the importance of Buck's arc this season and its impact on pop culture as a whole. Eddie's illicit affairs are dissecte...

This week on The Buddie System, Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 1, Episode 3 of 9-1-1: “Next of Kin.” We delve into how our Fire Fam handles an emergency when it impacts one of their own. Prepare thyself for Supernatural references a-plenty (it’s the rebar of it all)!

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episod...

This week on The Buddie System, Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 1, Episode 2 of 9-1-1: “Let Go.”

We consider how deeply Buck’s first major loss on a call affects him and his burgeoning relationships with the 118 and Abby, both professionally and personally. As the title of this episode establishes, we also delve into the various representations of “letting go” and what they mean for our cast of characters.

This week’s episode covers some serious topics seen in the show including attempted suicide and sexual misconduct. Please take care of yourself and your mental healt...

Welcome to The Buddie System! This week our journey begins as Han, Cil, and Rachel discuss Season 1, Episode 1 of 9-1-1: “Pilot.” We explore how each character introduction offers brief windows of insight to cleverly and quickly clue us in as to who these first responders are and how their character journeys are set up from the very beginning.

Follow us on social media for updates and more from your Buddies!

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

TikTok

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and...

Welcome Buddies!

We are super excited to announce our brand new 9-1-1 podcast! Come join us as we rewatch 9-1-1 from the very beginning. We will be doing a close meta-analysis of every episode and keeping an eye out on that incendiary fun!

Tune in to our trailer to learn more about the show and our three great hosts—Cilla, Han, and Rachel!