Oliver Stark Opens Up About ‘9-1-1’ Season 8 and the Fractured 118
The 118 team is reeling from the shocking death of Captain Bobby Nash in the Season 8 finale of ‘9-1-1’. The team of firefighters found out about the tragedy separately, with each member struggling to come to terms with the loss. According to an interview with Oliver Stark, who plays Evan "Buck" Buckley, the character is still reeling from Captain Bobby’s final words: "You’re going to be OK, Buck. Remember that. They’re going to need you. I love you, kid."
As reported by TODAY.com, the last two episodes before the finale followed the characters through the funeral and their return to work. Each person has seemingly spiralled in a different way. Chimney, played by Kenneth Choi, was the recipient of Bobby’s ultimate sacrifice. In the lab, they both were infected with a dangerous virus, but Bobby hid his symptoms. The only antidote was used to save Chimney’s life, and Bobby succumbed to the virus.
Stark tells TODAY.com that Buck is interpreting Bobby’s last words as a task he’s been charged with. "He’s tried to be – the way I’ve always interpreted it is, he’s tried to step into the Bobby role," Stark says. "Not by any means captain, but in the sense of, they’re going to need somebody to say, ‘We’ve got to get through this.’" However, as the penultimate episode revealed, Buck has felt the team slipping away.
The disconnect between characters came to a head in Episode 17, when Buck and Eddie, played by Ryan Guzman, had a fight that started over who was supposed to get the groceries and ended with Eddie accusing Buck of making his new job opportunity with an El Paso fire department all about himself. "You’d make it all about you. The trials and tribulations of Evan Buckley, a tragedy in 97 acts," Eddie said. "You’ve been spiraling since the funeral. And no one knows how to talk to you about it."
Stark unpacks what he believes Bobby’s final words to Buck mean and what’s at the heart of the most recent fight between Buck and Eddie. "I think it’s the idea that everybody’s experience is their own," he says. "We’re all looking at things from our own point of view. So Buck doesn’t necessarily know that Eddie has gone to Hen’s house to have these conversations. All Buck knows is something feels different."
The fight between Buck and Eddie, which hasn’t happened since Season 3, was a new ground for Stark and Guzman to work with. "I’ll argue with Ryan all day, that’s no problem," Stark jokes. "The whole cast, we have such a truly great relationship. Everybody is really close, and there’s so much trust that it’s easy to go to places with each other, because you feel safe as a performer and as a friend."
Stark also opens up about his approach to playing Buck, who has been searching for something throughout the series. "I think in the early seasons, it was clear that Buck was always trying to, whether it be prove himself, or there was just an uncertainty in everything he did, an insecurity," he says. "And I think Buck had a case of that, and so when the question of his bisexuality was brought to me, it’s like, ‘Yeah, that could be the thing.’" However, Stark believes that Buck has become more settled and grounded, especially after the discovery of his bisexuality in Season 7.
The finale of ‘9-1-1’ Season 8 will air on ABC on May 15 at 8 p.m. ET and stream the next day on Hulu. With the team still reeling from the loss of Captain Bobby Nash, it’s unclear what the future holds for the 118. One thing is certain, however: Buck will be there to lead the team, as Captain Bobby instructed him to do.
As the team navigates their grief and tries to move forward, Stark believes that Buck will continue to play a crucial role. "I don’t think he’s looking for himself in quite the same way," he says. "But, I mean, I assume Buck is my age, so early to mid-30s, and still figuring some stuff out about his life and what he wants to do and be. There will always be similar questions, but I think they’re coming from a calmer, more settled place."
The dynamic between Buck and Eddie will likely continue to be a central theme in the show. According to Stark, the two characters have a deep history, and their friendship is complex and multifaceted. "Some people love to go to work, and everybody’s process is different," he says. "Some people want to feel that in real life, right? Like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to talk to you between takes. We’re going to let this really build.’ But I think what has been the theme for our cast is, no, let’s have as much fun as we can, so that then when we go into these darker scenes, we can really go at each other, and we still know that afterwards, we’re friends."
The loss of Captain Bobby Nash has left a gaping hole in the 118 team, and it will be interesting to see how the characters navigate their grief and try to move forward in the future. With Stark’s insights into Buck’s character, fans can expect a deeper exploration of the show’s themes and characters in the future.
In conclusion, the 118 team is facing a new reality without Captain Bobby Nash, and Buck is trying to step up and lead the team. With his interpretation of Bobby’s final words and his own personal struggles, Buck is navigating a complex emotional landscape. As the show moves forward, fans can expect a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships, particularly between Buck and Eddie. The finale of ‘9-1-1’ Season 8 is set to air on ABC on May 15 at 8 p.m. ET and stream the next day on Hulu.
