9-1-1season 8 put the main ensemble through traumas and triumphs, but LAFD Station 118’s future is brimming with possibilities. Since the procedural’s 2018 premiere, the heart of9-1-1has been a found familywith a universal father figure at the helm: Captain Bobby Nash (Peter Krause). Alongside his wife, police sergeant Athena Grant (Angela Bassett), Bobby brought his team together with love and care that extends far beyond professional courtesy. AfterBobby’s shocking death in9-1-1season 8, episode 15, it seemed as though the family he spent years creating would die with him.
Luckily, the9-1-1season 8 finaleconfirmed that Bobby’s death, while crushing, will bring the 118 closer than ever. The surviving firefighters— Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark), Howard “Chimney” Han (Kenneth Choi), Henrietta “Hen” Wilson (Aisha HInds), Ravi Panikkar (Anirudh Pisharody), and Eddie Diaz (Ryan Guzman)— were on the brink of drifting apart in the closing moments of9-1-1season 8, but Chimney’s extemporaneous speech rallied the crew together with one clear reminder: Bobby built their team, and they can’t just throw that away.To preserve Bobby’s legacy, the 118 has to stick together— including one massively underrated character.
Ravi Joined The 118 As Eddie’s Replacement In 9-1-1 Season 8
The Former Probie Moved To The A-Shift
Ironically, the 118 was fragmented long before Bobby’s death. Eddie spent the first half of9-1-1season 8 struggling to live away from Christopher (Gavin McHugh). The tension mounted in9-1-1’s midseason finale, when Eddie revealed he was planning on moving to Texas. After the firefighter takes the leap,Ravi steps in to fill the vacancy that Eddie left in the 118’s A-Shift. Throughout his shifts in9-1-1season 8, episode 11, however, it’s clear the transition was anything but smooth. Bobby calls him“Eddie”on multiple occasions, and Buck only reaches out to take his mind off Eddie.
By the season finale, Buck and Ravi have found their footing at work and display impressive synergy during 9-1-1 season 8, episode 18’s major emergency— a 19-story building that’s slowly collapsing. Interim captain Gerrard (Brian Thompson) even views the two as a unit, referring to them as the“pretty boys”while giving orders. When Buck and Ravi find themselves in a precarious situation, Eddie suddenly arrives to lend a hand. Buck’s former partner had returned for Bobby’s funeral, but he planned to return to Texas immediately. Yet,9-1-1season 8, episode 18’s endingflips this idea on its head.
If Chimney Becomes Captain, Eddie’s Return Will Be As A Paramedic
The Entire Team Dynamic Will Be Overhauled
Even with Eddie’s imminent return to LAFD station 118, there will likely be many significant changes come9-1-1season 9. Following Bobby’s death, the captaincy of the 118 remains vacant, with Hen most recently turning down the Fire Chief’s promotion. Who would beBobby’s replacement in9-1-1was uncertain, with some even wondering if a character like Buck would skip a few rungs on the ladder for the sake of an exciting storyline.9-1-1season 8, episode 18 suggests a more fitting alternative:Chimney, the most tenured member of station 118, seems primed to be the captainnext season.
Eddie and Hen temporarily worked together as the 118’s paramedics in9-1-1season 5 (“Peer Pressure”), due to Chimney leaving LA in search of Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt).
Since Chimney and Hen have been the 118’s paramedic duo since the series began, that leaves a significant gap in the team. Fortunately, due to Eddie’s past as an army medic, he would fit right in rather than force9-1-1to introduce an entirely new character to be Hen’s partner. Beyond being logical,Eddie transitioning to paramedic work would expand his horizonsand deepen his friendship with Hen, which is rarely seen in9-1-1. Additionally, having a familiar face fill the paramedic position would make it an easier transition for both the audience and the characters themselves.
With Eddie’s New Role, Ravi Can Stay Buck’s Partner In 9-1-1 Season 9
Every Surviving Character Can Stay On The Main Team
If Eddie joins Hen on the medical side of things, that leaves Ravi to stay on the 118’s A-Shift and deepen his bond with Buck. Though Ravi and Buck were on fine terms when Ravi was first introduced (9-1-1season 4), the former“probie”(probationary fire) took a sabbatical and didn’t have much screen time following the9-1-1season 6 finale. Upon Ravi’s sudden return in “Holy Mother of God,” it was obvious that there was nothing substantial remaining between him and Buck. Ravi even admits that Buck’s pranks and miscellaneous hazing during his probationary period left a poor impression.
All episodes of9-1-1are streaming on Hulu.
AlthoughBuck and Eddie’s partnership in9-1-1has been an iconic aspect of the first-responder drama since it began in season 2,Buck and Ravi teaming up offers a new dynamicto explore and develop. There’s no animosity between them, but there’s no chemistry or meaningful attachment beyond mere acquaintanceship. Working together in close proximity, however, would force Buck and Ravi to get to know each other better, building their friendship and bringing Ravi more firmly into the fold. Admittedly, it would be a big shake-up for the 118, but it may be exactly what9-1-1needs.
Why Ravi Deserves To Stay With The 118 Despite Eddie’s Return
The Young Blood Is 9-1-1’s Future
Ravi staying with the main characters is the best move logistically, but it’s also the breath of fresh air9-1-1needs ahead of its ninth season. In many ways,Ravi is a blank slate that9-1-1can useto refine its formula. Some of9-1-1’s best episodeshave been deep-dives into characters’ backstories, and Ravi would benefit from the exposition just as much as the procedural would benefit from the nostalgic return to form. A “Ravi Begins” episode would help propel the show forward at a pivotal moment where many are still unsure if it can survive without Peter Krause.
Whereas Buck’s early years as a firefighter were filled with chaos and cocksure snark, Ravi already stands in compelling juxtaposition due to his doubts.
It’s not as if the promotion would be unfounded. Ravi put his entire life on the line during9-1-1: Contagionwhen he went against direct orders from the U.S. military. Later on, Ravi admits he was planning on resigning from the 118, making his unwavering loyalty all the more honorable. Whereas Buck’s early years as a firefighter were filled with chaos and cocksure snark, Ravi already stands in compelling juxtaposition due to his doubts. The procedural could use his insecurity as the springboard for a deeply personal narrativeif9-1-1would only give Anirudh Pisharody the spotlight he deserves.
Simply put,Ravi has earned a permanent role in9-1-1. Allowing a fresh face to become a main character isn’t just the natural progression of his character development; it’s the key to9-1-1avoiding redundancy and maximizing its longevity. It would be devastating for9-1-1to miss out on hitting the 10-season mark because it grew stale and did nothing to liven things up (shock-value character deaths notwithstanding). Elaborating on Ravi’s character could be the first step9-1-1takes to usher in a new era, but it would also garner pure interest and excitement— exceedingly rare commodities these days.
