9-1-1 season 7 finale, however, and Eddie chose to consider relocation in the midseason finale.

9-1-1 season 9 is another question, but season 8 may be Ryan Guzman’s swan song. This would open the door for a neglected character to be promoted to main-cast status.

Eddie Moving To Texas Would Leave A Gap In The 118

Eddie Has Been A Core Member Of The Team

It’s reasonable to blame Brad Torrance (Callum Blue) for Eddie’s 9-1-1 exit if it happens, since their heart-to-heart in season 8, episode 8 (“Wannabes”) is what gave him the idea to go in the first place. Still, Eddie has many valid reasons to leave. If he does, it will leave a void in the core 118 team that will need to be filled sooner rather than later. Just like Abby in 9-1-1 (replaced by Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Maddie) or Grace in 9-1-1: Lone Star (replaced by Jackson Pace’s Wyatt), someone will have to take up the mantle left by Eddie.

Eddie's move to Texas would come after 9-1-1's Texan spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star, airs its series finale on February 3.

In a way, Eddie’s exit could be good for 9-1-1 season 8. If Eddie stays in LA without reconciling with Christopher, it would sacrifice the heart of his character. Eddie has always been a father above all else, and if Christopher can’t return, it’s only logical for Eddie to meet him there. In fact, the aftermath of 9-1-1 season 7 almost demands that Eddie follow through on moving. Though painful, it would kickstart many fruitful new storylines, like Buck’s (Oliver Stark) reaction to losing his best friend or the 118 adjusting to a new— or old— firefighter in his role.

Ravi Is The Perfect Character To Replace Eddie In 9-1-1 Season 8

Ravi Would Breathe New Life Into The 118

A fan-favorite character who has been absent in season 8 is Ravi Panikkar (Anirudh Pisharody). Ravi started as the 118’s “probie” (probationary firefighter) in 9-1-1 season 4, and he went on to appear in nearly every episode of season 5. Just like Eddie, Ravi was present for some of the most intense disasters in 9-1-1. Buck even trained Ravi to potentially be his own replacement. Though both Buck and Ravi stayed, that scene confirms Ravi can now replace Eddie in 9-1-1. Buck and Eddie often work in tandem, meaning everything Buck taught Ravi is transferable to Eddie’s role as well.

Although Ravi didn't get to work with Brian Thompson’s Gerrard in 9-1-1, he’s already familiar with the working dynamic of the 118 under its rightful captain, Bobby Nash (Peter Krause). It’s odd that he was absent, given that Ravi was standing with the main characters in the final scene of season 7’s finale, indicating that he’d have a bigger role in season 8. Aside from filling a vacancy, Ravi taking Eddie’s spot would explain why he hasn’t been included in storylines for the first half of 9-1-1 season 8, since he would be a major focus in the next episodes.

Why 9-1-1 Still Needs To Bring Back Ravi Even If Eddie Ends Up Staying

Ravi Has Untapped Potential

If Eddie opts to stay or 9-1-1 replaces him with a new character entirely, Ravi still needs to return to season 8. Aside from having a great relationship with the main characters, Ravi would allow 9-1-1 to explore new plotlines and backstories without needing to start from scratch. Many TV shows have had side characters become protagonists, and Ravi has all the making of a stellar main cast member. The little that’s been revealed about the character has already been intriguing, but 9-1-1 has failed to capitalize on Ravi's potential.

Everything that happens to Ravi is harrowing enough for a full episode, but he’s been confined to the sidelines.

Ravi has had some episodes that feature him prominently and a few stolen scenes, like when he opened up about his childhood cancer or got caught up in the prison lockdown (“Brawl in Cell Block 9-1-1”). When Ravi returned to season 6 after a brief hiatus, he revealed he was traumatized after a rescue went awry. Everything that happens to Ravi is harrowing enough for a full episode, but he’s been confined to the sidelines. If Ravi returns to 9-1-1 season 8, he doesn’t need another complex explanation for his absence: the show would benefit just from his long-awaited presence.

9-1-1 returns on Thursday, March 6 on ABC.