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 the heart of all of it: Christopher. Enjoy metaphors about Eddie’s rebirth of sorts, and dragging Eddie’s parents through the mud!

Stoking the fires of our Buck and Eddie slow burn section is easy work this week as we compare their partnership and equally having each other’s backs to how Eddie and Shannon were never able to do so. We break down Buck’s Lassie-coded meltdown, the implications of the rest of the topside 118 handling him with spouse gloves, and Buck being the other half of Eddie’s guiding force back to life. After all, Eddie’s not alone — he’s got Christopher and Buck steadfastly at his side to help him hold on to who he wants to be!

Eddie’s been the archer

He’s been the prey

Who could ever leave him, darling? (Shannon)

But who could stay? (Buck)

Episode Title inspired by “The Archer” by Taylor Swift

📔 Articles Quoted

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Star Ryan Guzman on Eddie’s ‘Dark History’ and ‘Evolution’ of Love for Christopher, The Wrap

📰 9-1-1‘s Ryan Guzman Reflects on Eddie’s Painful Past, Uncertain Future, TV Line

📰 ‘9-1-1’s Ryan Guzman on Eddie’s New Missions & Opening up to the 118, TV Insider

📰 9-1-1's Ryan Guzman Breaks Down Eddie's Close Call: 'The Real Hero of the Story Is Christopher', TV Guide

📰 ‘9-1-1’ Chief Says Old Character Will Make ‘Very Exciting’ Return Soon – and It ‘Might’ Be Connie Britton’s Abby, The Wrap

🎬 The Difference Between 'Story By,' 'Screenplay By,' and 'Written By', No Film School

🏅 History of the Silver Star Medal, Home of Heroes

🎨 Fanworks Mentioned

📖 three., by Buddieaya, on Archive of Our Own

📖 six., Sequel to three., by Buddieaya, on Archive of Our Own

📈 Frequency of How Often Buck and Eddie Say Each Others’ Names, jackwhiteprophetic on tumblr

🎧 Cosmic Love (Buddie Astrology), Episode by The Buddie System (hey that’s us! 😉), on Spotify and YouTube

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Music by DIV!NITY 

Chapters

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:00:54) Welcome to Dispatch

(00:02:02) General Thoughts - It’s the Eddie System!

(00:11:00) Jaws of Life - Deep Dive 

(00:25:26) Production & Behind the Scenes

(00:37:42) Needle Drop - Music Analysis

(00:44:35) Red String & Buckapedia Corner

(00:55:56) Eddie’s Rebirth Metaphor

(01:03:09) Flashover - Episode Themes

(01:21:23) Who’s Cookin’? - Eddie Begins! And Christopher’s Birth

(01:31:49) Eddie’s Relationship to Shannon’s Mom vs Helena & Ramon

(01:42:02) Chris Asks Eddie to Show & Tell the Silver Star

(01:54:47) Re-Enlistment Argument with Shannon Flashback

(02:01:16) Eddie & Shannon’s Can’t Communication Their Needs

(02:11:29) Eddie Cuts His Line in the Well

(02:20:15) Video Call & Chopper Crash Flashback - Eddie’s Element is Chaos

(02:34:55) Eddie is Capable of Partnership But Not with Shannon

(02:46:25) Eddie’s Welcome Home with the Diazes Flashback

(02:54:27) Eddie & Shannon’s Argument Warzone

(03:14:45) The Well Collapses

(03:22:24) Where’s the Fire? - Helena & Ramon Talk to Eddie Flashback - Scene Dissection

(03:35:12) Eddie Breaking Generational Cycles

(03:46:58) “Don’t Bring Him Down with You”

(03:57:21) Eddie’s Drowning Montage & Shot-by-Shot Breakdown

(04:12:08) Buck Running Through Eddie’s Mind Rent-Free

(04:17:45) Bi Buck, Eddie Queer Coding, & Buddie Watch

(04:27:05) Buddie’s Arguments in 3x06 & 8x17 vs Eddie & Shannon’s

(04:46:53) Buck’s Meltdown & POV of the Well Collapse

(04:56:40) 118 Treating Buck with Spouse Gloves

(05:02:44) Eddie Collapses Like Buck in 3x03

(05:08:39) Take a Buddie with You & Outro