It’s been a very long time coming (effectively, since earlier in 9-1-1 Season 8), however Eddie Diaz touched down in Texas throughout 9-1-1 Season 8 Episode 12, sparking a brand new chapter within the story of the adorned Military vet and devoted father.
Leaving Los Angeles and the life he constructed wasn’t a simple resolution, however Eddie knew that he needed to repair the connection along with his son, Christopher, and if that meant uprooting his life, then he would just do that.
Settling into Texas proved to be tougher than he imagined, and when he couldn’t land a firefighter job in his hometown, he turned a full-time rideshare driver, which he ultimately excelled at. However there was one massive downside along with his new job: he was mendacity to his household about it.
When Christopher and his buddy dialed up Eddie’s new Toyota Prius to snag a trip, Eddie discovered himself confronting his lie and feeling like he had as soon as once more let down his son.
This season has been a whirlwind for the elder Diaz, who struggled with Christopher’s absence and is now embarking on this new journey in a well-known place however at a complete new place in his life.
It was a giant episode for Eddie, and we needed to speak about it with the at all times considerate and beneficiant Ryan Guzman, who was a delight and broke down Eddie’s mindset and what we will count on to see developing.
Try this enjoyable and enlightening dialog under.
Eddie’s transfer to Texas has been within the works for a number of episodes now, however seeing him start once more in Texas looks like such a giant second for his character and journey. How have you ever felt in regards to the storyline and beginning this new chapter in Eddie’s journey?
I’ve been wanting ahead to it personally as a result of there’s a lot concerned in it. And I believe one of many scariest issues that you are able to do from being separated from your loved ones for thus lengthy is to return to the household dynamic and see how one can reintegrate. [Laughs]
I believe that’s relatable to many people in our private lives. So, understanding that he’s not coming to a son who’s going to be outright welcoming him, and that there’s a little bit of rigidity based mostly on what occurred in season seven.
He’s bought loads that he must work on to be accepted, so to say, by his personal son and to essentially step into that fatherhood function.
In the course of the episode, Eddie decides to deceive Christopher and his dad and mom about getting the firefighter job.
How lengthy do you assume he was ready to maintain that ruse going? He was pushed by not eager to disappoint Christopher, however do you assume the rest was at play in his decision-making?
Most likely till he may purchase his truck again. That’s in all probability it. [Laughs]
I don’t know. We all know that Eddie tends to fib a bit and bend the reality to maneuver round his actuality. However at this level, he was so embarrassed about the truth that he was not in a position to be part of the El Paso fireplace division that it appeared like he was lower than.
And that he can’t make it work out right here like he may in L.A. And that’s the very last thing he needs to point out his household and the very last thing he needs to emulate for his son.
So he felt a bit like a failure, and that drove him to lie and perform the lie for who is aware of how lengthy till he ended up getting caught, clearly. When he will get caught, it’s simply an overflow—an amazing quantity of feelings that really feel once more, like when he bought caught with the ghost of his lifeless ex-wife.
So it’s like he simply can’t get it proper, regardless of how a lot he tries to be concerned in Christopher’s life and do the correct factor. He simply can’t get it proper.
Is he beginning to perceive extra that he received’t at all times get it proper and to not beat himself up as a lot, or do you assume that’s nonetheless one thing he’s fighting?
I believe now he’s bought such a security web in Buck and his 118 household as a result of, I imply, even going out for the job in El Paso, it’s Bobby saying at any time when he needs a job, he’s the most effective candidate you may have.
He’s seeing that he’s bought assist from the household he curated in L.A., and he’s dealing with these obstacles loads in a different way.
He’s completed a lot inner work. We’ve seen him be self-destructive in so many alternative variations of himself. He’s the battle membership model of Eddie, doing that, and getting locked up in jail for a bit.
Eddie needed to undergo all these various things to ultimately be the person who determined to slap on some underwear and dance like Tom Cruise. [Laughs]
So, many issues have helped Eddie enable himself to like himself, and now he’s dealing with these new obstacles with much more ease. The perimeters aren’t as sharp anymore. He’s rounded them off. He’s taken on this function slightly — to not say straightforward, however simpler.
On the finish of the episode, Eddie and Christopher speak, and Eddie is relieved that his son needs him to stay round. However it felt like that was simply step one to strengthening their relationship.
What do you assume Eddie might want to do transferring ahead to proceed to restore that dynamic?
Now, it’s simply exhibiting up. You simply gotta carry on exhibiting up. And I take that from my very own private experiences. Simply being there in your child is half the battle.
Being an grownup, you get pulled in so many alternative instructions, and you must prioritize work, the home, and your individual relationships.
However on the similar time, when you simply present up in your baby with the intent to information your baby in the correct route and set up a deeper reference to them, I believe all of it falls in alignment.
And that’s what Eddie’s doing with Christopher.
He’s like, “Look, I’ve accepted my life in El Paso. I’ll transfer anyplace for you, buddy, and I’ll do any sort of job even when it requires me giving up a solidified and really prestigious job as a firefighter and turning into an Uber driver; I’ll do it for you, buddy.”
So, the proof is within the pudding, and he’s main by instance; if he continues this route, I really feel like Christopher will decide up on that and actually enable for Eddie to be again in his life, and because the father he’s at all times wished.
This was the 118th episode of 911, which may be very thrilling. Since becoming a member of the collection in season two, we’ve seen Eddie undergo a lot and study and develop.
However what have you ever personally realized about Eddie this season that maybe you didn’t know when the collection started?
Oh, man, that’s an excellent query.
Over the course of seven years, I didn’t notice how jovial, comedic, and lighthearted Eddie was.
You recognize, that was one thing new. After I first bought the character, it felt militant, you realize, an all-American perfection is the purpose sort of ambiance.
He does what he must do for the workforce. He places himself final, and over this course of seven years, we’ve seen that every one change in the most effective methods, you realize?
We’ve seen him must lean on different people when he couldn’t care for himself. We’ve seen him deceive himself to an extent the place different individuals needed to name him out, and he has to come clean with his personal fact. And there are such a lot of totally different evolutions of Eddie now.
It’s a really favored character. Even with the obstacles, he’s dealing with them in a different way and permitting extra levity in his life.
How essential do you assume it’s for Eddie to have someone like Buck, who he’s in a position to name throughout this episode when he’s struggling, and to know that he has unwavering assist from his finest buddy?
That’s all the things. I shout out to my finest buddies. Like I attempted for the longest time to do issues — that is simply me personally — issues alone, considering that you must be a lone warrior. A survive, undergo in silence sort of particular person, which does go hand in hand with Eddie.
However figuring out that there’s a security web round you and never only a security web however a sounding board, it’s simply the subsequent layer of life.
It permits for a lot development and the power to stability these concepts and points.
And with Buck, he’s giving him stable recommendation and saying, “Simply present up. Be there for him. You’re not on the market to be the most effective Uber driver. You’re not on the market to be the most effective firefighter. You’re on the market to be the most effective father.”
So, sound recommendation. And it’s one thing so easy that you just assume, “Oh, effectively, why didn’t I consider that?” It’s since you couldn’t get outta your individual head, and also you do want a person like this finest buddy in entrance of you to try this. I believe that’s all the things to Eddie.
Are you able to inform us something about what’s in retailer for Eddie as the remainder of the season unfolds?
Sure. I’ll say that Eddie could have a lot development in these subsequent couple of episodes, however then he’s additionally going to be examined and have one thing deliver him again to the old-school Eddie.
And we are going to see if he has realized something during the last seven years and if he’s making use of it, or if he’s gonna return and keep reserved and return to how we first met him.
Previously, you’ve spoken about similarities between your self and Eddie, and also you talked about it at this time, however how do you assume you’d do when you have been a rideshare driver? Do you’d excel in the best way that Eddie was in a position to excel?
I’d have a tough time not speaking to individuals, for positive. [Laughs]. I’m very talkative. I don’t know if I’d do nice.
Particularly handing over my good truck for a Prius, like no disresgard to the Prius, all love. However I believe I’d do first rate. You recognize, I’d get 5 stars.
5 stars?
Possibly, you realize, arrange the towelettes, mints, and all the things. Make all people really feel good and cozy in my automobile. [Laughs]
We’ve edited this interview for size and readability.
We’re very invested in Eddie’s storyline and excited to see what’s coming subsequent because the season progresses. What about you?
How are you feeling in regards to the route of Eddie’s story?
Tell us all of your ideas within the feedback under.
You’ll be able to watch 9-1-1 on ABC at 8/7c on Thursdays.
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