'9-1-1' Season 8, Episode 8 "Wannabes": A Filler Episode with Heart and Hope

The episode kicks off with the crew watching Brad’s TV show Hotshots. At first, I wasn’t sure if the show was poking fun at how over-the-top 9-1-1 can be, but Brad’s storyline just isn’t working for me anymore. I know the show has its usual wild, dramatic moments, but something about his character feels too one-dimensional now. To quote my favorite Keke Palmer, “Sorry to this man,” but I’m ready for him to move on from this show.

Next, we catch up with Eddie, who’s calling Christopher. I’m starting to feel old—Christopher has grown so much, and his voice is now deeper than Eddie’s! Seriously, time flies, and I’m left wondering how Eddie and the audience missed so much of his life. And since when did he get into chess? Also, I couldn't help but feel a little sad for Eddie. It’s clear Christopher doesn’t have any intentions of coming home, and you can feel Eddie’s sense of loss and confusion in those moments. It's tough seeing him struggle with that.

Meanwhile, Athena gets a wild case involving a YouTuber who stops people from abandoning their shopping carts. Honestly, at first, I thought this was a bit of a silly premise. But then, the YouTuber gets assaulted, and I was hooked. It was great to see Romero back working alongside Athena—he brings such a grounded energy to the show. Together, they unravel the mystery behind the attack, and I found myself really invested in the case. I wasn’t expecting the store employee to be the criminal, especially learning he had skipped parole. It was a chaotic, messy situation that perfectly mirrored the show’s knack for combining the absurd with the serious. On a more emotional note, the YouTuber ended up alone in the hospital but Athena helping him get a job at the grocery store was a nice touch.

Then, we get to the car pile-up call, and Brad makes a huge mistake by removing a victim from the wreckage before the team has assessed her. I was frustrated with him at first because it felt like a rookie mistake, and Bobby lets him know that it’s not okay to act without thinking. But after a heart-to-heart between Eddie and Brad, I softened up. It was nice to hear Brad open up about his past—leaving England and his son for a failed pilot. He actually gave some really good advice to Eddie: “Don’t let the gap grow another inch.” I think that hit home for both of them, and it made me appreciate Brad a little more. I’m still not fully sold on him, but at least now I can see his vulnerability and why he’s still around.

What really won me over, though, was when Brad stepped up to help a suicidal man who was also a fan of Hotshots. It felt like a redemption arc for Brad, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional. He genuinely saved a life, and that moment showed me there’s more to him than just the over-the-top celebrity persona. When Brad's character wakes up from his coma and gives the team small roles on his show, it was a sweet, lighthearted way to wrap up his storyline. It also made me realize how much 9-1-1 balances these intense, life-or-death moments with more personal, sometimes humorous touches. It’s what keeps me coming back week after week.

Then, we reach the big emotional moment: Eddie’s decision to move to El Paso to be with Christopher. Buck is incredibly supportive, but you can see the weight of the situation on his face. I couldn’t help but feel for Buck in that moment. He’s lost his boyfriend, and now his best friend is leaving too. If he couldn’t stop baking before, how is he going to cope now? Honestly, I don’t think Eddie is really going to leave. Some part of me believes that, through some miracle, Christopher will move back, and Eddie will stay. At least, I’m holding onto that hope. It’s just hard to imagine this team without the dynamic that Eddie, Buck, and the others have.

And speaking of things that feel off, am I the only one who noticed that Bobby and Athena haven’t had any scenes together lately? They’ve always been such a strong pairing, both on and off the job, and I miss seeing them interact. Also, where was Maddie? I’m not loving the absence of these key characters, and I hope it doesn’t become a recurring issue.

Overall, this episode felt like filler to me. It wasn’t as action-packed as I expected, especially for a fall finale. It was definitely slower and less intense than usual, and I ended up feeling a little disconnected from the usual energy of the show. But I’m hoping that when 9-1-1 returns from the break, we’ll get back to the heart-pounding, emotionally charged episodes we know and love. I guess I’ll be waiting eagerly for the next one—because, despite this episode’s lull, 9-1-1 has always had a way of pulling me back in.