“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 martyr, almost became The Incredible Hulk after a slight overexposure to some radioactive waste, oopsie! We examine how Buck is much worry and his deep love and care for Bobby is reflected in that.

We discuss Athena and May butting heads over her college admissions essay, and how they come to understand and support each other despite their differing viewpoints.

Last, but certainly not least, we find ourselves voyeurs in the kitchen as we deep dive into the homoeroticism of suggestively goading your friend boy to get half-naked and pummel you.

Grab your belt buckles and get ready to “take on” the scene that even Oliver Stark has dubbed “Super Gay!”

Give him that title.

📔 Articles Mentioned

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Star Aisha Hinds Says Hen Is ‘Assuming All Responsibility’ for That Horrific Accident, The Wrap

📰 9-1-1‘s Aisha Hinds Weighs In on the Fallout From Hen’s Traumatic Ordeal: ‘It’s Something That Will Stay With Her’, TV Line

🎧 Oliver & Aisha on Smith Sisters Live Podcast

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The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:54) Welcome to Dispatch

(00:03:16) General Thoughts

(00:09:01) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive

(00:13:17) Production & Behind the Scenes

(00:18:47) Needle Drop - Music Analysis

(00:21:29) Red String Corner

(00:25:33) Foreshadowing & Parallels

(00:28:37) Flashover - Themes

(00:36:21) Where’s the Fire? - Scene Dissection: Eddie, Maddie, & Hen in Therapy Montage

(00:55:04) Who’s Cookin’? - Character Analysis

(00:55:24) Hen

(01:08:03)...

“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 tolerate). So, settle in for story time as we share our personal anecdotes like how we started watching 9-1-1, and why we became obsessed with those two charming firefighters, Buck and Eddie.

And thanks to our amazing listener Jill (@right_writer_), we’ve got some great questions lined up to guide the convo, because honestly, we can talk about ourselves for hours but don’t know where to start.

So, whether you’re here for the inside scoop or just want to laugh along with us, we promise this episode is packed with Buddie System lore and good vibes. Join us as we celebrate a year of podcasting with our best buddies!

Episode Title inspired by "Getting to Know You" from the “The King and I” by Rodgers and Hammerstein

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The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY

Chapters

(00:00:00) Get to Know Your Buddies! - Intro

(00:02:52) About the Podcast

(00:03:00) How and Why Started Watching 9-1-1

(00:16:31) Why a 9-1-1 Podcast?

(00:23:39) Our 9-1-1 Personal Opinions

(00:28:13) Why Are We So Obsessed with Buddie?

(00:32:37) What is the Best Eddie A-Plot?

(00:34:39) What is the Best Buck A-Plot?

(00:36:51) Lighting Strike Round

(00:43:28) About the Buddies!

(00:48:28) Best Piece of Advice We’ve Received

(00:51:30) Our Hidden Talents

(00:54:05) Bucket List Items

(00:57:29) Outro & Take a Buddie With You

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 mark Buck as their territory. We navigate the subtext of the apparent love triangle, the palpable tension, and the underlying homoeroticism that saturates the scene.

We share our thoughts on the symbolism hidden throughout the night, from the costumes to the food, and how it all ties back to the characters' evolving dynamics. As the drinks flow and the karaoke gets rowdy, we explore the deeper themes of jealousy, love, and the undeniable bond and electric chemistry shared between Buck and Eddie.

The pinnacle of the Bachelor Party is the hotel montage that gives Wade and Logan in the Honda Odyssey a run for its money. We look at the blocking, cinematography, and editing choices that put together what is undeniably a not-so-thinly-veiled sex scene, complete with champagne orgasms.

Pick your poison and get those hangover cures ready because you’re in for a wet, wild, and for some reason feathery ride!

Episode Title inspired by “What I Like About You” by The New Romantics

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The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:40) Celebration - Chimney’s 80s Karaoke Bachelor Party

(00:03:11) Get The Party Started - Buck, Eddie, & Tommy

(00:19:52) This is How We Do It - Hen, Karen, & Ravi Arrive

(00:31:42) Whoop There It Is - Buck & Eddie at Karaoke

(00:39:45) Hotel Motel Holiday Inn - Buck & Eddie Let Loose

(00:58:02) Last Friday Night (TGIF) - The Morning After

(01:07:20) Don’t Stop the Music - Unhinged Reflections

(01:14:40) Take a Buddie With You & Outro

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 infamous meet-cute with a hot priest to the sweet baked goods that symbolize connections with Buck, we’re linking all the delicious dots.

So, grab your favorite sweet treat and join us as we chew on these juicy themes and serve up some delicious queer coding analysis!

📔 References Mentioned

🐤 Behind the Scenes Photos On the Set of 8x05 Masks, rguzmanHQ on Twitter

Episode Title inspired by “Too Sweet” by Hozier

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

Support us on Patreon or Ko-Fi for perks and extra content like access to our exclusive Discord, Fire Fam Chats, New 9-1-1 Episode Livestreams, and more!

The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by DIV!NITY

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:52) Welcome to the Juice Bar

(00:01:41) What’s on the Menu - Juice Theory 101

(00:04:21) Fruit Leather & Cupcakes - 8x01

(00:09:45) Ring Pop & Glazed Donut - 8x05

(00:21:40) Juice, Water, & Joy - 8x06

(00:27:24) Buck’s Baking Spiral Commences - 8x07

(00:31:30) Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies - 8x10

(00:35:53) El Paso Coffee & Energy Drinks - 8x12

(00:40:13) Helena Diaz’s Sugar-Free Groceries - 8x13

(00:47:05) The Last Hurrah’s Crumpet - 8x16

(00:52:46) Avoidance Coffee & Tia Pepa’s Cooking - 8x17

(00:57:48) Just Desserts - Juice Theory Beyond Season 8

(01:02:08) Take a Buddie With You & Outro

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 her usual composure at work are visibly unsteady. Hen and Karen’s relationship is strained with the heavy weight of grief, making them both feel alone even when they’re together. We reflect on Hen’s struggle with compartmentalizing, a skill she usually excels at, as it’s thoroughly tested, leading to an emotional crescendo with the ambulance crash that leaves us questioning how far one can go before breaking down completely.

Meanwhile, we explore Eddie’s no good, very bad choices, particularly the reckless behavior as he grapples with the aftermath of Shannon's death, the tsunami, and not being able to talk to Buck. His misguided attempts to beat his thoughts and feelings into submission via illegal fights reveals a pattern of self harm, destruction, and punishment. What he really needs and longs for is a deeper connection and to be understood, but he isolates himself in his own pain instead.

We applaud the intricate use of sound design and cinematography in the episode, particularly the fights and ambulance crash, where it helps create a visceral experience that brings the audience right into the characters’ inner worlds.

This episode has us discussing how unexpected tragedies can alter characters' trajectories, with Hen's emotional breakdown paralleling Eddie's impulsive decisions and the consequences that follow. They both try to scrape themselves off the pavement, but they’re not quite strong enough yet.

📔 Articles Mentioned

📰 Ryan Guzman: Eddie Diaz of ‘9-1-1’, Faith, Loss, & Filing Forward (Full Episode), Zach Sang Show on YouTube

📰 Yo-Yo Ma on how Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 gives us all the code to rebuild after disruption and tragedy, Classic fm

📰 What’s that tear-jerking string music in The Last of Us?, Classic fm

Episode Title inspired by “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius

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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 between her quest for closure with Emmett and the emotional aftermath of Bobby’s death in Season 8. As she navigates the deluge of memories and unresolved feelings, we see her grappling with the desire for justice and her career, her relationship with her mother and extended family, and the expectations everyone places on her.

Through flashbacks, we see young Athena, vibrant and full of hope as she embarks on her journey in law school, contrasting sharply with the heavy burden she carries as an adult (2 dead loves of her life and 1 gay ex-husband later). We examine the road Athena takes from law school to the police academy, inspired after her meet-cute with Emmett on her college campus. Their story would almost pass for a rom-com if we didn’t know about the tragic ending going into it. We dissect the scene where Beatrice tries to control Athena’s life and how this juxtaposes with the mother we saw depicted in the rest of the flashbacks prior to Emmett’s death. Ah, there’s the Beatrice we know and barely tolerate.

In the present we follow Athena’s search for closure, not just for herself but for Emmett's mother. When she finds Dennis Jenkins, she is forced to face her assumptions about the “monster” who killed her fiancé. At the end of the journey, we see Athena finally break down and let Bobby support her, physically and emotionally.

Here’s a fun idea, listen to this episode, then watch 8x01, 8x02, 8x03, and then 8x16. Let us know if you can breathe through the tears!

📔 Articles Mentioned

📰 ‘9-1-1’s Angela Bassett Teases Athena’s Origin Story Episode, TV Insider

📰 9-1-1‘s Angela Bassett Talks Athena’s ‘Surprising’ Origin Story, Including How She Helped Cast Her Younger Self, TV Line

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Star Angela Bassett on Athena’s ‘Messy’ Romantic Backstory, Future With Bobby, The Wrap

Episode Title inspired by “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Billie Holiday

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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 our boys. From deep, soulful ballads that tug at your heartstrings to upbeat anthems that get you pumped up, we analyze how each song choice can enhance a scene's impact.

We also touch on the idea of fan edits and how they can create a new narrative with just the right soundtrack.

By the end, we hope to leave you with a playlist that not only complements our discussions but also resonates with your own experiences with these characters. Do like The Doobie Brothers do and listen to the music, all the time!

🎶Check out our Songs for Buddie Canon Companion Playlist and listen along!

📔 References Mentioned

🎼 Listen to the Music • Songs for Buddie Canon • Our Episode Companion Playlist

🐤 Eddie’s “gold rush” eyes tweet, quoted by ircnshield, original by eddiecnvs on Twitter

🎶 Hozier - Do I Wanna Know (Arctic Monkeys COver in the BBC Live Lounge), on YouTube

🎞️ Cil’s Dean & Castiel || I Want to Love You edit to Neptune, by ircnshieldedits on YouTube

🎞️ “peace” Buddie Parallel edit, by thehumforever on Twitter

🎞️ “Talk” Buck and Eddie edit, by makaylasalena on TikTok

Episode Title inspired by “Listen to the Music” by The Doobie Brothers

We are @buddiesystempod everywhere:

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Watch The Buddie System podcast episodes and our live reactions to the most recent 9-1-1 episodes on YouTube!

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The Buddie System is a Nerdvergent Media production.

Music by

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 confetti at a party nobody wanted to attend.

We thoroughly dissect this 'kitchen divorce' scene, where our dear friends Buck and Eddie are not just fighting over groceries — they’re wrestling with their feelings, insecurities, and the weight of their shared history. We’re peeling back the layers, one passive-aggressive statement at a time. Buck’s handling his grief in the most Eddie Diaz way — conceal don’t feel, while Eddie’s unsuccessfully doing his best Buck cosplay to conquer his worst enemy — talking about his emotions.

Buck and Eddie are about as close as two best friends can get, but when it comes to emotional honesty, it’s like they’re playing a game of dodgeball with their feelings. We break down how every grimace, eyebrow furrow, glance, and pause speaks volumes — more than the words themselves. As they circle each other like two heavyweight boxers, you can feel the tension crackling in the air.

We take a closer look at how the cinematography adds another layer, like the handheld camera work that immerses the audience in the scene, making us feel as though we are unwilling witnesses to this intimate exchange. The kitchen, a place usually filled with warmth and comfort, turns into a battleground of unspoken words and unresolved issues, with both characters warring with their own demons while trying to connect with each other.

The dialogue is rich with nuance that we explore, from Buck’s bratty remarks hiding a deeper pain to Eddie’s defensiveness masking his desperation for connection, all of which reflect their struggles as they navigate the complexities of their relationship. Buck, who is usually the emotional rock, finds himself stumbling over his words, feeling invalidated and misunderstood, while Eddie grapples with his own guilt and the fear of not being there for the people he loves in their darkest moments. It’s a poignant reminder of how grief can fracture connections and how communication, or the lack thereof, can create walls between even the closest of friends.

So grab your snacks, maybe doordash some dinner (not sponsored, but hey, could be!), and let’s get into this pressure cooker of emotions, misunderstandings, and a whole lot of "what were they thinking?" because honestly, it’s a knock-down, drag-out fight you won't want to miss!

Episode Title inspired by “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna

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