The first half of 9-1-1 season 8 concludes with a rescue-heavy episode that

sees Brad be the hero he portrays in Hotshots, talking a man off the ledge. “Wannabes”

wraps up several of its immediate plotlines, but drops a major cliffhanger moments

before the credits roll. After learning that Christopher is in a chess club, Eddie decides that he’s done missing out on the big moments. Buck catches him looking at houses for sale, and the firefighter confesses that he might move to Texas to be closer to his son. Christopher has always been Eddie’s top priority, so the desire to put him first isn’t surprising. However, when a show is eight seasons in, it can often be difficult to tell if a story is meant to drive the plot or signify an impending cast exit. When speaking with ScreenRant, 9-1-1 showrunner Tim Minear addresses the purpose of the fall finale’s cliffhanger and what it means for Ryan Guzman’s character. Check out what he had to say below:

As stated by Ryan Guzman, Eddie has spent his entire existence doing what’s best for those around him. He feels pressured to act like the perfect soldier and to continue on the path he’s been pushed down. Despite the difficulties of having a child at a young age, and eventually, becoming a single father, Christopher has never once been presented as anything less than a blessing.

Eddie’s son gives him purpose and allows him to find joy amidst everything he’s been through. When Christopher left for Texas in the 9-1-1 season 7 finale, it felt like the firefighter’s beating heart walked out the door. However, the absence does force Eddie to look inward and begin to discover who he is without any outside influences. The journey is ongoing, but “Confessions” sees him experience a much-needed moment of happiness while reenacting Tom Cruise’s iconic Risky Business scene.

While Eddie still has a lot of work to do, Christopher has been away for an extensive period of time. If he can’t convince his son to come home, Eddie’s natural response would be to go to the Lone Star State. His inclination to leave also further opens the door for a fan-favorite storyline, as a lingering shot implies that Buck is shaken by the prospect of losing him. Regardless of what comes of it, the plot is organic and provides plenty of possibilities for the narrative to explore when 9-1-1 returns.